How Dietitians Support ARFID Treatment

When working with a client in ARFID recovery, the most important first step for a dietitian is identifying nutritional deficiencies and potential growth concerns caused by limited food intake and limited variety. In early ARFID treatment, the priority is not food variety—it is ensuring adequate nutrition and medical stability.

For many dietitians, this can feel counterintuitive. Traditional eating disorder nutrition work emphasizes balance and variety, but in ARFID nutrition therapy, the initial goal is simply helping the client consume enough nutrition consistently and safely.

This may involve:

• Increasing the amount of foods the client already accepts

• Adding nutrition supplements

• Addressing specific nutrient deficiencies

• In severe cases, using enteral nutrition or TPN

  
  

While variety may temporarily take a backseat, it will return later in the ARFID recovery process.

Introducing Food Exposure in ARFID Recovery

Once nutrition intake is more stable, the next phase of ARFID treatment often involves gradual exposure to new foods.

As a dietitian working with ARFID, I have often eaten with my clients during sessions. Sharing the experience allows us to discuss:

• Taste

• Texture

• Smell

• Overall reactions to the food

  
  

When clinicians openly share their own experiences with foods—especially when something tastes unusual or has a strange texture—it helps normalize the experience for the client. This can reduce shame and encourage continued food exploration during ARFID recovery.

How to Identify New Foods to Try in ARFID Recovery

Choosing the right foods for exposure is an important part of the dietitians role in ARFID recovery. Some helpful strategies include:

• Selecting foods that address identified nutrient deficiencies

• Exploring foods from food groups the client is missing

• Trying different nutrition supplement options if intake is low

• Revisiting foods the client used to enjoy but became burnt out on

• Identifying foods commonly served in the client’s home

• Choosing foods that would make social situations easier

• Exploring foods the client has always wanted to like

  
  

These approaches make the exposure process more purposeful and personally meaningful, which can increase motivation in ARFID recovery.

Tracking Progress During ARFID Recovery

When starting food exposures, it is helpful for clients to document their experiences with each food.

Using tools like the rating scale in the Bridge the Food Gap: An ARFID Recovery Workbook allows clients to record:

• Their reaction to the food

• Sensory experiences (taste, smell, texture)

• What worked or didn’t work

• What adjustment could be made to make that food more tolerable

When the food is revisited later, clients can compare experiences and make adjustments that may help turn the food into a safe or preferred option.

Tracking progress is also important psychologically. During ARFID recovery, it can sometimes feel like nothing is changing. Being able to see small improvements over time reminds clients that progress is happening.

And in recovery, small wins are still wins.

How Often Should ARFID Clients Meet with a Dietitian?

Dietitians play a critical role on the ARFID treatment team, especially during the early stages of recovery.

In my outpatient practice, appointment frequency often looks like:

• Weekly or twice weekly in the early stages (depending on intake and deficiencies)

• Weekly sessions once nutrition intake becomes more stable

• Bi-weekly sessions as food variety improves and confidence grows

  
  

Even after stabilization, periodic check-ins can be extremely helpful. These visits reinforce recovery strategies and allow clinicians to address small concerns before they become larger setbacks.

Why Collaboration Is Essential in ARFID Treatment

Successful ARFID recovery requires a collaborative treatment team. Ideally, this team includes:

• A registered dietitian

• A therapist specializing in eating disorders

• A medical provider

Other possible additions include:

• Occupational Therapist

• Psychiatrist

• Family Therapist

Close communication between providers ensures that all aspects of recovery—nutritional, psychological, and medical—are addressed together.

Tools like Bridge the Food Gap: An ARFID Recovery Workbook can also support collaboration by helping clients track progress and share updates across their care team.

Looking for Support with ARFID Recovery?

If you or a loved one is navigating ARFID recovery, finding the right support team can make a significant difference.

If you are a clinician working with ARFID clients and would like guidance or consultation, we also offer professional consultations to help support your work with ARFID treatment.

You can learn more about the workbook and resources here:

Bridge the Food Gap: An ARFID Recovery Workbook