Eating & Body Image
ARFID
Also known as Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
Very limited eating driven by sensory sensitivity, low appetite or fear of consequences such as choking, rather than by body image.
What it can feel like
- A narrow range of accepted foods
- Distress or gagging around new textures
- Nutritional deficiency, weight loss or faltering growth
- Fear of choking, vomiting or stomach pain
- Mealtimes becoming a source of conflict
Not everyone has every symptom, and you do not need a label to deserve support.
Things that help
Change one variable at a time
New foods are more manageable when texture, flavour or appearance changes alone, rather than all three at once.
Remove pressure at the table
Pressure makes restriction worse. Keep safe foods available and put new foods nearby without requiring a bite.
Get the medical picture checked
Nutritional status matters more here than weight alone. Blood tests and dietitian input are useful.
Want to actually do these? Save them to your practices and tick them off as you go.
Add to my practicesWhen to reach for more support
Ask for a dietitian experienced in ARFID and a therapist. Early help with growth, nutrition and anxiety prevents long-term problems.
Often looked at together
Anorexia Nervosa
Restriction of food intake driven by fear of weight gain, leading to significantly low body weight and an intense focus on control.
Binge Eating Disorder
Recurrent episodes of eating a large amount in a short time with a sense of losing control, without purging, followed by distress.
Bulimia Nervosa
Cycles of binge eating followed by purging through vomiting, laxatives or over-exercise, usually with shame and a normal body weight.