Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Nutrition Therapy

Compassionate, evidence-based nutrition therapy for recovery and healing

Understanding ARFID

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is more than just picky eating. It’s a complex eating disorder involving persistent avoidance of food that results in nutritional deficiencies, weight loss (or failure to grow in children), or significant emotional distress. Unlike anorexia or bulimia, ARFID is not driven by body image concerns but rather by intense anxiety related to food itself — often due to fear of choking, vomiting, sensory sensitivities (taste, texture, smell), or past traumatic experiences with food.

ARFID can make eating feel frightening, overwhelming, and exhausting for both individuals and their families. Left untreated, it may severely impact growth, development, physical health, and social functioning. The good news: with targeted support, most individuals can expand their food repertoire, meet their nutritional needs, and learn to approach eating with much less anxiety and fear.

Signs & Symptoms

  • Limited variety of foods eaten (often very few “safe” foods)

  • Strong aversions to certain textures, smells, or temperatures of food

  • Fear of choking, vomiting, or GI discomfort when eating

  • Low appetite or lack of interest in food

  • Weight loss or poor growth in children

  • Nutrient deficiencies (iron, calcium, protein, vitamins)

  • Anxiety or panic around new or unfamiliar foods

  • Social withdrawal or distress at mealtimes

The Physical Impact

Anorexia affects every system in your body. Common medical complications include:

  • Cardiovascular: Bradycardia (slow heart rate), low blood pressure

  • Metabolic: Cold intolerance, amenorrhea, hypometabolic state

  • Gastrointestinal: Delayed gastric emptying, constipation

  • Bone Health: Osteoporosis and increased fracture risk

  • Neurological: Cognitive changes, obsessive thoughts, reduced concentration

  • Psychological: Emotional blunting, increased anxiety and depression

How I Support Your Recovery as Your Registered Dietitian

My Approach

As a registered dietitian specializing in eating disorder recovery, I provide comprehensive nutrition therapy that goes far beyond meal planning. My approach is:

  • Individualized: Every nutrition roadmap is tailored to your unique needs, medical status, and recovery goals

  • Collaborative: I work closely with your medical doctor, therapist, and psychiatrist as part of your integrated care team

  • Evidence-Based: Treatment follows established protocols while honoring your personal recovery journey

  • Compassionate: Creating a safe, non-judgmental space for healing and growth

What We Work On Together

Nutritional Rehabilitation

  • Meeting Nutritional Needs: Using creative strategies to ensure adequate energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals — even if initial food variety is limited

  • Fortification & Supplementation: Enriching familiar foods and introducing supplements where necessary to close nutrient gaps

  • Gradual Weight Restoration (if needed): Supporting growth or weight gain gently, while addressing fears tied to increasing intake

  • Medical Coordination: Working alongside your physician, speech therapist, occupational therapist, or feeding team when appropriate

Food Exposure & Variety Expansion

  • Individualized Food Hierarchy: Building a step-by-step plan based on your comfort level — starting with small exposures to less feared versions of familiar foods

  • Food Chaining: Linking new foods to existing safe foods using similarities in flavor, texture, or preparation

  • Sensory Desensitization: Addressing aversions to textures, smells, and temperatures through gentle exposure therapy techniques

  • Safe Environment for Trying Foods: Practicing exposures in session with real-time support, coaching, and zero pressure

Anxiety Reduction and Empowerment

  • Judgment-Free Support: Creating a compassionate space where fears around food are validated, not minimized

  • Building Confidence: Celebrating each small success to reinforce progress and self-efficacy
    Emotional Safety: Allowing full control over the pace of exposures — nothing is ever forced

  • Family Education: Coaching caregivers on how to support without pressure, creating calm and positive mealtime environments

What you can expect

Recovery from ARFID happens in small, steady steps. Progress is often measured not just in the number of new foods added, but in growing comfort and decreased anxiety around eating.

Weeks 1-4:

  • Initial trust-building with client (especially with children)

  • Identifying current safe foods and preferred textures

  • Developing a personalized food hierarchy

  • Starting low-stakes exposures (e.g., touching, smelling, or small tastes)

Months 2-6:

  • Gradual increase in food variety as confidence builds

  • Reduced anxiety before and during meals

  • Improved physical energy, growth, and nutrient status

  • More ease participating in family meals, school lunches, or social settings

Long-term Recovery:

  • Broad, sustainable variety of foods accepted

  • Less fear around trying unfamiliar foods

  • Ability to enjoy meals in a variety of settings without distress

  • Increased resilience, flexibility, and confidence with eating

Take the Next Step

Recovery from anorexia nervosa is possible, and you don't have to do it alone. If you're ready to begin or continue your journey , I'm here to help.

Natalie is a registered dietitian with a background in psychology and a deep commitment to supporting individuals through eating disorder recovery. She holds an honors degree in Psychology from UC Berkeley and a Master’s in Clinical Dietetics from NYU, with training in eating disorder care. Her approach is rooted in intuitive eating and weight inclusive care, blending clinical expertise with warmth and compassion. Natalie believes in helping clients build a peaceful relationship with food and body while supporting lasting, meaningful recovery.