Bridge The Food Gap

09/25/2026

New blog post: Crossing Paths: The Intersection of ARFID, Autism, ADHD, and Anxiety — a concise, compassionate look at how these experiences overlap and what that means for support and understanding.

Read it now: https://wix.to/fQwhmKO

Some people have Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Some have autism. Some have both. Some have ADHD with or without ARFID or autism. Others experience anxiety without any of these diagnoses. And there are individuals who have never struggled significantly with food who experience a....

09/15/2026

“What foods do they eat?”
It’s often the first question we ask when someone has a very limited diet.

But there’s another question that may be even more important:
Why are they avoiding the foods they don’t eat?

Food restriction can happen for many different reasons. Sensory sensitivities, food preferences, fear of aversive consequences, low interest in eating, anxiety, medical concerns, and many other factors can all influence eating.

And while some people may have picky eating, others may meet criteria for ARFID.
The foods someone eats can give us clues—but they don't tell us the whole story.
That’s why assessment matters.

Rather than focusing only on how many foods someone eats, we need to understand what is driving the avoidance, how it is affecting the person, and whether it is interfering with their nutrition, health, or daily life.

The “why” matters.

Because when we understand the reason behind the eating difficulty, we have a much better chance of providing the right support and treatment. 💜

09/12/2026

Autism does not automatically mean someone has ARFID.

Being a picky eater does not automatically mean someone has ARFID either.

ARFID is a specific eating disorder with distinct diagnostic criteria. It involves restriction or avoidance of food that can lead to things like nutritional deficiencies, inadequate intake, dependence on supplements, or interference with daily life.

And this distinction matters.

The right diagnosis helps guide the right treatment. 💜

Instead of asking, “Are they autistic?” or “Are they a picky eater?”
we need to ask, “What is happening with their eating, and why?”

Understanding the why is an important part of understanding the what—and ultimately finding the right path toward recovery.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with eating, a qualified healthcare professional can help determine whether ARFID or another condition may be contributing.

08/20/2026

How does ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) show up at school—and what can educators, parents, and administrators do to help? In our latest blog post, we break down practical signs to watch for and collaborative strategies to support students in classroom, cafeteria, and social settings.

Read more and share with your school community: https://wix.to/28fpi8i

So, let’s try to be—or help create—that community by spreading the word and educating others about ARFID. Let’s learn more about how ARFID can show up in different settings. Today, I’d like to focus on how ARFID can show up at school and how kids, parents, educators, and administrators can...

08/19/2026

Back-to-School Prep for ARFID

Back-to-school shopping usually means pencils, backpacks, and new clothes…

But for a child with ARFID, a little extra preparation around food can make the transition much easier. 💜

Before school starts, consider:

Packing familiar foods — Having a few comfortable options can help reduce the stress around school meals.

Planning for snacks — Think about what foods and drinks your child is most likely to actually eat during the school day.

Practicing the new routine — If meal or snack times will be different during the school year, gradually getting used to the schedule can help.

Talking with the school — Let teachers, nurses, and other important adults know what supports your child may need.

Thinking beyond taste — Noise, smells, textures, and crowded cafeterias can all affect eating.

💬 Ask your child what would make school meals easier. They may have ideas you haven't thought of!

And remember…

One comfortable meal at school can be a really big win.

08/17/2026

Back to School + ARFID

Starting a new school year can bring a lot of changes for a child with ARFID. New routines, different lunchrooms, unfamiliar smells, and changes in access to preferred foods can all make eating at school feel a little more challenging.

Educators can make a big difference by creating an environment where students feel safe, supported, and understood.

A few simple ways to help:

🍎 Give students space to eat the foods they feel comfortable with.

🥪 Remember that a lunch that looks “different” may be exactly what a student needs right now.

💬 Avoid drawing attention to how much or what a student is eating.

⏰ When possible, provide consistency around meal and snack times.

🎒 Work with families and the student’s treatment team to understand what supports are helpful at school.

Most importantly, know that ARFID is more than picky eating. A student may genuinely want to eat more variety but be struggling with the sensory, anxiety, or lack of interest that can come with ARFID.

Sometimes, a little understanding from an educator can make a big difference in how safe a child feels at school.

Here’s to a school year filled with support, compassion, and plenty of room for progress. 💜

08/14/2026

Back to School Can Be Hard for Kids With ARFID

For many kids, back-to-school means new teachers, new routines, and new friends.

For a child with ARFID, it can also mean:

🍎 Eating in a loud, crowded cafeteria
🥪 Having limited access to their safe foods
⏰ Adjusting to a new meal and snack schedule
👃 Being overwhelmed by unfamiliar smells
👀 Feeling watched or judged for what’s on their plate
🥤 Not having easy access to preferred drinks or foods
😟 Worrying about being pressured to eat something unfamiliar
🔄 Navigating a completely different routine after summer

What may look like “not eating lunch” or “being extremely picky” can actually be a source of **significant anxiety and distress.**

As we head back to school, remember:

**Support before pressure.
Understanding before judgment.
Connection before correction.**

A little preparation and understanding can make the school day much easier for a child with ARFID. 💜

07/03/2026

New blog: 10 ARFID Safe Foods to Encourage Positive Eating Habits — practical, sensory-friendly food ideas to support expanding food choices and balanced nutrition.

https://wix.to/NF1QQaN

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) can make mealtime a challenge for many individuals. Finding foods that are both safe and appealing is essential to support positive eating habits and nutritional balance. This post explores ten delicious ARFID safe foods that can help expand food cho...

07/01/2026

When we created Bridge the Food Gap, our goal was simple:
To build the resource we wished existed for the people we work with every day.

This workbook is filled with practical, evidence-informed tools to help make ARFID recovery feel less overwhelming and more achievable.

Whether you're navigating ARFID yourself, supporting a loved one, or working with clients, you'll find exercises, worksheets, and strategies that meet you where you are.

Recovery isn't about being perfect.
It's about taking the next step—and then the one after that.

06/26/2026

Recovery doesn't always begin with a new food.

Sometimes it begins with a new thought.

Changing the way we talk to ourselves can make food experiences feel a little less overwhelming and a little more manageable.

You don't have to feel fearless to make progress.

You don't have to like every food.

You don't have to take giant leaps.

Sometimes recovery sounds like:
💜 "I can try."
💜 "I can be curious."
💜 "One bite is enough for today."
💜 "I'm learning."

Small mindset shifts can open the door to meaningful recovery over time.

💬 Which of these mindset shifts do you want to carry with you this week?