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Individuals struggling with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) sometimes get labeled as picky eaters, but in reality, they have a recognized eating disorder. ARFID causes people to have extreme food preferences that strictly limit the variety of foods they consume. The number and types of foods individuals with ARFID will eat are usually greatly outnumbered by the number of foods on their do-not-eat list.
These eating patterns create stress and strong emotions around food, plus increase the risk of developing nutritional deficiencies and extreme weight loss. If you or a loved one are struggling with food restriction, working with a registered dietitian who specializes in disordered eating can set you on the path to healing.
Unlike other eating disorders, individuals do not develop ARFID based on a fear of weight, a desire to lose weight, or a preoccupation with body image. The number one characteristic of ARFID is the perceived ability to eat only a small number of preferred foods. Restrictive food intake and food avoidance is often a result of sensory sensitivities and fears of gagging, choking, or vomiting.
ARFID typically begins in childhood, where it is usually misdiagnosed and mistaken for typical picky eating among youngsters. It’s less common, but ARFID can also develop during adolescence or adulthood.
Registered dietitians (RDs) are invaluable for ARFID treatment. They help people with this condition work through their food fears, increase their willingness to try new foods, and decrease sensory sensitivities through exposure to more foods. RDs will also consult with other healthcare providers, including you or your child’s primary care physician and other specialists, to ensure collaborative and comprehensive care.
The benefits of working with an RD go beyond improving diet quality. Regular sessions with an RD also improve the mental and emotional health of individuals with ARFID. Dietitians teach children and their caregivers techniques to help reduce stress and enhance enjoyment at meals, as well as tips for increasing exposure to feared foods.
RDs can also assess current nutrition status and any gaps in food groups that may lead to a deficiency. They can provide recipes and cooking tips and will recommend dietary supplements to support nutrient needs.
The first step in finding a qualified RD is looking for a registered dietitian specializing in disordered eating. Some RDs have additional training and certifications and may be certified providers through professional groups, such as the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) or the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP).
Once you locate a dietitian with experience treating individuals with ARFID, you’ll also want to check whether they have experience working with the age group in question, whether it’s children, adolescents, or adults.
Finally, the dietitian you select should make you feel comfortable, provide compassionate support, and use approaches that are compatible with your personal health goals. The bottom line? The more comfortable and trusting you feel toward your dietitian, the better your sessions and progress will be!
Here are some things you can expect once you start working with a dietitian:
Common difficulties for people with ARFID include:
An experienced dietitian can help you identify these challenges and offer customized solutions for improving nutrient intake, developing a healthier relationship with food, and managing negative emotions around food.
Long-term goals of ARFID treatment include improving physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The ultimate goal of nutrition counseling for ARFID is to improve eating habits and consume a more varied diet for better nutrition, overall health, and quality of life.
ARFID symptoms can be overwhelming, and recovery takes time, commitment, and patience. Dietitians help you stay positive on the journey to recovery and help you break down goals into realistic and attainable steps that build upon each other as you go. Progress may be slow, but every small step counts.
Regular follow-ups allow your dietitian to track progress by monitoring weight trends and reviewing eating journals and self-reported data. Together, you can adjust your eating goals and create meal plans as needed.
Ongoing sessions give you the opportunity to share which parts of your treatment plan are going well and areas where you may need more support to continue making progress. These check-ins also provide accountability and motivation to keep working toward your goals.
Trying to manage ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) on your own can feel like climbing a treacherous mountain, but working with a registered dietitian nutritionist can lessen the overwhelm. A dietitian combines nutrition expertise, education, and empathy to help you or loved ones set nutrition goals, learn strategies to manage ARFID symptoms, and enhance overall well-being.
Offices currently located in Syracuse, Buffalo, Albany, and Rochester, NY, but we see patients all across the country.
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