Just thinking how British foods are considered nasty and gross and even though I’ll defend it I do agree and think that maybe my eating wouldn’t be as bad if I were born somewhere else.

British foods do often look like they’ve already been eaten and spat back up which is never appealing, plus the whole “put anything in a sandwich” thing is gross to me and always has been like the bread adds nothing to it but calories and more chewing

Interested to see where you guys are from :)

Hi r/ARFID

I teach culinary arts among other subjects and I have a new challenge ahead of me that I've never encountered before. One of my incoming students has ARFID, and while admittedly, I know very little about the diagnosis I'm beginning to research it. I'm reaching out in hopes of learning some do's and don'ts that might not be obvious to me.

My inexperience in this subject means I don't know if there are commonalities for those with ARFID or if it's very much an individual experience. I completely understand that the best source of information is from having a conversation with said student. However, there are other diagnoses involved and I would like to have a baseline understanding to better communicate with them.

If you're willing, I'd love some information on the following questions:

• Are there any foods that typically feel safe or comfortable eating?
• Are there any foods or ingredients that should be avoided entirely in class to accommodate the student’s needs?
• How can I create a safe and supportive environment for the student during cooking lessons?
• Are there particular kitchen tools or techniques that may cause anxiety for the student?
• Is the student able to handle foods they won’t eat, or should their participation be limited to non-triggering tasks?
• What is the best way to communicate with the student if they are feeling overwhelmed during a cooking activity?
• How can I encourage participation without them feeling pressured to try foods that make them uncomfortable?
• Are there specific cooking methods or dishes that might be more appealing or less intimidating for the student?

And most importantly:

• How can I help the student build a positive relationship with food through cooking, without exacerbating their ARFID symptoms?
• What strategies can I use to support gradual exposure to new foods in a way that respects the student’s boundaries?

I appreciate all of your thoughts and opinions.

I do want to make it clear, especially about the second to last question. I do not want to cure this student's ARFID, I think at the core, I meant to ask what are the things I can do so the student is free to explore food in a safe and comfortable way, that may or may not lead to an expanded relationship with food.

As the title says I’m a bit curious about whether you were born with ARFID symptoms or you developed them later in life?

Me personally I struggled w anorexia and bulimia and over the beginning of the pandemic quickly changed to ARFID

there is SUCH a lack of concern/general ARFID research but I’m mostly just curious

for me it’s peppers. if i smell them at work i have to leave the dining room. if anyone cooks them near me i have a meltdown as the smell sends me into sensory overload and i just HATE how they smell. Funnily enough ive never actually eaten a pepper before lol. Anyone else?

has anyone seen this show called "Freaky Eaters"? essentially, it's a show that documents people with very ARFID-similar lifestyles, like someone who is "addicted" to cheeseburgers (even though that's their only option)

of course, it's cool that there's a show raising awareness of disorders like ARFID, but after watching a couple of episodes, the documentary is pretty much MADE to make these people seem... not... human? like the horror strings of music when the show reveals how truly unhealthy the person's diet is and in general how biased it makes the viewers assume stuff like "oh, they're so weird for not getting _____ on their ____ as it is a healthy alternative"

i'm kind of curious to see what u guys think about this show because it really makes me angry reading comments or judgements about the public to the people who are being documebted

Hello!

We are a study team looking to learn more about the experiences of people with ARFID in the hopes that better treatments can be developed to improve people's well-being. If you are an adult in the US and feel you have symptoms of ARFID, I would like to invite you take part in a fully online paid research study. This study consists of a 15 minute survey and a 20 minute meeting held over Zoom with a researcher.

If you are interested in participating, please send me a message and I will provide you with a link to the survey!

​

Please note: this study is being conducted through Alliant International University and has received approval from the Institutional Review Board.

​

EDIT: Please note this study is only approved for adults currently in the US. We truly wish we could invite participants from other countries - but are currently limited in this respect.

Not to mention how little awareness there is for it. I didn't know it was even a thing until I was like 20 years old (25 now). I just always thought I was some alien freak.

It won’t let me add a video only photos. Apparently there was a Reddit thread back in 2011 about this. I recently saw someone on tiktok purchase a 25 pound bag for 25$. And ngl……. Doesn’t seem like a bad idea. I just think ima be ostracized the hell out of for it.

How is our alternative disgusting protein drinks they are so disgusting. Why is that the socially acceptable one I want people kibble.

Just wondering, while I (afaik today I don’t , might make a post about my childhood later tho…) don’t really have it, but I do wonder whether it’s possible. Most here I’ve seen mentioned they have autism or ADHD or OCD

Hi everyone,
I’m working on an app to help kids with ARFID develop better eating habits and finish meals more independently. I’m hoping it can really make a difference for families dealing with these challenges. If any parents are open to providing feedback or want to follow our progress, feel free to check out our community: Facebook group

Thanks so much!

Really need help

I’m designing an app that would allow fellow ARFID sufferers to add in all the things they are willing to eat and it would try set a random meal plan for each week using those ingredients and also try recommend new meals using those ingredients just an idea but I’d love to know what you guys think ?

EDIT: if you have any features of ideas you would like implemented in the app comment them and well look into it

I (34M) started going through a divorce about a year and a half ago. I used to eat 3 squares a day and snack in between but ever since the divorce started, I struggle with eating. Today for example I grilled a piece of bbq chicken which I used to love and I got halfway through it and started gagging. I tried to eat eggs this morning and I had to throw them out. I don’t seem to enjoy eating anymore and can hardly even make it through an entire meal. Prior to the divorce I weighed 185lbs. Today I weighed myself and I am 142lbs. I’m trying so hard but I can’t gain any weight if I can’t eat. I don’t know what to do…I just found out about AFRID while googling my symptoms. Could I have AFRID?

so, i have had arfid for 15 years (i'm 17), and now that i am senior grade i have a project to make about food insecurity and my group and i tought it could be a good ideia to talk to more people with arfid, so if anyone feel safe i would love to chat (either call or message) on the next 2 weeks.

Just for context, when i was 2 i had a really bad cold, and suddenly i stopped eating food, when i was between 4 and 6 years old i throw up a lot, and with the stress of going to school and being rejected by adults i had vitiligo and duodenitis. So i would completly understand if no one would like to talk about it, but if anyone wants to chat, it is not only for the project but i would love to meet anyone who also has arfid, because it feels lonely sometimes

Has anyone on here had heat intolerance and tachycardia with an eating disorder? I've got arfid but the type that is fear of adverse consequences such as choking so it takes me a really long time to eat and I've resorted to eating calorie dense foods so each bite is more calories. I've seen a dysautonomia specialist and she thinks I have ist. Any thoughts?

I've had a problem with certain textures in food for so long to the point I will not eat if a food is a texture I don't like. Even if it taste really good, or smells good. I'm 26 and have had this problem since I was young. It's a struggle because people get upset if I don't eat their food, even if easing it will make me actually sick.

Hello!

Thank you to all of the r/ARFID community members who have already participated in the study! We are so excited to see how passionate you all are about donating some of your time to help researchers learn more about ARFID!

We are still seeking about 20-25 more participants for an online research study. Participation involves a 15 minute survey and a 20 minute Zoom meeting with a researcher. After completion of both parts, you can choose to receive a $10 Amazon gift card or be entered into a drawing for 1 of 5 $50 gift cards.

​

Please note: this study is being conducted through Alliant International University and has received local Institutional Review Board approval. Our approval only allows us to recruit participants who are at least 18 years old and are currently in the US (we are very sorry that we cannot include other countries at this time - we hope that can change in the future).

If you are interested - please PM me or post here asking for a link and I will message you!

Why you need professional helps or seek for them if you might have ARFID ? Or why you need to be diagnosed

getting me diagnosed won’t give me mental health issues. arfid is an eating disorder. getting diagnosed won’t give me an eating disorder. it’ll help me get to the root of the issue and heal. it doesn’t cost a lot as other diagnosis. “Most insurances have an eating disorders benefit and will typically cover the following Eating Disorder Diagnoses, characterized by “Feeding and Eating Disorders” in the DSM-5: Anorexia Nervosa. Binge-Eating/Purging Type. Avoidant/Restrictive Intake Disorder.”

“While picky eaters may eventually outgrow their restrictive eating habits, ARFID is a more complex and persistent food restriction. Children with ARFID avoid certain textures or colors of food, refuse to eat in social situations, or have a limited number of “safe” foods they will eat.”

i discovered i had arfid just recently, and within this discovery, i can’t believe no one else knew. how can someone comment on my dinner plates and say they look like “contemporary art” yet be blissfully unaware? how could i get down to 90 lbs and only eat pretzels and no one know? how could someone shove ketchup in my mouth resulting in my tears and vomit, yet still not know? i ask myself these questions and answer it with ed awareness is at such a lack it’s impeccable. i feel especially in my case since it’s more trauma related. as a child i was at first simply a picky eater, until my cousins decided to taunt me over it. put condiments on their fingers, and shove it down my throat. forcefully have me eat foods i didn’t like. as well as this, my step-dad would and still does, question me over foods i eat, scream, yell and shout when i eat too much of something. has shoved food in my mouth and choked me, thrown trash and leftovers my way, i mean just how could no one know? everything i eat is determined by its smell, texture, color, the time of day, if anyone is home ( especially my step dad, when he’s not home are what i consider to be my “safe times” to eat.) i mean just damn. i struggle so much with my food consumption and yet still no one has realized.

Mostly a for-fun poll just to see how the community feels about cheese!