ARFID Nutrition Counseling in St. Louis, MO

Alo Nutrition provides specialized, weight-inclusive nutrition counseling for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) at our Des Peres and St. Charles offices, with telehealth available across Missouri, Illinois, and select states. We understand that ARFID is not picky eating — and that people of all ages deserve compassionate, specialized care that takes their experience seriously. 

What Is ARFID?

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, or ARFID, is an eating disorder characterized by a highly limited range of accepted foods or a significant avoidance of eating altogether — not driven by body image concerns or fear of weight gain, but by sensory sensitivities, fear of adverse consequences such as choking or vomiting, or a general lack of interest in food and eating. 

ARFID can affect people of all ages, from young children to adults, and can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies, significant weight loss or failure to gain weight as expected, and a profound impact on daily functioning — including difficulty eating at school, work, social gatherings, and with family. 

ARFID is not a phase. It is not a parenting failure. And it is not something that resolves on its own with enough pressure or exposure to new foods. It is a recognized eating disorder that responds well to specialized, compassionate care. d equally deserving of care. 

Table made of tree branches with plates and knifes near glass bottles in daytime

“Just Eat It”

People with ARFID are often told they are just picky, going through a phase, or simply not trying hard enough. Parents are told to stop accommodating and just put the food on the plate. Adults are dismissed as immature or difficult. These responses are not only unhelpful — they can cause real harm and delay access to the specialized care that actually works. 

ARFID is not a choice, a behavior problem, or a lack of willpower. It is a recognized eating disorder rooted in sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and nervous system responses that are not within a person’s control. 

You deserve care that understands the difference. 

Signs of ARFID

ARFID can look different from person to person, but common signs include:

  • Eating a highly limited range of preferred or “safe” foods
  • Refusal of entire food groups, textures, colors, smells, or temperatures
  • Significant anxiety or distress around mealtimes or new foods
  • Fear of choking, vomiting, or an adverse physical reaction to food
  • Lack of interest in eating or low awareness of hunger cues
  • Nutritional deficiencies or unexplained weight loss or poor growth in children
  • Significant impact on daily functioning — avoiding social events, restaurants, school lunches, or family meals
  • Distress that goes beyond typical picky eating in duration or severity

If you recognize these signs in yourself, your child, or someone you love, reaching out to an eating disorder specialist is an important first step — no matter how long these patterns have been present.

Young woman enjoying a healthy salad indoors, focusing on balanced nutrition and healthy living.

Why Work with a Dietitian for ARFID Recovery?

ARFID is most effectively addressed with a coordinated care team. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist is a critical member of that team, bringing specialized nutrition expertise to help expand food variety, address nutritional deficiencies, and support a healthier relationship with eating — at a pace that feels safe and manageable. 

An eating disorder dietitian can help you or your child: 

  • Identify nutritional gaps and develop a plan to address deficiencies
  • Gradually expand food variety in a low-pressure, supportive way
  • Reduce anxiety and distress around mealtimes and new foods
  • Rebuild or develop a more flexible relationship with eating
  • Reconnect with or develop awareness of hunger and fullness cues
  • Navigate eating in real-life situations — school lunches, family meals, restaurants, and social events
  • Coordinate care with therapists, physicians, and other providers involved in treatment

Nutrition counseling for ARFID is patient, individualized, and never about forcing or pressuring. We meet clients where they are — and move at a pace that builds trust rather than anxiety. 

Ready to Take the First Step?

Our team is accepting new clients at both our Des Peres and St. Charles locations, with telehealth available across multiple states. 

Get Started Here

What to Expect When Working with Alo Nutrition

Initial Appointment

Your initial appointment is a chance to get to know your dietitian and begin sharing your story. We will review your history, talk through what eating has looked like recently, and start to understand your goals and concerns. Sessions are 55 minutes and conversational — not clinical or prescriptive.




Ongoing Sessions

Ongoing sessions typically occur weekly, especially in early recovery. We focus on practical, incremental progress — identifying small, achievable goals each week and building on them over time. Recovery is not linear, and we understand that. We are here for the hard weeks as much as the easier ones. 



Between Sessions

Clients have access to our secure client portal to record their experiences between appointments — food journaling, movement and exercise, hunger and fullness cues, and any thoughts or reflections you want to bring into your next session.   For those looking for additional support between sessions, our nutrition coaching program offers personalized feedback as an add-on service. 

Insurance & Payment

We accept many insurance plans and offer private-pay options. Visit our insurance page to learn more about coverage, costs, and how to check your benefits before getting started.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at hello@alo-nutrition.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Picky eating is common in childhood and typically resolves over time without significant impact on nutrition or daily functioning. ARFID is more persistent, more severe, and causes meaningful disruption to a person’s health, growth, and quality of life. If food avoidance is affecting nutrition, weight, growth, or the ability to participate in everyday situations like school lunches or family meals, it is worth speaking with an eating disorder specialist. 

Yes. While ARFID is often identified in childhood, many adults have lived with it for years without ever receiving a diagnosis or appropriate support. Adult ARFID is real, valid, and treatable. If you have always struggled with a limited range of foods or significant anxiety around eating, you deserve specialized care regardless of your age. 

Yes. We work with clients ages 10 and up. For younger clients, we ask that a parent or guardian attend the first appointment so we can gather background information and establish a collaborative support plan that extends into the home environment. 

It depends on your specific insurance plan, diagnosis, and clinical situation. Many major insurance plans do cover nutrition counseling for eating disorders, but coverage varies. We recommend visiting our Insurance & Billing page and reaching out to our team directly so we can help you before getting started.

Absolutely. ARFID often involves sensory, anxiety, and behavioral components that benefit from a team-based approach. We actively collaborate with therapists, physicians, and other providers involved in your or your child’s care. If you are just beginning to build a team, we can help connect you with trusted referral partners. 

While some children do naturally expand their food range over time, ARFID does not reliably resolve on its own — particularly when it is causing nutritional deficiencies, affecting growth, or significantly impacting daily life. Early intervention leads to better outcomes. If you have concerns about your child’s eating, it is always worth seeking an evaluation from an eating disorder specialist rather than waiting to see if it improves.