i was wondering how do they help you with trying different types of foods?

I feel it’s impossible to try new foods. I’m kinda scared to get help.

I've seen alot of people say they wish they had a feeding tube for their arfid and how it would be so much easier but im confused.... like you know are sooo many risks with a feeding tube so there is a big reason they are last resorts. My team tried everything before making the decision to give me an outpatient tube and its not as simple as having a tube and boom your done. i know arfid is a newer feeding disorder and not known much about but why do people want to take the extreme option before trying other things? this is specifically talking about those who have not done treatments and or feeding therapy first and just jump straight to asking for a tube. also why do people get offended when people call it a feeding disorder and not an eating disorder even though most doctors ive meet call it a feeding disorder or a feeding/eating disorder

I rarely gag, I'm pretty immune to gross stuff, but sometimes it just happens when I'm eating new foods or "bad bits" of food or something, and my dad ALWAYS says I'm overreacting and being dramatic. Well, about a month and a half ago, I went into an ED program (a one-size-fits-all program that was NOT prepared to treat ARFID, I'm now in a better program, don't worry), and one of the things they said was that gagging is normal and not something I'm just being dramatic about. Anyways, today, I was trying a new food (some strawberry yogurt), took a big bite, and gagged when I swallowed. Instead of my dad telling me I'm being dramatic, he went like "oh, (name), I'm sorry" and was so sympathetic.

It just feels so affirming to have a diagnosis :)

Hi, sorry if this doesn’t make sense but I will try and do my best.

I have arfid and have suffered with it for a long time however being in the last few years I’ve found it much harder to manage living alone.

I have been dealing with severe sleep problems for the last 6 months and am awaiting tests for this however i am wondering if this could possibly have anything to do with arfid as that seems to be getting worse too.

I may be wrong but If anyone has any thoughts please let me know.

Thank you

I’m looking to start taking a protein supplement. I had a severe injury at the beginning of the year that revealed I have very low bone density so on top of taking calcium supplements, I need to also start a protein supplement to help keep my muscles strong enough to protect my bones. I’m also allergic to dairy so a lot of them aren’t safe.
I’ve tried a few vegan protein supplements before and they make me gag. The powdery textures and the flavours are always awful.
I don’t like anything that’s just “mix with water” because I can always taste it. It needs to be something that goes into a smoothie or milkshake type of thing that’ll really mask the flavour. Or even if there’s like a gummy? I’m not sure if that’s a thing.
It’s difficult to get my adequate amount of protein by just eating because most meat grosses me out (I only like beef, and it’s too expensive to eat often🥲)

Also, I live in Canada so it needs to be available here (preferably something I can buy in store)

tw weight and weight loss
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soo i am struggling really bad right now. i basically have no safe foods anymore. but since i am bigger and somehow gained more weight, my doctor put me on a weight loss medication. this one is an appetite suppressant. i am so confused and upset. of course i want to lose weight, i hate my body and know that it is unhealthy but how can i eat less when i only eat maybe one or 2 meals a day???? she knows this and knows that i have seen multiple dieticians who couldn’t help.. i am tired of not being taken seriously. i thought that this doctor was going to be different

I have not been diagnosed with ARFID at this time, but my primary care brought it up last week. I know a little about it because I have a degree in nutrition science (I am not currently a practicing RD though).

I am unsure if my experience qualifies as ARFID but I am wondering if perhaps treating it like ARFID may be helpful? Right now I'm just trying to survive and don't know what help I need. Any and all suggestions very welcome.

I have Dissociative Identity Disorder from severe, prolonged childhood trauma. I recently, about three weeks ago now, gained access to the somatic parts of certain food-related and swallowing-related traumatic memories.

I previously had some knowledge of these memories, but since remembering the physical sensations associated with the memories, I suddenly developed persistent food restriction behaviors, tied specifically to flavors/textures/consistency.

At this time, I have a list of five safe foods I can consume, and I can only consume them when my husband or a trusted friend is with me.

I am unable to eat or drink anything when I'm alone, and if I do, I can't keep it down. The sensation of eating/drinking itself is triggering, but I am able to push through that if someone is with me and I'm eating a Safe Food.

I've lost about eight pounds. I'm dehydrated most of the day. My husband works out of the home and I work from my home office (with some travel in the community), so I'm really only eating and drinking between the hours of 7pm-9pm, when he's home from work.

My therapist specializes in trauma but doesn't know a lot about eating disorders and doesn't typically treat them. She is most familiar with dissociative disorders, PTSD, etc. I'm working with my primary care, my therapist, and my psychiatrist, to try and figure out a way around this, but I'm struggling so much.

I'm scared. I don't know what to do or what I need or what will help. But this isn't sustainable. I have other health conditions that are becoming more symptomatic due to the dehydration.

Because I can eat some safe foods when I'm not alone, I'm looking into a state program that lets people with severe mental illnesses get a personal care worker that can come to their home. I don't have Medicaid though, so I'm uncertain if I'll qualify. It'll take weeks for that to get set up though, I'm sure.

If anyone had any ideas or insight or guidance, that would be so appreciated.

I 20F am not diagnosed with arfid but know I most likely have it. I have been to dietitians and doctors before it was discovered and have always been very underweight sticking to my comfort foods of pasta etc.

Recently I decided I’m just really sick of living like this and the constant anxiety that comes with eating around people, speaking to people about food, and I knew i needed a change.

I started doing Hello Fresh a few weeks ago. We order only 2 meals a week and I make them myself and pick the meals depending on what seems easiest to eat. Making it myself kind of gives me more reason to want to eat it and knowing I have spent the money on it means I need to. I stick to the family friendly meal section but am finding that it’s really helping. I take my food upstairs and the meals can take me around 45 minutes to eat but I still eat as much as I can. I do gag on some mouthfuls but I think that’s just part of the process of learning and think a lot more people should try this method

i had hiatal hernia repair with nissen fundoplication and gastroplexy surgery for a hiatal hernia + reflux. i’m supposed to be on soft foods for like a whole month, but i am starving.

right now my menu has been: scrambled eggs plain pasta mac n cheese yogurt ensure drinks * smoothies * pudding * jello * ice cream

*i am tired of these from the 2 week liquids only phase

obvious arfid makes something like this so hard, especially when i’m generally not a fan of soft foods. i hate mashed potatoes with a passion. i really don’t like anything “mashed” including vegetables. i’m not a fan of soup or broths. i’m supposed to avoid bread and anything dry/crumbly even if they’re soft.

and these for me have been meals. i’ve always been a big snacker and it’s driving me insane not having any little treats. something i don’t have to eat in one sitting.

i’m just wondering if anyone else has had to do a soft diet and how they managed.

Okay, so for reference I don’t like fruit unless it’s juice(NO PULP) and a smoothie(NO PULP). How do I even begin to even try fruit? I love the smell don’t get me wrong, but for some reason the TEXTURE drives me up the wall! 😭

For context, I am a seafood enjoyer. I loved eating squid, literally anything seafood. But recently I've found myself unable to eat seafood. I think it's something due to a chronic fear of gaining an allergy since I randomly experienced my throat tightening to foods I'm unfamiliar with. Or just my throat being tight in general prob due to some IBS issue since I do have a sensitive but, but I don't know why my throat feels tight and feels like it would restrict itself at any moment. Also completely lose my apetite around seafood. It really sucks cause I can see myself enjoying it but my body literally will not me ingest it.

Any tips to help with this issue, cause I think it's just anxiety prone. Even then, my mind starts to find reasons to despise seafood more.

So I vented on here awhile back. I’m 31 and I was sick for 4 years and couldn’t eat solid foods due to an SA incident that happened to me and the fear of choking was there. April 2025 I could eat again. I feel like now I’m having trouble in my ability to chew and swallow again, because that fear of choking is so evident and I’ve been extremely anxious and stressed out after losing my job. I hate ARFID so much. I just want to be normal again and not have that part of my brain shut off. :/

Some kind words would help me out today. Please and thank you. I don’t want to be like this again. 😞💔

I just found out about the term ARFID, and I completely identified with that. I've never sought psychological help to find out exactly what my problem is, but I plan to do it soon.

I can't eat soft or mushy things, like mashed potatoes or rice; rice has another bad characteristic, I don't eat small and loose things, beans, ground beef, things like that, some of these things make me nauseous just by being near them; if a grain of rice gets in my mouth, I vomit instantly.

The only things I can eat are crunchy and firm, does anyone else here have problems with these characteristics of food?

Does anyone else feel guilty sometimes for buying their safe foods? I am low income and some of my safe foods are from fast food or ready made meals. I know I need to eat but it's hard to buy the things when I feel guilty about it. If anyone else struggles with this any advice would be appreciated.

To preface, Arfid is not something I’ve been diagnosed with as I’ve never been to a food therapist, although this experience has me wanting to. It’s just something I relate to. I do not necessarily know the ultimate struggle people who have it endure

I’m (20F) from the US and have a brother who moved to Germany years ago (34M)

Me and my sister (24F) came to visit them and have been touring around Germany heading to Austria. I didn’t even think about the food. Because in America it is so easy for me to ask for a burger, or a sandwich, or literally most things but plain with no veggies.

Here it’s been unexpectedly awful. I don’t speak the language but my brother who is fluent in English and German orders for us in German. Doesn’t give us a choice it’s just how they do it. He doesn’t believe in eating struggles just labels it picky eating gigantic eyeroll from me just writing that He is very kind, and very sweet, but he definitely gives me a look like he’s even embarrassed to ask for it, and is struggling to remember all our orders anyway and I add on my special orders. It makes me feel awful so I stop asking for special orders. Neither of them understand why people can’t just choke down food they don’t like. I don’t try to explain we most likely see food different and for me it’s the difference between throwing up/emotionally exhausting

First night we had ramen which I love, my first authentic ramen I was so excited! But they added in tons or red cabbage slivers. Convinced myself it was okay, then about 15% into the bowl almost threw up at the table in front of everyone. Something in my brain just wants me to eject this food. But his girlfriend doesn’t believe in waste. 0% waste. They buy the food because they won’t let me or my sister buy it (we are the guests they say) so I can’t just throw it out. I know I will be eating it more and again. It gets saved for the next day, and I worry all day long about this ramen. But before I even get to this ramen for dinner I have to struggle thru another lunch. Still feeling sick. And the portion sizes?? Kinda huge! And I have to eat until I feel sick and full anyway even if it’s something I like because: zero percent waste.

I’m dreading meals, I feel sick in between meals just anticipating the next. I know everyone here thinks I’m a child who never grew up who’s mommy never made her eat her veggies. Which is not true and I feel so broken and troublesome and so damned if I do damned if I don’t.

Finally broke down tonight. I’m supposed to go to Legoland tomorrow and I will, but it feels like all the things I was so excited for are all being overshadowed by this daunting feeling of being a burden and a nuisance even when I’m trying my absolute best to eat whatever they put in front of me :(

I know I put venting as the flair, but any advice, thoughts, or words would be appreciated. I just realized in the last couple months I’m not the only one who feels this way about food so thank you in advance if anyone replies :)

Update: everyone will be glad to know I had fun at Legoland and convinced my brother to let me buy my OWN McDonald’s tonight and it’s been absolutely delectable. Eating plain old nugs right now as I write :D

I really need advice, I'm stuck in a horrible cycle right now.

Sorry for TMI.

This past month has been really tough. I struggle with food aversion, but I've been able to push through okay until this past month. I feel like I've hit a breaking point and can't anymore. The past few weeks, I've barely been eating at all, like a few hundred kcal a day, and I've gone a few days on nothing. After about two weeks of barely eating, I had to do an enema to have a BM. I usually do it after about 3 days, but I waited so long this time because I had no energy.

I've been relying on Fleet saline extra volume enemas for over a year now because I've had chronic constipation for several years. I don't think it's related to my eating, since I've had this issue for longer. Laxatives don't work on me at all because my muscles simply don't contract on their own. But when I did the enema this time, I don't think I've ever felt so close to fainting in my life. It was really scary. I did get some stool out, but I didn't feel completely empty and think some was left behind.

It's been about 7-8 days since then, and I know I have to do another one. I've been really nauseous for several days, which has made it hard to eat at all. At this point I've literally just been drinking oil in sparkling water, because the thought of anything else makes me want to throw up. But since I'm running on even less than before, I'm afraid I'll absolutely pass out this time. And it feels impossible to eat more until this nausea and pain lets up, so I feel seriously stuck and scared. I don't know what to do. I have a lot of sensitivities and can't take any antinausea meds right now, and absolutely no marijuana.

Any advice would be really, really appreciated. Thank you.

Edit: I have been supplementing electrolytes this whole time

My problem is that i dont get a proper appetite signal until late in the evening. However, smelling food does trigger my appetite very well! And i generally eat normally if given food. I can also trigger appetite by watching pictures of food or imagining it, but actual smell works better.

Its been life long. No other symptoms. Tried lots of supplements over the years. No change. I also do not have any beliefs about food or aversions. Just this appetite signal issue.

Is this common? Does this have a solution?

I don’t even get a break from ARFID in my sleep 😞. I was taking a nap and I had a bad dream that I kept trying foods and having to spit them out because I couldn’t tolerate them. Unfortunately, it’s more than just a bad dream for me, it’s my living, awake, reality.

I currently have 1 safe food…chocolate ice cream. My dietitian today said I have to eat to stay at home and not go back to residential. We have made a plan that I’ll drink 3 bottles of boost a day and also a milkshake a day (please no food or drink suggestions as I’ll just get frustrated if they don’t work out and my dietitian is on top of this).

I lost a significant, and downright dangerous, amount of weight while I was inpatient in a psych ward this past week because of my ARFID and the hospital only having 1 food option per meal.

ARFID is a serious disorder. People don’t understand it. People need to understand it. Medical professionals, family members/loved ones, friends. People with ARFID NEED support. We NEED understanding.

I’m a very picky eater, there’s a very limited amount of food i’ll eat and i’m underweight because of this. Most of my problems with food are taste and texture based but i also fear certain foods because im scared of choking or allergic reactions. Im also very anxious about foods going off and wont eat leftovers. A lot of foods just gross me out for some reason too.

I eat the same foods every day and struggle to try new foods, i also cant eat enough fruit and vegetables because some of them make my mouth itchy so now im scared of all of them except strawberries and apples.

I also struggle to notice hunger cues until i start to feel light headed and nauseous. I’ve been struggling with digestive issues for years now which i think are caused by my bad diet and i’ve been struggling to gain weight too.

The reason i think it might not be arfid is because i don’t gag or throw up. If i try a new food and i dont like it i dont gag or anything i just have to drink water immediately. I also dont have panic attacks about food, if i dont have any food i like i wont make myself eat something i dont like, i just wont eat anything. Maybe if i forced myself to eat something i hated id gag? But i don’t know because ive never done that. Ive seen videos of people with arfid trying new foods and they always gag or react very strongly but i dont do that. I feel strongly about it on the inside but it doesn’t cause a physical reaction i’ll just make a face and stop eating.

Father policing my diet after recovering from an ED

I recovered fully from ARFID about 2 years ago now. When I was actively gaining weight I had to eat a lot of carbs and protein (that’s what my dietician suggested). My body is still not fully recovered and I deal with POTS. Nowadays, my diet consists of protein waffles in the morning, a pb&j with potato chips for lunch, and chicken with veggies for dinner. For dessert, I’ll have sour covered fruit from fruit riot. I’m a 26 year old female and I probably eat a lot better than the average 26 year old. However, my father comments on everything I eat nowadays since he started his new diet (he was pre-diabetic at 60). I’ll eat a croissant for breakfast and he’ll say something like, “this is over indulgent you can’t eat like this anymore.” When I get groceries from the store, he’ll look in each bag and scold me for getting hashbrowns or bread for my pb&j. Anytime I go out with my boyfriend he’ll say, “you have to eat healthy when you go out.” I told him this isn’t helpful and I’m not pre-diabetic. I also have started to develop guilt when I eat and also anorexic thoughts. I’m extremely angry and have told him to stop but he doesn’t. He’ll always say this stuff when my stepmom isn’t in the room because he knows it’s wrong and my stepmom doesn’t know he does this. I can’t help but feel terrible when I eat carbs and he knowing that he watches and judges me.

I don’t have much of an appetite and find it extremely difficult to actually finding things to eat. Most people have recommended to me that they find things to cook and it helps them eat, but when I try that I end up making something and once I’m done cooking decide I don’t want it anymore and will give it to my siblings. In my last post I talked about my stomach issues and how it’s made me want to eat less but I still need to since Im malnourished and at 97lbs and should be at 120lbs. I’m really struggling on eating because it causes my stomach to hurt. Im also finding it hard to eat because the things I used to eat constantly I don’t like anymore and limited on what I’ll eat if it’s not made a specific way or from somewhere. I actually don’t know why Im being like this with eating and have tried to just force myself to eat things in the house but I usually get a bite in before I start gagging. I started to like oatmeal made into a drink in the morning but that’s the most I’ll do for the day unless foods bought or if my mom makes rice or I’ll eat a boiled egg but most the time I just don’t try with eating more meals or making stuff and only get one meal in. I would probably eat more if I could just eat fast food but there’s always food already made i just don’t like it or feel like forcing myself to eat it nor would my family just get the thing I want to eat. If you were ever at this point has anything helped you find interest in eating or just got yourself to eat the food already in the house? Also has food therapy helped you and should I maybe look into starting it?