ARFID can make eating feel stressful, uncomfortable, uninteresting, or even frightening. You may have a very limited range of foods you feel able to eat, struggle to eat enough, or avoid foods because of their taste, texture, smell, temperature, or appearance.
For some people, eating feels like a chore because hunger cues are limited or food are uninteresting and unappealed. For others, avoidance develops around fears of choking, vomiting, having an allergic reaction, becoming sick, or experiencing another negative consequence of eating.
Unlike many other eating disorders, ARFID is not primarily driven by concerns about weight or body shape. However, it can still have a significant effect on nutrition, physical health, energy, growth, relationships, travel, and the ability to participate comfortably in everyday activities involving food.
Avoidant/restrictive Food Intake (ARFID)
ARFID is more than being a “picky eater.” Treatment can help you understand what is making eating difficult, gradually expand flexibility and variety, and make nourishment feel more manageable with nutritional and medical support when needed.
What this can look like
Eating a Limited Range of Foods
Relying on limited range of preferred foods and avoidance of certain textures, smells, or colors of food. The list of preferred foods is smaller than disliked foods.
Not Feeling Interested in Food or Eating
Having little interest in food, rarely feeling hungry, forgetting to eat, or finding eating more like a chore than something you naturally want to do. These experiences aren’t driven by concerns about weight or body shape.
Fear of Something Bad Happening When You Eat
Avoiding certain foods or eating situations because you’re afraid of choking, vomiting, getting sick, experiencing an allergic reaction, having stomach discomfort, or another upsetting consequence.
Difficulty Getting Enough Nutrition
Eating a limited amount or variety of food can make it difficult for your body to get the nutrition and energy it needs. This may contribute to weight or growth changes, nutritional deficiencies, low energy, or needing additional nutritional support.
Food Getting in the Way of Everyday Life
Eating may make restaurants, travel, school, work, celebrations, or meals with other people stressful or difficult. You might avoid plans involving food, bring your own food, or feel embarrassed or anxious about eating around others.
Wanting to Eat Differently, But Feeling Stuck
You may want to eat a wider variety of foods or feel more comfortable around eating, but anxiety, sensory discomfort, low interest in food, or fear can make change feel much harder than simply “trying something new.”
Eating Doesn’t Have to Feel This Hard
When eating has felt stressful, overwhelming, uninteresting, or even scary for a long time, it can be difficult to imagine things feeling different. ARFID treatment can help you better understand what makes eating difficult for you and gradually work toward greater comfort, flexibility, and confidence around food.