Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

Nutrition & Therapy

“My work with my dietitian has greatly improved my quality of life! She has helped me to overcome malnourishment and significant food avoidance. My dietitian’s kind and professional demeanor make each session productive and enjoyable. Her in-depth knowledge of food exposures and ARFID treatment has been evident since I began working with her. She is supportive and encouraging and has met each of my food aversions with understanding and gentle encouragement. ”

— Bamboo Client

What is ARFID?

Avoidant-Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, or ARFID, is characterized by intensely restrictive or selective patterns of eating that are not connected with body image or the desire to lose weight, but nonetheless can seriously impact one’s life.

People with ARFID may restrict food due to sensory sensitivities, such as the desire to avoid certain textures, smells, or colors. For others, food avoidance may stem from fear of choking or vomiting. Still others may simply not register hunger cues; eating is a chore and food just isn’t appealing. Many people experience some combination of these presentations.

Do I or a loved one have ARFID?

Do you (or your loved one)....

Experience aversions to food which has led to undesired weight loss? (Or, in children, lack of expected weight gain?)
Feel limited to eating only a small variety of foods?
Feel anxiety around meal times, or around exposure to new foods?
Have to carefully plan for meals, because flexible eating is difficult?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have ARFID, a feeding disorder, but only a thorough assessment from a trained therapist or psychologist can determine for sure.

consult with an ARFID provider

side effects & symptoms of ARFID

ARFID can pose serious health concerns due to risk of malnutrition or nutritional deficiencies, which then further exacerbate symptoms.

You may feel…

Dizzy
Fatigued
Low energy
Vitamin deficiencies can impact how food tastes or smells
Malnutrition can cause further discomfort when attempting to eat a normalized meal
Adolescents with ARFID may not grow or start menstruation as expected.

ARFID can also have a significant impact on family or social life. You may feel that you have to miss out on restaurants or social events due to worries about food. Caregivers may struggle with how to best understand and support their child or loved one. Vacations or social events may become major stressors due to the need to carefully plan menus.

At Bamboo Nutrition & Therapy, we recognize that ARFID is not “just picky eating;” it is not a choice or something someone can just “snap out of.” Without treatment, ARFID symptoms tend to continually worsen over time. But there is hope! With an informed and supportive team, you can reclaim freedom with food. Your therapist and dietitian will work together with you to develop a personalized treatment plan, which may involve clarifying your values and goals, and participating in planned and supported exposures to increase mastery and comfort with food.

WHAT TO EXPECT During the INITIAL SESSION

The initial session involves a meeting with one of our providers where you simply get to tell your story–as much or as little as you feel comfortable. While working with a therapist, we may ask you about your symptoms or relationship with food, but we will also ask about other things in life: your hopes, passions, goals, other mental health concerns, and relationships. You are also welcome to ask us anything you need during this time to feel confident in our partnership together.

While working with a registered dietitian, we will explain the concepts of ARFID treatment and what we will tackle first. Your dieitian will assess intake, potential nutrition-deficiencies, and how to set goals together.

If you don’t yet have an established care team, we will assist in setting you up with specialized providers to help ensure medical stability while we work together.