I have severe ARFID from an inflammatory brain disease and I had 0 intake for months. No food, no water, no meds, etc. I have been reliant on ng tube.

I have been receiving treatment for my condition and I was managing tiny sips of water, then I decided to try a specific brand of lemon cordial as I lowkey hate plain water. And, I love it! I've been just sipping on it heavily diluted throughout periods of the day and am feeling very little anxiety around it- I think this is my first safe drink!

Wanted to give you all some positive news. If anyone else has anything they want to share, please do! We can celebrate or encourage together 🤗🤗

Lmk suggestions of photos to put this caption over if u want

Please dont tell me this is a bug as I am very hungry.

I genuinely wanna cry, people act like we chooses to be like this. That we're just having an attitude and the diagnosis is just enabling the picky eating.

They expect people with Arfid to get over it and grow up.

Because the majority of people overlooked it as just that, people aren't able to get any help at all.

I'm literally not safe in my own house, if they ever found out that I might have Arfid they'd dismiss it and brought it up against me in every conversation.

Everywhere I go, doctors even treat it the same way, I couldn't even eat my safe foods out of same of being a selfish ungrateful bastard

I'm losing hope that there will be any support at all with this disorder, it affected me so much. It's another reason why I fallen into my depression.

Imagine no support, or anything in general for this. Just getting berated and treated like shit.

I know I'm not alone from how many people are with Arfid and the awareness but the majority always wins.

Is there even a place that's safe to even talked about this or even get diagnosed in the first place. Any support or resources?

Because it's like literally impossible, I can't comphrehend there even is.

Does anyone felt the same way? With the stigma around Arfid

Please dont tell me this is a bug as I am very hungry.

Love the awareness, though I'm not sure how I feel about it coming with a food accessory (bread isn't my best friend atm)

Thoughts?

Hi all. Has anyone navigated a fear of eating that became extremely severe and life-threatening?

I was recently hospitalised for an unrelated reason, and since then the fear that food is going to kill me has really heightened, to the point where my daily calorie intake is between 200-400. I have been deemed malnourished (this has been about 3 months now) and I have lost 45kgs. My body is starting to shutdown (circulation is withdrawing to core organs etc.). A recovery program isnt really an option because I need to go interstate (in Australia) as my state doesnt have any ED programs.

What sort of things have people found useful to regain some food intake?

HI all, I've asked a couple questions before. As someone whose partner has had a diagnosis for a long time I know more than the average person. In addition to arfid, my partner is also a super taster (measured at about 10X more taste buds than the average human) so even bland stuff tastes like getting hit in the face.

She NEEDS to be taking supplements. Especially important is B vitamins, and more so especially folate, thiamine and B12. The difficulty is that thiamine has a VERY strong flavor and odor (you can literally smell it from a few feet away wafting out of the bottle).

We have any reliable methods for taking pills while tasting and smelling ZERO of it? It seems even the slightest taste or smell just drives nausea.

Illustrated on mspaint (windows 11)

just tired and frustrated so drew a thing xD (i still haven't eaten all day)

TW: Non graphic memtions of vomiting

My arfid is getting bad again. Along with other mental health issues. Sleep late wake up late. Id end up eating at 5-7 pm. But even then not really. Then a stomach bug started making it way through the house. Most siblings are really sick. My mom got a health issue flare up. I got sick last night. I don't think it's the stomach bug because im missing one major symptom but its still awful. For me its probably ibs flare up and lack of eating.

Im afraid of throwing up. But im also not? Its confusing. I like the feeling of relief after throwing up but throwing up scares me. It makes me think im going to die. Im trying to eat light since I'm feeling awful but i don't like bland foods they gross me out but i can't eat anything too flavorful because its too intense right now.

I feel stupid. I need to eat bland safe foods to get better but i can't because that makes me gag even when im not sick! I don't want to eat. I think im spiraling. Normally i panic that i don't eat because people need food or they'll die. But now i just think so what if i die? At least i won't feel sick trying to make myself eat. I woke up early today too and i still haven't eaten. I drank tea and had a small taco plain tortilla just meat and no sauce or toppings. I figured itd be plain enough. It was really good. But after eating i felt so sick.

It's not fair. I could make myself even worse because my stupid body can't keep stupid food down.

I’m sorry to post suddenly like this but I am really worried about everything that has been going on recently and my attempts to reach the remaining members of my 'care team' have fallen on deaf ears (straight up ignoring my emails), and I’m having a significant decline in my nutritional intake and I’m not sure what level of support I need, and I’m not sure where else to ask for help. I am hoping you lovely people might be able to give me some guidance about the safest next step.

About two months ago I became sick and my calorie intake dropped significantly because of persistent nausea and food reactions that I’m currently trying to address with an allergist. My intake never recovered afterward. I was around 125 lb after residential (for refrence I was in reaidential for about 18 days in June and was having 500- 800 calories a day before I started eating therr and being monitored daily) and am now around 115 lb, and I have been unable to regain the weight. I was previously working toward the 2,000–2,500 calorie range recommended to me, but I am currently usually only able to manage about 800–1,000 calories per day, with occasional days around 1,100–1,200. My number of tolerable foods has also become very limited due to outside factors like the food reactions and my gi issues plus my own severe anxiety. Even eating 1,100 calories on accident last night had me spiraling.

My list of tolerated foods has also become very limited, and I currently cannot use the supplements I previously relied on due to another condition I have. I’m trying very hard to expand my intake again, especially once I have more clarity from the allergist, but I’m worried about whether my current weight loss and prolonged low intake put me at meaningful risk for refeeding complications if I increase calories again.

I do not currently have a dietitian or eating-disorder team monitoring me, and repeat labs or residential treatment are financially very difficult for my family and my self (I have talked to them multiple times and they straight up said we can not afford it again when I told them I was looking into assessment from another place to look into my eisk, but I have not hward back either and am quite frankly terrified as many of my symptoms due to my other condition could mimic refeeding ayndrome and I need to know what to do. I did go to the ER in the last week or so for other reasons and my blood qork came back fine aside from vitamin d deficiency, but Im vegan, so I expected that). I’m hoping you guys might be able to tell me whether, based on my history and current intake/weight loss, this sounds like something that could reasonably be managed with a cautious outpatient increase, whether you think I need medical monitoring while increasing, or whether you believe I should seriously consider a higher level of care again. 

I'm hoping for more advice than my mom telling me 'just eat' whenever I express concern given how my situation has progressed, as I truly do want to get better and was making progress before this all happened. I am more than willing to continue putting in the work once I know what needs to be done in terms of my health, as I do not want to risk making things worse through willful ignorance of ignoring the risks and hoping for the best. 

If you aren’t able to advise me directly, I would also be grateful for any suggestion about what kind of provider or level of care would be appropriate given the circumstances or direction to someone qho can accurately assess me and give me said recommendation. 

Thank you all for taking the time to read this. I really appreciate any guidance you’re able to offer and I hope everyone has a good day, take care of yourselves.

Recently ive been unable to eat at all without intense nausea and sometimes vomiting. I have emetaphobia which only makes this worse. I dont know if i might have something medical or if its just an intense fear which causes me to have a physical reaction

So yeah. I am 15f and autistic. I was never a ‘picky’ kid growing up sin steak and a few other things.
For the past couple years I’ve been so depressed to the point of hospitalization. When I am (which is pretty much constant) my sensory sensitivity get so bad. I don’t know if I would call it fear more the disgust of putting food in my mouth. I feel like I would eat whatever is put in front of me, but I can’t make myself order or make nutritious food. My family is on the go a lot so we eat out too much. Basically everywhere I go I get chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, a burger, or boneless chicken wings. I only eat dinner because I can’t deal with the sensation of food in the morning or lunch. I don’t think I’m eating that many calories but I’m gaining weight and I need to not do that. I need to lose at least 70lbs to be a healthy bmi. I just can’t get myself to eat healthy food.

Please give me advice.

I am a 21 year old who has struggled with ARFID throughout my life. As I have grown older, I have felt the effects of my lack of nutrition more and more, and it is getting to the point I cannot ignore it. I have an extremely limited pallate (as most of us do) to the point that I do not eat any fruits or vegetables, and I can only have a specific type of chicken nugget at a certain thickness to get any meat in. I also struggle with hydration.

Being on a college campus and intensely busy has worsened my nutrition intake. I am out all day (9 am to 11pm) and have short 15 minute passing time breaks throughout the day, with no real break for meals. I usually grab and go station and get a snack, but it is never anything healthy. I have basically survived off of snack foods and french fries, with the occasional chicken nugget or mac and cheese thrown in when I can find the time to make food for myself.

What supplements have helped you? What is a cheap but good option? I need to get some more vitamins and nutrients but I am really struggling and I am unsure what choices are actually good.

hi all, before i continue with this post, im not interested in hearing any negative comments about arfid, or any disregarding ones. keep that to yourself. i’m embarrassed to suffer from arfid to be honest, but im at my wits end now.

i’m in my early 20s, and i have struggled with arfid for genuinely as long as i can remember. as a child, i would throw fits and tantrums over food. so this is not due to parenting, my mum tried her absolute best.
but now that im older, for the last year or so I have genuinely been terrified that Im going to die within the next 10 years, either from a heart attack, diabetes etc. i dont know. my diet mainly consists of carbs, such as super noodles, bagels and pasta. i also eat eggs, which im thankful for tbh. i dont even like processed meat, it freaks me out.
but on top of that, i think im developing a binge eating disorder, i literally cannot stop eating even if im full sometimes and all i think about is food. i’ve recently been diagnosed with adhd and autism, so im not sure if that has anything to do with it.
ive tried so many times to force myself to eat fruit and vegetables, as i genuinely wish nothing more than to eat a healthy diet, but everytime it ends in me throwing up or having a meltdown. although, i had sweetcorn the other day which was okay, but literally could only eat 1 at a time and only managed about 13 in total lol. my main issue is textures, i cant handle anything that is slimy, stringy, or just weird in that sense. my best texture is crunchy like crisps. im so so beyond tired of this, ive given up on trying for my future as i truly believe i will die due to this awful disorder within the next decade. its all i think about sometimes.

thank you for reading this absolute ramble, long story short, im desperate for any tips or advice or some form of help in just being able to eat healthier. and yes ive gone to the doctors, but as im not underweight they have completely disregarded me. i’m going to book again and say that I am scared to die.

[To preface, I've never been formally diagnosed with arfid, but my therapist has named it and I have a long history of arfid-like struggles with eating.]

18m, I moved out just over 2 months ago and since then no one's been making me eat for the first time in my life. In those 2 months, I've lost 15 pounds/6.8kgs without trying. I've been eating very little - it's not been uncommon to go 24 hours without food. I'm still not underweight, thanks to previous weight gain in order to qualify for some medications.

My therapist is extremely concerned. When I went an especially long period without eating and was having difficulty making myself, she recommended urgent care. I refused, but have promised to make an appointment with my primary care doctor. I asked for help with school and she said "I don't care fuck school" (not in a mean way, we just talk like this and I love her), because apparently this is a danger to my life??

Since I've gone undiagnosed, I was under the assumption that these eating habits I very easily defaulted to barely even qualified for arfid. Does this really call for a fuck-everything-else-just-stay-alive?

I AM going to see a medical doctor. In the meantime, I'm trying extra hard to eat. But I was hoping that those with more experience being treated for arfid could provide some perspective on my eating habits + rapid(?) weight loss.

Thank you!

The past couple months, my appetite has quickly been disappearing. In the past week, I've gotten to the point where I cannot tolerate eating almost any foods.

EDIT: (I noticed this started happening after a night of drinking with a friend. I drank too much and the next morning couldn't stop throwing up the entire day. I ate sushi the night I drank and I realized it went from being one of my favorite foods to something I can't even think about eating anymore now. Same with alcohol, I can't even think about drinking because the thought of the taste of it makes me want to throw up. I only feel this repulsed by these two things specifically, all other foods seem more like they're just gross.)

I don't feel necessarily disgusted by food to the point of gagging or puking, but I definitely have no desire to eat it. I'll look through my pantry, fridge, and freezer and each thing I think about eating (or just the action of eating in general) is repulsive enough for me to not want it. I don't think about eating/feel hungry until I feel like I'm starving, and even then, I still experience this.

In the past three days, I've only been able to take bites of a sandwich , 2 taquitos, and a small snack sized bag of Doritos (this was just food that was given to me because I hadn't eaten anything otherwise, I did not choose them and honestly wouldn't have as they were very unappetizing to me). I had to force myself to eat them because I felt like I was going to pass out if I didnt and I couldn't even finish them. I dropped 6lbs this week alone and I was told by a coworker to look into what ARFID was and to see if I might have it. Some symptoms I'm experiencing are the following:

- Eating very limited variety of foods

- Taking a long time to finish meals

- Finding it difficult to recognise when hungry

- Feeling "full" after only a few bites

- Finding eating a chore

Also, I don't know if this is relevant to ARFID, but I don't struggle to drink things like water, juice, stuff like that. But drinks any "thicker" than water are harder to tolerate.

I apologize if any of this is poorly worded. Im not able to describe it very well.

As much as I can understand the classic bland safe foods like chicken nuggets or toast, I feel like a range of safe foods is often misrepresented.

For me I can always count on sushi, even though it can be unfortunately pricey. Falafel is also a good one. I have a really good recipe.

Y’ALL. I talked about this once before but need to update.

For reference I’ve had ARFID all my life (27F) and have only eaten things like pizza, pasta, toast, dairy, sweets, etc. My issues are texture and taste. I’ve never had a low appetite or problem getting enough calories.

In Sept 2025 something came over me and I decided I wanted to lose weight so I started eating in a moderate calorie deficit and walking a TON.

It has been over a year and I’ve gone from being scared to TOUCH vegetables to happily eating 7 SERVINGS OF VEGETABLES PER DAY. I literally can’t believe it😭😭😭

Before the calorie deficit I was hardly ever in a state of hunger but eventually I was so hungry I became motivated to find low calorie, higher volume foods to keep me full…

I think the first thing I tried was green beans or broccoli and I wasn’t immediately obsessed but I was SO FUCKING PROUD of myself for even TOUCHING THEM, let alone swallowing them. Now I CRAVE things like edamame, peas, cauliflower, etc. 🤯

I thought I would go the rest of my life without trying anything new. Or that it would take extensive and expensive exposure therapy to treat😭 This is so unbelievable to me.

Anyway I had to share. Even if this strategy is not for you there is always hope and you are worthy of love and life NO MATTER WHAT YOU EAT!!!!

Love you all, keep chugging♥️

No need to DM literally just comment pls. It's easier for me to make myself eat when there's someone keeping me accountable.

Skippable complaining ahead -

I'm 18 btw. To preface I've not been formally diagnosed with arfid but my therapist has named it and unfortunately at this rate I'm going to get hospitalized for it. Since I moved out and there's no one making me eat anymore, I've been eating very little (like 24 hrs without food multiple times a week) and have been rapidly losing weight.

Eating is so hard, man. I've never been able to trust my body with it since as far as I can tell, I experience a complete lack of hunger cues until I feel dizzy or something. My tolerance for food as gone down overall. I hate chewing. I hate feeling even the slightest bit full.

The only reason I'm not extremely underweight as of now is because I had to work hard to gain 40 pounds so that I could qualify for being put on a medication. That buffer isn't going to last long, though. And I have some body image issues about looking too skinny (grew up being called skin and bones), so I hate how I look right now.

If you've read this far, thanks. I'm off to buy myself something that's easier to eat at the grocery store literally a 30 sec walk from my house, but if anyone actually comments I'll be back to eat with reddit open.

:)

Hey all,

I've got a 15 year old who is heading toward a G tube. I would love to hear from any teens/parents of teens (or younger kids) about your experiences with G tubes- the surgery, healing, and any improvements or challenges afterward. How did you time feeds during the school year? Did you see significant changes?
My kid and I are feeling positive about it (and very grateful to have a medical team that is on board with it), but wondering about what the reality of having one is. Not sure if it will be a button or dangler (will be decided during surgery). My kid is Autistic with some sensory issues, a strong disinterest in food, and a very small stomach after years of low calorie intake (which makes eating much at a time difficult, especially since he really dislikes feeling too full).

Would love to hear what it's been like for you or for your kid.

I see people on social media eating meals with 3 million different ingredients in them all the time and it makes me so jealous. Those meals look so fulfilling and nutritional and healthy, meanwhile I eat the same thing every day just to make sure I eat at all.