One common question I get asked is “why am I struggling to eat?” or “why am I dropping safe foods?” often the answer is something is impacting felt safety of the food or your body. Felt safety or a regulated nervous system is a basic and fundamental human need.  Those who are struggling with eating differences or ARFID are often disproportionately impacted by factors that effect  felt safety. This can include but not limited to sensory differences, different forms of trauma, and systems of oppression.    It can be challenging to meet other basic needs ( i.e eating) when saf ..read more

Last month we held an educational support group on Appetite and ARFID that we got a lot of great response from. So much so we thought it would be helpful to share a little more on this topic to our readers and community! So what is Appetite versus Hunger? Appetite is a desire to eat that may occur with or without hunger. It can be psychological and/or emotional in cause. While hunger is a physiological sign indicating your body needs food/energy. Examples of psychological signs of hunger include trouble concentration, irritability (hanger), nausea, thinking about food, emptiness, feeling jitte ..read more

One question that comes up often in ​our support groups​ is how to talk with others about your ARFID. So if this is a question you have I hope these ideas/suggestions help you! 1.Share with individuals you are comfortable with. It may not feel safe to share with everyone in your life. Know that it’s ok to not to share your diagnosis at all and it’s also ok to share with those you feel safe around. 2. Share what feels comfortable. You may not be ready to share every detail of your diagnosis or experience. It also may be difficult to find the words or even know what to share with them. 3. Help t ..read more

When you think of meal planning the first words that come to my mind are a structured 3 meal, 3 snacks plan; recipes; cooking or meal preparation for all meals/snacks; “perfectly” plated meals. “Typical” meal planning often does not work or support the needs of those with ARFID. It may be too rigid for some who need a more flexible meal structure. Doesn’t support those who need more executive functioning support around meals and eating. It may be too overwhelming and make eating more inaccessible. So what does meal planning with ARFID look like? 1. VERY INDIVIDUAL! There is no one fits all ..read more

One of the first things I will work on with many of my clients is creating a food list! What is a food list? List of safe, tolerated foods/beverages put into categories based on preference, time to make, nutrition composition, or where food may be consumed etc. How the list is organized may vary depending on individual need. Why create a food list? May help with.. Decision making Reminders of potential food options List to give to caregivers/providers who may be supporting you around food. Selecting new foods to explore (If wanting to expand foods) What to think about when creating food ..read more

In the journey of healing and understanding one’s ARFID, individuals often find themselves facing unique challenges that can be overwhelming. However, there is an essential element that can make a significant difference: community. In this blog post, we’ll explore the profound impact of community on ARFID healing and recovery, highlighting the benefits of shared experiences, support, and understanding. Reducing Isolation ARFID can be an isolating experience. The fear of judgment or misunderstanding can lead individuals to withdraw from social gatherings and mealtime situations. This isolat ..read more

  When it comes to understanding and supporting individuals with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), there is no substitute for learning from those who have lived experience with ARFID and the challenges and triumphs of this eating disorder. In this post, we’ll delve into the importance of seeking understanding from FIDers (a term coined by Kevin Jarvis from @KevindoesARFID, meaning individual with ARFID) and how their experiences can pave the way for greater awareness, empathy, and affirming support. Unique Perspectives Individuals with ARFID possess an intimate understa ..read more

Disclaimer: The post is for informational purposes only.  Cannabis, a plant that contains substances THC and CBD, which have been found to help treat or reduce symptoms associated with ARFID including nausea, low appetite and anxiety(1,2,3) . A survey was created to better understand cannabis use and potential benefits among those with diagnosed or suspected ARFID. The survey included a total of nine questions and we received a total of 67 respondents. All respondents identified as having ARFID and using cannabis to reduce ARFID symptoms or using cannabis for another reason but it also he ..read more

This post is a follow up to Amandas first post sharing her ARFID story: ARFID + Emetaphobia and Becoming a Dietitian. In this post Amanda is sharing 5 ways she accommodates her life with ARFID and makes eating more accessible for her. She hopes these tips are helpful and give you some ideas of how to live with and accommodate ARFID in your own life. Author: Amanda Wagner (she/her) 1. I always keep my top safe foods in stock at my home. This includes my “I absolutely do not want to eat right now and everything sounds bad, but I know I need to eat” food. For me that is a few specific brands of v ..read more

Thank you Amanda for sharing your experience to help others feel less alone! In a follow up post Amanda will be sharing accommodations that have made eating more accessible for her.   Author: Amanda Wagner (she/her/hers) Trigger Warning: emetaphobia My name is Amanda and I am an avid competitive runner, a Registered Dietitian, and I live in Chicago with my husband + cat! I also happen to have ARFID. This is a very vulnerable post for me to write and share, but in doing so I hope that I can help others feel less alone and show that even people in the dietitian profession can develop ARFID ..read more