What Is ARFID? Understanding Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

Written By Aimee Andrews

If your child struggles with eating and it feels bigger than typical picky eating, you may have heard the term ARFID and wondered what it really means.

ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is an eating disorder that affects children and adolescents whose difficulty with food is driven by fear, anxiety, or sensory sensitivity, not concerns about weight or body image.

For families, ARFID can feel confusing, frustrating, and overwhelming — especially when well-meaning advice like “just take a bite” or “they’ll eat when they’re hungry” doesn’t help.

How ARFID Shows Up in Kids

Children with ARFID may:

  • Avoid many foods or entire food groups

  • Eat only a small number of “safe” foods

  • Become anxious, panicked, or distressed around meals

  • Fear choking, vomiting, getting sick, or the texture of food

  • Struggle with strong sensory reactions to smell, taste, or appearance

These behaviors are not defiance and not a choice.
They are driven by a nervous system that is working overtime to protect the child.

ARFID Is Not the Same as Picky Eating

Picky eating is common in childhood and usually improves over time.
ARFID is different because it:

  • Interferes with nutrition, growth, or daily functioning

  • Causes significant anxiety or distress

  • Does not resolve with typical parenting strategies

Children with ARFID often want to eat differently but feel stuck because their brain is sending false danger signals about food.

Why Food Feels Dangerous to the Brain

In ARFID, the brain’s alarm system becomes overly sensitive.
Even when food is safe, the brain may react as if there is a real threat.

This can lead to:

  • Gagging or nausea at the sight of food

  • Panic at the table

  • Strong “I can’t” reactions

  • Avoidance that feels automatic

The goal of therapy is not to force eating, but to help the brain learn new, safer rules about food.

How Therapy Helps ARFID

Effective ARFID treatment focuses on:

  • Understanding how anxiety affects eating

  • Teaching children how to calm their body and brain

  • Challenging anxious thoughts in a child-friendly way

  • Practicing brave steps toward food at a safe, gradual pace

At Healthy Minds Counseling & Wellness, we use a CBT-based approach that is playful, supportive, and developmentally appropriate. Kids learn that:

  • They are not “bad” or “picky”

  • Discomfort does not mean danger

  • Bravery can happen one small step at a time

The Role of Parents

Parents are a crucial part of progress with ARFID. Therapy includes:

  • Parent coaching

  • Home strategies that reduce pressure

  • Tools to support calm, confident mealtimes

When parents understand ARFID, they can shift from power struggles to partnership — helping their child feel safer around food.

When to Seek Support

If your child’s eating struggles are affecting:

  • Their health or growth

  • Family life or daily routines

  • Emotional well-being

It may be time to seek professional support. Early intervention can make a significant difference.

You Are Not Alone

ARFID is more common than many families realize, and help is available. With the right support, children can learn to trust their bodies, quiet food fears, and build confidence around eating.

If you’d like to learn more about ARFID treatment or our Brave Eaters Club™ (Ages 7–11), we’re here to help.

Aimee Andrews

With over 25 years of experience supporting children, teens, and families, Aimee brings deep compassion, clinical expertise, and a strong community connection to her counseling practice. She earned her Master’s degree from the University of South Florida and began her career as a certified school counselor, where she developed a strong foundation in child and adolescent development, family systems, and trauma-informed care.

Aimee specializes in working with young people and families navigating trauma, life transitions, anxiety, and behavioral challenges. Her unique ability to connect with children and teens—combined with her years of experience—makes her a trusted partner for families seeking meaningful support and healing.

As a mother of three and a longtime resident who has lived in the community for over 30 years, Aimee understands the local values and the importance of strong, healthy families. She is an active community volunteer and passionate about creating safe spaces for children and teens to grow and thrive.

Aimee’s warm, client-centered approach focuses on building resilience, strengthening family relationships, and empowering each client to move forward with confidence and hope.

https://www.healthyminds-counseling.com
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