arfid
nutrition-focused arfid treatment programs for adults and adolescents
ARFID, or Avoidant-Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, is an eating disorder in which individuals consume only a very select, limited number of foods. Galen Hope’s experienced, registered dietitians provide individualized care programs that not only identify ARFID symptoms, but also result in effective treatment that transforms clients’ relationships with food and healthy living.
what is arfid?
Previously called selective eating disorder, ARFID is a specific type of eating disorder that should not be confused with ordinary picky eating. Individuals with ARFID often have a limited number of foods they will eat, frequently but not always related to texture, macronutrients (such as mostly carbohydrates), or brands of processed/packaged food.
ARFID often emerges in childhood, and can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies and growth problems. Without treatment, the condition does not simply go away in adolescence or adulthood—it can last a lifetime. ARFID is distinct from other eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, in that people with ARFID do not typically have a preoccupation with weight or body image. Anxirty disorders often accompany ARFID, and the condition is more common among those with sensory sensitivities or who are autistic.
While ARFID often emerges in childhood, it is also seen in adults who may have experienced food-related trauma such as choking, onset of a severe food allergy, or an illness that impacts appetite or creates physical discomfort. ARFID can have serious health risks, including the risk of serious nutritional deficiencies and the impact on growth and development in children. ARFID can also impact people socially on a profound level.
our approach to arfid treatment
Treatment for ARFID requires a savvy nutritional approach that differs from the “standard” nutritional interventions in eating disorder treatment settings, and it is important to work with a team who understands how to accommodate treatment for clients with ARFID.
At Galen Hope, our registered dietitians are well-versed in both the recommended modalities to address an ARFID diagnosis, as well as making accommodations for neurodivergent clients or those with severe food allergies and/or health concerns that may impact their relationship with food.