Restrictive Eating and ARFID

Understanding Restrictive Eating and Supporting Your Child’s Relationship with Food

When Eating Difficulties Go Beyond Fussy Eating

In some cases, eating difficulties go beyond typical fussy eating and may feel more intense or persistent. Restrictive eating, including Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), can present as a very limited range of accepted foods, strong reactions to textures, smells, or appearance of food, or anxiety around eating.

Children may avoid entire food groups, struggle with trying anything new, or become distressed at mealtimes. This is not simply a phase or a matter of “being picky”, but a more complex feeding difficulty that can impact nutrition, growth, and family life.

Supporting Progress Through Trust and Consistency

Support for restrictive eating focuses on building trust, reducing pressure, and taking small, manageable steps towards increasing variety. Progress is often gradual, and success may begin with tolerating a food on the plate, touching it, or interacting with it in a non-eating way.

Creating a calm and predictable mealtime environment is key, alongside maintaining a consistent routine.

When Additional Support May Be Needed

If restrictive eating is affecting a child’s growth, nutritional intake, or day-to-day wellbeing, more structured support may be helpful. Your child should also be reviewed by a medical team to assess any nutritional concerns and ensure they receive the appropriate support.