ARFID & Picky Eating Counseling
Denville, NJ | Montclair, NJ | Virtual
Is it just picky eating, or should I be more concerned?
Do you dread social outings because you know your food choices will be slim-to-none?
Are you worried your child’s extreme picky eating could lead to nutritional deficiencies?
Or have you recently been diagnosed with ARFID and wonder what your next steps are?
If you said ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you’re not alone. People who struggle with picky eating in some regard, and especially those diagnosed with ARFID, tend to:
Feel lost with trying to expand food variety
Not know when to push their child to try a new food or when to let it go
Have a small handful of restaurants they feel safe enough to eat at
Order simple meals (like pizza or chicken tenders) when eating out anywhere
Worry their struggles with sensory aspects of food will never go away
But, there is hope.
Whether you’re looking for some parenting tips for working with picky eaters, wondering what a balanced diet is for someone struggling with picky eating or ARFID, wanting to increase your food options, or hoping to prevent your baby from becoming a picky eater, a registered dietitian can help.
Grace’s Approach to ARFID & Picky Eating
As with any form of disordered eating, Grace’s approach is non-diet, weight-inclusive, and as rooted in intuitive eating as possible.
During the intake session (60 to 75 minutes), Grace performs an in-depth analysis of your nutrition history, including any developmental difficulties or traumatic food experiences, and also gathers information on your relevant personality characteristics.
Whether your difficulties stem from a traumatic event (such as choking), having needed a feeding tube in the earlier years of your life, or simply having a hyper-sensitive sense of taste or smell, Grace can help you make actionable steps toward greater food freedom.
Work with Grace to construct a personalized game-plan to tackle your specific goals related to picky eating or ARFID. Interventions can include, but are not limited to, the following:
Nutrition and food science education
Food exposures
Conceptual deconstruction
Food chaining
Parent education on to keep food experiences neutral at home
Coaching to increase dietary variety outside of sessions
Grace provides a safe and non-judgemental environment in which to work on your difficulties with food. The pace of treatment is directed by you, and Grace offers support the entire way.
Learn More About ARFID
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, a diagnosis of ARFID can include:
An apparent lack of interest in eating or food
Avoidance of eating based on the sensory characteristics of food
Concern about adverse consequences of eating
Additionally, people with ARFID may suffer significant weight loss or nutritional deficiency, be dependent on a feeding tube or nutrition supplements (like Ensure or Boost), or have serious difficulties with psychological functionality as a result of their struggles with food.
Struggling with ARFID or picky eating can feel isolating. Whether you’re a parent feeling stuck in getting your child to eat at a restaurant, or you can count on two hands the number of foods you can eat, there is support for you.
Grace provides a safe, welcoming, and non-judgemental environment in which to explore your difficulties around food. Reach out today to learn more about how Grace can help you or your loved one take steps forward in your efforts to increase food variety.
“In any given moment, we have two options: To step forward into growth, or to step back into safety.”
— Abraham Maslow
