ARFID, Family Routines, and How Small Steps Like Grocery Store Trips Can Make a Big Difference

What is ARFID?

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is more than typical picky eating. Children with ARFID often have intense fears around food, extreme avoidance of certain textures, colors, or smells, or very limited food variety that significantly affects their nutrition, growth, or social participation.

Unlike eating disorders driven by body image concerns, ARFID is about fear, sensory sensitivities, or lack of interest in food.

How is ARFID different from Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD)?

While ARFID and Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) can look similar, they are distinct.

PFD is a broader diagnosis that includes difficulties with oral motor skills, medical issues, nutritional challenges, or behavioral aspects of feeding.ARFID is a formal mental health diagnosis focused on the avoidance or restriction itself—often due to anxiety, sensory issues, or past negative experiences.

Sometimes children experience both ARFID and PFD, requiring a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach.

Why Do Routines Matter?

Let’s be clear—families today are busier than ever.Conveniences like grocery pickup and fast meals help us juggle it all. There’s no blame for using these tools.

But we also know that some of the routines we’ve lost—like taking kids to the grocery store, involving them in food prep, and sharing meals together—create powerful opportunities for exposure, connection, and food learning.

For kids with ARFID, structured, low-pressure exposure to food and mealtime routines can gently expand their comfort zones.

Small Steps That Can Support Kids with ARFID

Here’s the good news:You don’t need elaborate recipes or sit-down dinners every night to support your child’s progress.Small, consistent moments can make a difference.

✔ Take them to the grocery storeLet them explore, touch, and smell new foods without the expectation to eat them.

✔ Involve them in meal prepEven stirring, washing veggies, or choosing a plate builds confidence and food familiarity.

✔ Sit down together—even if the food is differentThe act of sharing space around food can decrease anxiety over time.

✔ Use routine as your secret toolPredictable family meals, grocery trips, and kitchen routines help lower stress and increase willingness to engage.

Supporting Families Without Guilt

It’s important to remember:

Families are doing the best they can with the tools they have.ARFID is not caused by parenting or routines—but healthy routines can support children in small, meaningful ways.

If your family is navigating ARFID, know that you don’t have to do it alone.Working with a feeding therapist or team experienced in ARFID and PFD can give you the strategies and support to make mealtimes feel less overwhelming—for everyone.

Need support?

If you are in the East Valley area, I offer feeding therapy support for families navigating ARFID, PFD, and picky eating.Contact me to schedule a consultation.