From the ANM archive · Mindset Monday
That is not stubbornness.
It is not poor parenting.
And it is not something we should shame out of a person.
ARFID is a feeding and eating disorder in which someone avoids certain foods or struggles to eat enough. This can affect their nutrition, growth, physical health or ability to take part in everyday life.
The difficulty is commonly connected to one or more of these experiences:
🔸 Food textures, smells, tastes or temperatures feel unbearable.
🔸 Eating feels frightening because of fears about choking, vomiting, pain or becoming ill.
🔸 Hunger signals or interest in food are very low.
ARFID goes far beyond ordinary selective eating.
It can affect children, teenagers and adults—and a person does not have to be underweight to need help.
Today’s mindset shift:
❌ “They will eat when they are hungry enough.”✅ “What is making eating feel difficult, frightening or overwhelming?”
Start with curiosity.
Keep reliable foods available.
Reduce shame and pressure.
If eating difficulties are affecting health, nutrition, growth or daily life, seek an assessment from a qualified health professional.
Have you heard of ARFID before today?
Source: View the ANM social archive · Browse the ANM Bites archive
