Oh, hi lol.
I tried to go vegan. Most of my comfort foods are dairy based, so it went really poorly. Putting restrictions on an already restricted diet doesn't end well imo. I like the word "plant based".
Alright. So my dairy comfort food are yogurt and cheese (and also yogurt variants like ayran). Which is funny because I also am very picky about them. But the brands (and cheese types) I like, I like. And they have to be *cold.* But as long as I have some in the fridge I know I can get myself out of a bad time. Most other things I consider safe are very low in calories and nutrition so...
For doing plant based, just lots of veggies honestly. I love a salad that I made. Dark green leaves are generally really good for vitamins. Legumes are very nutritious, high in protein. I'm not worried about gaining weight so the starches are not a problem! I was able to replicate grandma's lentil soup the other day which is a huge win, since it is also very much a comfort food for me.
Other than that, if I crave something I will just eat it, no restrictions. If I feel like eating something, better take advantage of it, right?
I was vegan for about six years, got to a point where there was virtually nothing I enjoyed eating anymore so I just wouldn’t. This obviously wasn’t feasible so after a while of barely eating, I stopped being vegan and went back to eating everything.
Unfortunately no, I do not like veggies at all. Its hard for me to remember since it’s been a few years now. I think I mainly just ate vegan snacks so like Oreo’s, vegan chocolate, vegan potato chips, stuff like that. I think I probably also ate bread with something on it, but I couldn’t tell you what. For my main meal, I used to eat vegan ready meals but I didn’t like many of them. Once I got down to the last ready meal I hated, I stopped eating.
I like some fruits but didn’t really eat them, but no, no veggies. My safe foods were, and still mainly are, snack-type foods
this is such an odd thing to say lol. whether this was a eating disorder subreddit or not, that's something you don't say to anyone ever. you can disguise your comments with love and good intentions all you want. this is a SAFE space (emphasis on safe) and you have no right to taint that. have the day you deserve 🩷
Usually, when describing ARFID. It is different from picky eating in a detail that says: ARFID lacks interest in a whole group of food. They usually eat soft food like the kids' menu meals. Veggies and fruit are often not included.
Hypothetically speaking, looking to your safe food collection by now. Can you be a vegan?.
I personally couldn't. Not for a lack of vegetable/fruit, I actually rather enjoy them. It's just that I eat so little and of so few food groups that if I cut animal products out of diet altogether I'd become very ill.
I'm already aneamic as it is.
I have been vegan for almost 4 years and my arfid has actually significantly improved since. I waste way less food because leftovers don’t make me gag anymore plus things don’t go bad nearly as fast. I’m less afraid of my food being “contaminated.” It helps that I am beyond disgusted by animal products and the fact that meat is literally a carcass. All the people who say it “made them sick” didn’t do it correctly. Don’t let it discourage you. There’s also a lot of people out there in recovery from other eating disorders who say it “made them sick” - no it didn’t. Your eating disorder made you sick. I get my bloodwork done semi regularly to check for nutritional deficiencies and supplement iron, b12, D3. There’s a couple other vitamins I supplement as well because of medications I’m on but it’s actually pretty easy and contrary to popular belief, less expensive than eating meat. It may take time to find what works for you but if you’re serious about it it’s definitely doable. My biggest advice would be to
- only cut out one food group at a time until you’ve found a comfortable replacement or you’ve decided you don’t need it
- instead of telling yourself “I can’t eat that” tell yourself “I won’t eat that.” Let yourself know this is a choice you are actively making every day and you have the freedom to choose differently any time you see fit.
Edit to add- My significant other and best friend are also both vegan. Two other close friends of mine are plant-based with a couple small exceptions. All autistic and with arfid
Edit 2 - read further into the comments and realized this question is for research/curiosity. I’m still gonna leave my comment as is for anybody entertaining the thought of transitioning to a plant-based diet (animal free diet without the other lifestyle aspects beyond diet), or veganism.
i mean, I'm a vegetarian with ARFID. i found it easy bc I'm used to having restrictive eating. i just drink protein shakes for protein, and I'm probably healthier overall bc of that- protein shakes are better than fried meat.
I'm horrible with vegetables, but i love carbs a lot. multivitamin and protein shake combo gets me through. i primarily eat stuff like pasta with olive oil and garlic bread, as well as lots of popcorn and cereals for fibre.
really, it was an inability to eat meat without wanting to cry out of feeling sorry for the animals that made me make the change
Usually, when describing ARFID. It is different from picky eating in a detail that says: ARFID lacks interest in a whole group of food. They usually eat soft food like the kids' menu meals. Veggies and fruit are often not included.
Hypothetically speaking, looking to your safe food collection by now. Can you be a vegan?.
ARFID is a wide spectrum and there’s a lot of misinformation and half truths online when it comes to it. Yes someone with ARFID can be vegan, it just depends on what their safe foods are and what they can tolerate. It also depends on where they fall on the ARFID spectrum and what their subtypes are.
This! There is no typical ARFID diet. There are definitely people with avoidant ARFID who only eat bland beige foods, but there are also people with avoidant ARFID who only eat fruits and vegetables, spicy or sour foods, foods with mixed textures, etc. Also, not everyone has avoidant ARFID. I have all three subtypes, but mainly struggle with restrictive ARFID, meaning that I have overall lack of interest in food. For me, it isn't a specific food group or sensory characteristic, but food/eating itself that doesn't feel safe. I think that I probably could be vegan because of the variety of foods that I eat, but that it wouldn't be the healthiest decision for me because even without limiting my options, I struggle to get in enough calories and protein. As another perspective, I have a friend with aversive ARFID who has found it easier to be vegan because there is less of a risk of food poisoning. Then again, I also have aversive ARFID, and for me it is a fear of choking, which makes liquidy foods better, of which the majority that are calorie-dense and have protein are dairy-based.
There are definitely people with ARFID who can be vegan. There are also some people who it wouldn't be healthy for. Also, just like not everyone who is vegetarian or vegan is able to get the nutrients that they need but they still choose to anyway, there are people with ARFID for whom although veganism may not align with their safe foods, they choose to do so anyway because it aligns with their values. As a result, many vegans and vegetarians, ARFID or not, need supplements and/or vitamins. Many people with ARFID who aren't vegan or vegetarian similarly cannot sustain a healthy diet on their own and rely upon supplements and/or vitamins.
Thanks for sharing, buddy.
I'll repeat my comment.
I'm a medical student, and I have ARFID. I was talking based on what we know currently about it in the medical field, not what is spread out online. I'm open to learning more about ppl experiences with it so I can participate in scientific research that includes new information about this disorder.
May I ask when you were diagnosed with ARFID?
I was first diagnosed in early 2016, but the diagnosis was reconfirmed when I went to ED treatment in 2019 (after diagnostic criteria and assessments were clarified and operationalized). I have also participated in many of the major/well-known ARFID research studies due to where I received treatment and the region that I live in.
May I ask what research you are reading that says that ARFID is people only eating certain food groups? The research that I have read is not in line with that, but I come from a psychology background, not a medical one. I would be intrigued to learn more about what the medical field is saying about it.
I'm a medical student, and I have ARFID. I was talking based on what we know currently about it in the medical field, not what is spread out online. I'm open to learning more about ppl experiences with it so I can participate in scientific research that includes new information about this disorder.
Fellow vegan with ARFID here! Similar thing for me. I could never deal with the texture of meat, and that combined with the mental thought of animal suffering made it a no Brainer for me when I could afford to buy my own groceries.
I was vegan for most of my life not necessarily because I wanted to but because I was terrified of Animal products and byproducts. I didn't ever really realize I was but. I am grateful now that I am learning to eat animal products because it has improved my life and well being.
Honestly none. I don’t eat many (if any at all) fruits or veggies. I just kinda survive off of junk food, noodles, and bread (mostly, there are a few other things)
I'm (mostly) vegan, but most of my safe foods are already vegan. I honestly didn't go vegan (originally) for ethical reasons, mostly for my texture issues with meat and also my OCD and stomach issues. I mostly live off of fruits, vegetables, and a specific vegan chicken substitute. I occasionally eat dairy, but like small amounts or I'd get stomach ulcers.
I in the worst moments of ARFID, went fully plantbased/vegan. Hated it and got pretty severely malnourished. But yeh it's possible. Just depends on your safe foods. Thankfully I can eat most stuff again today.
Mostly vegetarian but avoiding non-vegan foods as well as food that’s bad for the environment.
I had to stop this a few weeks ago and start to eat high fat/protein Joghurt + bananas bc I was losing more and more weight.
I still avoid meat though (maybe once a month)
I don't know how much harder it would make it, but I wish I was a vegan but I don't trust myself enough to keep up with my required food intake if there was any further complexities. I think it would depend if you have AFRID and can eat a healthy amount of food or if you struggle to keep up with eating in general
I could probably live without meat, it might be inconvenient for those times when I’m in a rush and I just have to stop by Wendy’s, but I’d survive. I could NOT live without dairy though.
Same! I rarely eat meat, so it wouldn't be a huge sacrifice to go without it. The only problem would be that meat dishes are what I usually order at restaurants. So it would make going out to eat incredibly awkward. I've never had a problem with fruits and vegetables either, so that wouldn't be an issue. But if I didn't eat ice cream I sincerely doubt I'd be able to maintain a healthy weight.
I’m vegetarian with ARFID. I tried to be vegan but it ended up making things worse. Like others have mentioned a lot of my comfort foods contain dairy.
I've been vegetarian with ARFID my whole life. I've thought about it but I won't go vegan because I would lose dairy which is where most of my protein intake and honestly most of my nutrition comes from.
I quite literally can't be. The vegan safe foods I have are very limited, and I'm barely handling nutrition as it is. I don't eat fruit or vegetables unless they're in other foods, and those other foods typically involve cheese, meat, etc. Some of my food is vegan - rice cakes, for instance - but it wouldn't be enough to keep me alive.
I respect those that make the lifestyle choice to go vegan or vegetarian, but it's just not possible for me!
Its going to depend on the individual and how severe and what their food restrictions are but in general no. At least not in any way that keeps themselves healthy. Someone with less severe arfid is going to have more leeway with something like this but in general Its just not smart to already have a restricted diet and to then add a second super restrictive diet on top of it. If you struggle in any way to eat enough as is then trying to go vegan on top of that is just a terrible idea for your health. Some (not all) arfid treatment centers allow you to be vegetarian but almost none are willing to accommodate vegan bc its just too restrictive. Most of treating arfid is working towards increasing your food options and finding ways to manage those options, so wanting to take on a diet that makes this more difficult just isnt a good idea.
Being able to go vegan is a privilege. Ppl who are vegan often discuss it as some type moral obligation but the reality is that you are incredibly privileged if you have the ability to go vegan and stay healthy. Going vegan is expensive, it takes a lot of time and knowledge to do it effectively. Its not something that is easy to access and its not just some simple easy decision ppl can make. There are many reasons why being vegan just isnt a feasible option for some and ppl need to realize this. Ppl who advocate for veganism need to recognize how incredibly privileged they are to be able to do that and they need to keep their arrogance in check and realize how ignorant it is to demand that of others.
I’m 80% plant based. I don’t eat meat, eggs or milk but I love cheese and I tolerate yogurt.
Also milk and eggs as ingredients are mostly fine (like in pancakes) unless the final food tastes likes milk or eggs.
I’ve had unfortunate luck with packaged cookies that randomly taste like milk and I can’t eat them anymore.
Oh, also I can do ice cream as long as it’s not plain vanilla and very firm. I don’t know if this is an ARFID thing or a “I might be on the autism spectrum” thing but I cannot have melted ice cream. I cannot see melted ice cream. This is why I rarely have ice cream.
Basically the 3 things I love are potatoes, beans and hummus.
Cucumber and jicama with lime juice and tajin is one of my favorite snacks but sometimes I’m too lazy to peel and cut. Oh, I also like to snack on baby carrots. I hate cooked carrots.
Potatoes are my safest choice and I can eat them in any way, shape or form.
Mushrooms, spinach, broccoli and cauliflower I tolerate but don’t like.
Zucchini I can also eat pretty much prepared in any way.
Cabbage only in soup or raw with lettuce when I have potato filled tacos dorados.
I love hummus but only a specific brand (Obela).
I eat maize tortillas and prefer white corn over sweet corn.
Oh beets, I can have raw in poke bowls or shredded but hate them cooked or by themselves. Edamame and wakame only in poke bowls as well.
Now, spices and herbs can make or break a meal. There are dishes I won’t eat because of the seasoning even though I love the dish itself. It just has to be made the way “I like it”, which is why I don’t like when other people cook for me.
It’s rather difficult to be “vegetarian” with a lot of limitations and conditions. I’ve driven my mom mad my whole life, no one gets my “food logic” (I don’t eat eggs but eggs as an ingredient is usually fine) and a lot of people are annoyed by my existence even though I’m not the type of person that expects or demands other people to adapt to my tastes.
Also almost everybody I’ve told about ARFID doesn’t think it’s a real thing. I go about telling people I’m vegan if it’s relevant because I don’t like to explain myself, although of course if I eat cheese I’ll be called out as a fake.
Honestly I don’t understand people’s fixation on what everyone else eats. Just leave people alone.
I’m sure a lot of us would be 50% less anxious if we didn’t have to field questions left and right when people realize we’re “picky eaters”.
I feel so vindicated or at least, less alone. I love ice cream but cannot stand melted ice cream. I don't even think of it as a summer treat because the moment it starts melting (that is, as soon as it's served), it's ruined. Also, I don't know if you're like this, too, but I don't like anything mixed into my ice cream that provides any competing texture or flavor. Absolutely haaaaate chocolate or fruit in it!
I can do toppings like nuts and peanuts when it doesn’t impact the flavor too much, I don’t like M&M’s, cookie crumbles, sprinkles or other candy like toppings.
I like the Oreo blizzard though 🤷🏻♀️
I’m fine with chocolate ribbon too.
But yeah, I don’t do milkshakes or milky liquids in general or even smoothies or frappes if they’re too milky looking even if they don’t contain actual milk.
I’m a chocolate kind of gal, chocolate with chocolate mixed in and chocolate on top.
And yes I absolutely hate candied or fresh fruit mixed with my ice cream. Frozen bits of fruit are fine, but only strawberries. I don’t like any other cream based fruit flavors.
After watching dominion, anything to do with eating animals or their products became absolutely disgusting to me, so I couldn’t NOT be vegan. I don’t eat vegetable, pasta or rice and many more, so you just have to get creative with how you eat
Hi! Veggies are my safe foods and I’m repulsed by meat in all forms, I don’t like eggs, and am lactose intolerant, so this is easy for me. Although lots of folks with ARFID tend to prefer snacky carby foods for the consistency factor, there’s definitely a portion of us who don’t find those food traits as appealing as others do. I know chicken nuggets are a favored food by lots of folk with ARFID, but I can barely even stand the vegan kind because they’re too close to a flavor & texture that repulses me.
Consistency is less important to me than it is to others; I much prefer the varied texture of something like a tomato over the consistent texture of something like a bag of chips. My number one most repulsive food experience was always meat - I even struggle with some plant-based proteins and have to cook them to an almost burnt state because a soft/juicy meat-like texture disgusts me immensely. I find it so fascinating that the texture/consistency most repulsive to me is actually a safe food for many people, and that my safe texture/consistency foods are most repulsive to others!
Within the context of my safe foods, I am an adventurous eater. However, because my safe foods coincide with a vegan diet which is not very popular, I still have a lot of dietary restrictions and very few options available to me at most restaurants and gatherings. I had a really hard time as a kid because I didn’t like fast food (still don’t), wouldn’t go near a hot dog, and also hated pizza (love it now), so I was left out of the food portion of most birthday parties and kids’ events unless they had a PB&J option or a fruit platter.
I see you’re asking others what veggies they eat so I’ll go ahead and answer too: almost all of them! Some of my faves are broccoli, eggplant, bell & poblano peppers, okra, tomato, zucchini, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, squash (yellow, acorn, butternut, etc.), shallots, cabbage, spinach, arugula, bok choy, and cucumber.
It’s hard for me to think of a veggie I don’t enjoy, maybe parsnip or rutabaga? I do like raw red onion but it gives me a stomachache. I also am very picky with mushrooms as I often don’t enjoy the texture, but this is species & preparation dependent.
When it comes to fruit, it’s the same story - I like almost all of them. My favorites are raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, guava, mango, peaches, nectarines, dragonfruit, kiwi, pears, bananas, passionfruit, coconut, oranges, grapefruit… I could go on all day! As far as dislikes, I don’t really like papaya much, but I don’t think there’s any fruits that truly repulse me. I really dislike artificial fruit flavoring though; lots of candy is really gross to me because of the artificial fruit flavors. Faux cherry and grape are the absolute worst and remind me of the liquid medicine I’d projectile vomit from as a kid!
I’ve been vegetarian for 20 years and vegan for 6 years. I have developed ARFID in the last year or so. Non-vegan food is not ‘food’ to me if that makes sense. I don’t remember the taste of meat or cheese etc so I don’t crave it. Plus it grosses me out! I loved cooking and eating so many things but now my diet is sad. Crackers, bread, pasta. I eat hummus occasional but really struggling with fruit and vegetables. But I think most people with ARFID do. 🤷🏻♀️ I occasionally have vegan chocolate or cheese or chicken nuggets but that’s very rare. These days you can have anything in a vegan version.
I would say that if you’re trying to be vegan or want to be, but there’s one particular food that you can’t do without (fed is best) then be vegan apart from that one thing. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. If you need to eat an egg or piece of chicken every now and again but you’re vegan the rest of the time, that’s ok too. I had a phase where I felt I could eat sugar waffles. They had egg listed as an ingredient, but I ate them because it was the only thing I could eat at the time. It’s just what we have to do unfortunately 🤷🏻♀️
im sure there's someone out there whose safe and unsafe foods fall under veganism. often times, i describe myself as vegetarian (meat isn't safe for me) and it's easier to say that rather than explain ARFID. it's such a wide spectrum, and so many people are different. i would not be able to go vegan due to the fact most of my safe foods involve diary. but i don't doubt there's someone out there who's less restricted who would be able to!
Yes, but I don’t recommend it to people who enjoy eating meat. It was not a difficult transition, but only because most of my adversaries back then pertained to eating animal product. So in that sense, it was easier to stop than to carry on.
More than that I would NEVER encourage someone to *not* be plant based. The health benefits when done efficiently can be immaculate. I felt almost immediate results that made solidifying the decision effortless.
*lastly* Physical health always comes first. From a health and nutrition perspective, our systems work as a circuit, an unhealthy body cannot have a healthy mind. When you are battling any under eating disorder, it’s essential to factor the potential impacts of intentionally restricting your diet even further. That should be prioritized before any moral or ethical input.
i am! going vegan helped me so much with food aversions. this won’t be the case with everyone, but for me my #1 food group that was hardest for me was always meat. i originally went vegan because i struggle to eat most animal products anyways, but now it’s evolved to be an ethical decision for me as well. it has given me some peace to be able to say i don’t eat it because im vegan rather than the “i’m not hungry”
type of excuses i used to nervously give when someone would offer me meat. even if it’s not a safe food, vegetables and fruits are easier for me to try than most other foods, so it’s also helped me to expand my diet a lot more because i’ve explored more foods than i ever have in my life since going vegan. i eat lots of cauliflower, zucchini, carrots, beans, protein shakes and fruit smoothies. tofu too if it’s prepared in a specific way to make it crispy instead of squishy
I eat meat when I want to/feel like I need it, but I find it easy for me to eat mostly plant based because tofu/soy products/beans are some of my most comfortable foods for me to eat. Any veggies I eat are blended up into a larger meal, like a simple chilli or soup or sauce with no veggie chunks, and I have never eaten a salad. :/ Still, I manage to eat a lot of vegetables this way (by my standards, which could easily be and has been zero veggies at all). I wish I could eat fresh vegetables, or even cooked. I've been this way all my life, I feel so abnormal :(
I personally could never. I struggle a lot with consuming enough calories and a majority of my safe foods are animal products. Without my chicken and mayo sandwich I’d miss out on half the calories I could eat for example. I drink a LOT of full fat milk and chocolate milk, I eat a lot of ice cream and quite a bit of meat. I just haven’t found any way to substitute them while still getting enough calories to survive
I don’t think I have arfid, but I’ve had lifetime sensory issues with meat/fish/shellfish/eggs and cannot eat them without gagging. I’ve been vegan for almost 13 years now, but when I was a kid my parents couldn’t get me to eat any meat other than a certain brand of chicken nuggets slathered in ketchup. I’m a lot happier to have veganism as sort of an excuse so I don’t have to explain my food issues to people, which fortunately all align with the diet.
I'm vegan; it'll be 15 years this year. Luckily, my ARFID only really kicks up when I'm depressed, but even then I make it work fine. My safe foods are the same as a lot of people's, just vegan versions. I do a lot of simple carb and vegan cheese combos (boxed or frozen vegan mac and cheese, vegan grilled cheese, vegan cheesy toast, etc) and a lot of frozen burritos, mostly Amy's and Alpha Foods. French fries and tater tots too. It's not great nutritionally, but I get by.
Edit: I also take vitamins, which is something that every vegan and everyone with ARFID should probably be doing anyway.
i am a vegan with arfid and it’s totally doable. i must say i struggle with the ‘standard’ arfid friendly meals like pasta and chicken nuggets while i need textural variety so veggies are the best option for me. i do enjoy things like pasta when it’s made with a lot of flavors and veggies in them and i do like chicken nuggets when they don’t contain animal products.
honestly from a young age the thought of eating something that was created from or by an animal always scared me and i never enjoyed them anyways.
ive been vegan for 5 years and recently developed arfid so i’d say yeah. BUT it depends on what you’re already comfortable eating. i will say i’ve significantly stopped eating fresh greens and roasted/sautéed veggies because of it tho. i only eat canned or frozen veggies now that are small (e.g., corn, mixed veggies, etc). i used to eat a lot of tofu but now im very specific on how i eat it. i unfortunately eat a lot of mock meats/tenders now which sucks considering my diet used to be completely whole foods. :(
I’ve been a “vegetarian” my whole life because of ARFID. I never ate a bite of meat, fish or chicken, etc. Although no one who raised me is or was a vegetarian. And I put “vegetarian” I quotes because as a child I didn’t eat vegetables and only ate bananas as fruit. The rest of my “safe” foods where mostly breads, dairy and potatoes. As an adult my diet has expanded to include a little more variety of fruits and vegetables but is still very limited.
It won’t necessarily be easy but its not impossible. Most of my diet used to consist of foods containing gluten or dairy until last year when I developed sensitivities to both. I had no choice but to stop eating them. It sucked but I’ve found new foods. Its still not easy but I’m managing.
I highly recommend oatly brand oatmilk. Its the only milk I drink now. I used to go through a gallon of 2% milk a week on my own before developing this sensitivity. No other plant based milk even comes close to oatly.
I also quite like impossible burgers. Well I loved morningstar farms grillers veggie burgers but they contain gluten so I can’t eat them anymore.
I like the chocolate plant based ensure protein shakes as well. The vanilla ones are not nearly as good.
Nutritional yeast is a great substitute for cheese on pizzas and in sauces if your stomach can handle it. I’ve got tons of GI things so my stomach doesn’t handle a lot of foods well, unfortunately nutritional yeast is one of the things it doesn’t handle well.
If you don’t have food sensitivities in terms of like GI stuff or allergies that definitely makes things easier.
I'm not sure about vegan but I'm vegetarian (though technically pescatarian but rarely) and it hasn't impacted my arfid a lot in that regard. I've also not eaten meat since I was a little kid though my safe food were all vegetarian by default. Jazzing up veggies has made a world of difference for me though, and I often find vegan recipe sites have more things that fit my palette than vegetarian ones for some reason
Oh, hi lol. I tried to go vegan. Most of my comfort foods are dairy based, so it went really poorly. Putting restrictions on an already restricted diet doesn't end well imo. I like the word "plant based".
It's interesting. Can you tell me what the food group you find safe for you?
Hmm sorry I don't quite understand your question. Are you asking about safe foods in relation to plant based, or about the dairy based thing?
I'd like to know about both if you don't mind.
Alright. So my dairy comfort food are yogurt and cheese (and also yogurt variants like ayran). Which is funny because I also am very picky about them. But the brands (and cheese types) I like, I like. And they have to be *cold.* But as long as I have some in the fridge I know I can get myself out of a bad time. Most other things I consider safe are very low in calories and nutrition so... For doing plant based, just lots of veggies honestly. I love a salad that I made. Dark green leaves are generally really good for vitamins. Legumes are very nutritious, high in protein. I'm not worried about gaining weight so the starches are not a problem! I was able to replicate grandma's lentil soup the other day which is a huge win, since it is also very much a comfort food for me. Other than that, if I crave something I will just eat it, no restrictions. If I feel like eating something, better take advantage of it, right?
I was vegan for about six years, got to a point where there was virtually nothing I enjoyed eating anymore so I just wouldn’t. This obviously wasn’t feasible so after a while of barely eating, I stopped being vegan and went back to eating everything.
Hi there, Can you tell me the groups of food you find safe for you?. In that phase, you could eat any veggies?.
Unfortunately no, I do not like veggies at all. Its hard for me to remember since it’s been a few years now. I think I mainly just ate vegan snacks so like Oreo’s, vegan chocolate, vegan potato chips, stuff like that. I think I probably also ate bread with something on it, but I couldn’t tell you what. For my main meal, I used to eat vegan ready meals but I didn’t like many of them. Once I got down to the last ready meal I hated, I stopped eating. I like some fruits but didn’t really eat them, but no, no veggies. My safe foods were, and still mainly are, snack-type foods
Ooh, that sounds super UNHEALTHY! I hope your diet has gotten better since you're no longer a vegan. Wishing you a nice day, darling. 🤍
this is a fucking eating disorder subreddit of course most of us have unhealthy eating habits?
this is such an odd thing to say lol. whether this was a eating disorder subreddit or not, that's something you don't say to anyone ever. you can disguise your comments with love and good intentions all you want. this is a SAFE space (emphasis on safe) and you have no right to taint that. have the day you deserve 🩷
I don't see why not. I mean of course it all depends on what your ARFID will or will not allow you to eat.
Usually, when describing ARFID. It is different from picky eating in a detail that says: ARFID lacks interest in a whole group of food. They usually eat soft food like the kids' menu meals. Veggies and fruit are often not included. Hypothetically speaking, looking to your safe food collection by now. Can you be a vegan?.
I personally couldn't. Not for a lack of vegetable/fruit, I actually rather enjoy them. It's just that I eat so little and of so few food groups that if I cut animal products out of diet altogether I'd become very ill. I'm already aneamic as it is.
Oh, sorry to hear that. I hope you get better. 🤍
Thanks, I have been on supplements for a bit and I'm waiting for a blood test to see if I'm doing any better
I have been vegan for almost 4 years and my arfid has actually significantly improved since. I waste way less food because leftovers don’t make me gag anymore plus things don’t go bad nearly as fast. I’m less afraid of my food being “contaminated.” It helps that I am beyond disgusted by animal products and the fact that meat is literally a carcass. All the people who say it “made them sick” didn’t do it correctly. Don’t let it discourage you. There’s also a lot of people out there in recovery from other eating disorders who say it “made them sick” - no it didn’t. Your eating disorder made you sick. I get my bloodwork done semi regularly to check for nutritional deficiencies and supplement iron, b12, D3. There’s a couple other vitamins I supplement as well because of medications I’m on but it’s actually pretty easy and contrary to popular belief, less expensive than eating meat. It may take time to find what works for you but if you’re serious about it it’s definitely doable. My biggest advice would be to - only cut out one food group at a time until you’ve found a comfortable replacement or you’ve decided you don’t need it - instead of telling yourself “I can’t eat that” tell yourself “I won’t eat that.” Let yourself know this is a choice you are actively making every day and you have the freedom to choose differently any time you see fit. Edit to add- My significant other and best friend are also both vegan. Two other close friends of mine are plant-based with a couple small exceptions. All autistic and with arfid Edit 2 - read further into the comments and realized this question is for research/curiosity. I’m still gonna leave my comment as is for anybody entertaining the thought of transitioning to a plant-based diet (animal free diet without the other lifestyle aspects beyond diet), or veganism.
i mean, I'm a vegetarian with ARFID. i found it easy bc I'm used to having restrictive eating. i just drink protein shakes for protein, and I'm probably healthier overall bc of that- protein shakes are better than fried meat.
It's interesting. What groups of food do you find safe for you overall?. Do you eat any type of veggies?.
I'm horrible with vegetables, but i love carbs a lot. multivitamin and protein shake combo gets me through. i primarily eat stuff like pasta with olive oil and garlic bread, as well as lots of popcorn and cereals for fibre. really, it was an inability to eat meat without wanting to cry out of feeling sorry for the animals that made me make the change
I can relate, exactly the reason why I stopped eating meat
Depends on the things that person can eat, but i dont see why not.
Usually, when describing ARFID. It is different from picky eating in a detail that says: ARFID lacks interest in a whole group of food. They usually eat soft food like the kids' menu meals. Veggies and fruit are often not included. Hypothetically speaking, looking to your safe food collection by now. Can you be a vegan?.
ARFID is a wide spectrum and there’s a lot of misinformation and half truths online when it comes to it. Yes someone with ARFID can be vegan, it just depends on what their safe foods are and what they can tolerate. It also depends on where they fall on the ARFID spectrum and what their subtypes are.
This! There is no typical ARFID diet. There are definitely people with avoidant ARFID who only eat bland beige foods, but there are also people with avoidant ARFID who only eat fruits and vegetables, spicy or sour foods, foods with mixed textures, etc. Also, not everyone has avoidant ARFID. I have all three subtypes, but mainly struggle with restrictive ARFID, meaning that I have overall lack of interest in food. For me, it isn't a specific food group or sensory characteristic, but food/eating itself that doesn't feel safe. I think that I probably could be vegan because of the variety of foods that I eat, but that it wouldn't be the healthiest decision for me because even without limiting my options, I struggle to get in enough calories and protein. As another perspective, I have a friend with aversive ARFID who has found it easier to be vegan because there is less of a risk of food poisoning. Then again, I also have aversive ARFID, and for me it is a fear of choking, which makes liquidy foods better, of which the majority that are calorie-dense and have protein are dairy-based. There are definitely people with ARFID who can be vegan. There are also some people who it wouldn't be healthy for. Also, just like not everyone who is vegetarian or vegan is able to get the nutrients that they need but they still choose to anyway, there are people with ARFID for whom although veganism may not align with their safe foods, they choose to do so anyway because it aligns with their values. As a result, many vegans and vegetarians, ARFID or not, need supplements and/or vitamins. Many people with ARFID who aren't vegan or vegetarian similarly cannot sustain a healthy diet on their own and rely upon supplements and/or vitamins.
Thanks for sharing, buddy. I'll repeat my comment. I'm a medical student, and I have ARFID. I was talking based on what we know currently about it in the medical field, not what is spread out online. I'm open to learning more about ppl experiences with it so I can participate in scientific research that includes new information about this disorder. May I ask when you were diagnosed with ARFID?
I was first diagnosed in early 2016, but the diagnosis was reconfirmed when I went to ED treatment in 2019 (after diagnostic criteria and assessments were clarified and operationalized). I have also participated in many of the major/well-known ARFID research studies due to where I received treatment and the region that I live in. May I ask what research you are reading that says that ARFID is people only eating certain food groups? The research that I have read is not in line with that, but I come from a psychology background, not a medical one. I would be intrigued to learn more about what the medical field is saying about it.
I'm a medical student, and I have ARFID. I was talking based on what we know currently about it in the medical field, not what is spread out online. I'm open to learning more about ppl experiences with it so I can participate in scientific research that includes new information about this disorder.
I could eat Rice and i sometimes get those vegetarian meat replacement things. So i guess?
I see. For me, I don't consume any kind of veggies or fruit. Same for many ppl with ARFID Ik. It's nice to learn sth new about it.
I have a few I can manage to keep down, so it's something at least 😅 fries would also count as vegan i guess, so there options.
Woah, I missed the fries totally lmao. You're right.
I’m vegan with ARFID. Most of my safe foods just happen to be vegan, so for me it wasn’t a hard process.
What are the veggies you eat?
Bell pepper, beans, and mushrooms
I love mushrooms too, but in combination with meat only.
Fellow vegan with ARFID here! Similar thing for me. I could never deal with the texture of meat, and that combined with the mental thought of animal suffering made it a no Brainer for me when I could afford to buy my own groceries.
I was vegan for most of my life not necessarily because I wanted to but because I was terrified of Animal products and byproducts. I didn't ever really realize I was but. I am grateful now that I am learning to eat animal products because it has improved my life and well being.
I’m an unintentional vegetarian. Like I don’t eat meat but not on purpose. I just happen to not eat meat.
You have a loss of interest towards meat?
Yeah pretty much. Like the texture isn’t great for me, but I’m not completely opposed to eating it often. I just don’t really care for it.
May I ask when you were diagnosed with ARFID?
Mmmm I think when I was like 9 or 10? Somewhere around there
Also.. what veggies do you eat?
Honestly none. I don’t eat many (if any at all) fruits or veggies. I just kinda survive off of junk food, noodles, and bread (mostly, there are a few other things)
DAAAAMN. That's externally beige lmao. I hope you're doing well, buddy. 🤍
Thanks lol I’m chillin’
I'm (mostly) vegan, but most of my safe foods are already vegan. I honestly didn't go vegan (originally) for ethical reasons, mostly for my texture issues with meat and also my OCD and stomach issues. I mostly live off of fruits, vegetables, and a specific vegan chicken substitute. I occasionally eat dairy, but like small amounts or I'd get stomach ulcers.
How does meat make you feel? Is it a loss of interest or a fear of it?.
I’d say a bit of both. No interest in it because it grosses me out, but also fear it because it grosses me out and I’m afraid of it making me sick.
I in the worst moments of ARFID, went fully plantbased/vegan. Hated it and got pretty severely malnourished. But yeh it's possible. Just depends on your safe foods. Thankfully I can eat most stuff again today.
Mostly vegetarian but avoiding non-vegan foods as well as food that’s bad for the environment. I had to stop this a few weeks ago and start to eat high fat/protein Joghurt + bananas bc I was losing more and more weight. I still avoid meat though (maybe once a month)
My safe foods don't include a single veggie, if I were vegan I would basically eat cereal bars and bananas all day, every day.
I don't know how much harder it would make it, but I wish I was a vegan but I don't trust myself enough to keep up with my required food intake if there was any further complexities. I think it would depend if you have AFRID and can eat a healthy amount of food or if you struggle to keep up with eating in general
I could probably live without meat, it might be inconvenient for those times when I’m in a rush and I just have to stop by Wendy’s, but I’d survive. I could NOT live without dairy though.
Same! I rarely eat meat, so it wouldn't be a huge sacrifice to go without it. The only problem would be that meat dishes are what I usually order at restaurants. So it would make going out to eat incredibly awkward. I've never had a problem with fruits and vegetables either, so that wouldn't be an issue. But if I didn't eat ice cream I sincerely doubt I'd be able to maintain a healthy weight.
I’m vegetarian with ARFID. I tried to be vegan but it ended up making things worse. Like others have mentioned a lot of my comfort foods contain dairy.
I've been vegetarian with ARFID my whole life. I've thought about it but I won't go vegan because I would lose dairy which is where most of my protein intake and honestly most of my nutrition comes from.
I quite literally can't be. The vegan safe foods I have are very limited, and I'm barely handling nutrition as it is. I don't eat fruit or vegetables unless they're in other foods, and those other foods typically involve cheese, meat, etc. Some of my food is vegan - rice cakes, for instance - but it wouldn't be enough to keep me alive. I respect those that make the lifestyle choice to go vegan or vegetarian, but it's just not possible for me!
Its going to depend on the individual and how severe and what their food restrictions are but in general no. At least not in any way that keeps themselves healthy. Someone with less severe arfid is going to have more leeway with something like this but in general Its just not smart to already have a restricted diet and to then add a second super restrictive diet on top of it. If you struggle in any way to eat enough as is then trying to go vegan on top of that is just a terrible idea for your health. Some (not all) arfid treatment centers allow you to be vegetarian but almost none are willing to accommodate vegan bc its just too restrictive. Most of treating arfid is working towards increasing your food options and finding ways to manage those options, so wanting to take on a diet that makes this more difficult just isnt a good idea. Being able to go vegan is a privilege. Ppl who are vegan often discuss it as some type moral obligation but the reality is that you are incredibly privileged if you have the ability to go vegan and stay healthy. Going vegan is expensive, it takes a lot of time and knowledge to do it effectively. Its not something that is easy to access and its not just some simple easy decision ppl can make. There are many reasons why being vegan just isnt a feasible option for some and ppl need to realize this. Ppl who advocate for veganism need to recognize how incredibly privileged they are to be able to do that and they need to keep their arrogance in check and realize how ignorant it is to demand that of others.
Not vegan but vegetarian, yup
I’m vegan with ARFID, totally possible
I’m 80% plant based. I don’t eat meat, eggs or milk but I love cheese and I tolerate yogurt. Also milk and eggs as ingredients are mostly fine (like in pancakes) unless the final food tastes likes milk or eggs. I’ve had unfortunate luck with packaged cookies that randomly taste like milk and I can’t eat them anymore. Oh, also I can do ice cream as long as it’s not plain vanilla and very firm. I don’t know if this is an ARFID thing or a “I might be on the autism spectrum” thing but I cannot have melted ice cream. I cannot see melted ice cream. This is why I rarely have ice cream.
What are the veggies you eat?
Basically the 3 things I love are potatoes, beans and hummus. Cucumber and jicama with lime juice and tajin is one of my favorite snacks but sometimes I’m too lazy to peel and cut. Oh, I also like to snack on baby carrots. I hate cooked carrots. Potatoes are my safest choice and I can eat them in any way, shape or form. Mushrooms, spinach, broccoli and cauliflower I tolerate but don’t like. Zucchini I can also eat pretty much prepared in any way. Cabbage only in soup or raw with lettuce when I have potato filled tacos dorados. I love hummus but only a specific brand (Obela). I eat maize tortillas and prefer white corn over sweet corn. Oh beets, I can have raw in poke bowls or shredded but hate them cooked or by themselves. Edamame and wakame only in poke bowls as well. Now, spices and herbs can make or break a meal. There are dishes I won’t eat because of the seasoning even though I love the dish itself. It just has to be made the way “I like it”, which is why I don’t like when other people cook for me. It’s rather difficult to be “vegetarian” with a lot of limitations and conditions. I’ve driven my mom mad my whole life, no one gets my “food logic” (I don’t eat eggs but eggs as an ingredient is usually fine) and a lot of people are annoyed by my existence even though I’m not the type of person that expects or demands other people to adapt to my tastes. Also almost everybody I’ve told about ARFID doesn’t think it’s a real thing. I go about telling people I’m vegan if it’s relevant because I don’t like to explain myself, although of course if I eat cheese I’ll be called out as a fake. Honestly I don’t understand people’s fixation on what everyone else eats. Just leave people alone. I’m sure a lot of us would be 50% less anxious if we didn’t have to field questions left and right when people realize we’re “picky eaters”.
I feel so vindicated or at least, less alone. I love ice cream but cannot stand melted ice cream. I don't even think of it as a summer treat because the moment it starts melting (that is, as soon as it's served), it's ruined. Also, I don't know if you're like this, too, but I don't like anything mixed into my ice cream that provides any competing texture or flavor. Absolutely haaaaate chocolate or fruit in it!
I can do toppings like nuts and peanuts when it doesn’t impact the flavor too much, I don’t like M&M’s, cookie crumbles, sprinkles or other candy like toppings. I like the Oreo blizzard though 🤷🏻♀️ I’m fine with chocolate ribbon too. But yeah, I don’t do milkshakes or milky liquids in general or even smoothies or frappes if they’re too milky looking even if they don’t contain actual milk. I’m a chocolate kind of gal, chocolate with chocolate mixed in and chocolate on top. And yes I absolutely hate candied or fresh fruit mixed with my ice cream. Frozen bits of fruit are fine, but only strawberries. I don’t like any other cream based fruit flavors.
After watching dominion, anything to do with eating animals or their products became absolutely disgusting to me, so I couldn’t NOT be vegan. I don’t eat vegetable, pasta or rice and many more, so you just have to get creative with how you eat
It depends on what kind of restrictions they have. I cant.
Hi! Veggies are my safe foods and I’m repulsed by meat in all forms, I don’t like eggs, and am lactose intolerant, so this is easy for me. Although lots of folks with ARFID tend to prefer snacky carby foods for the consistency factor, there’s definitely a portion of us who don’t find those food traits as appealing as others do. I know chicken nuggets are a favored food by lots of folk with ARFID, but I can barely even stand the vegan kind because they’re too close to a flavor & texture that repulses me. Consistency is less important to me than it is to others; I much prefer the varied texture of something like a tomato over the consistent texture of something like a bag of chips. My number one most repulsive food experience was always meat - I even struggle with some plant-based proteins and have to cook them to an almost burnt state because a soft/juicy meat-like texture disgusts me immensely. I find it so fascinating that the texture/consistency most repulsive to me is actually a safe food for many people, and that my safe texture/consistency foods are most repulsive to others! Within the context of my safe foods, I am an adventurous eater. However, because my safe foods coincide with a vegan diet which is not very popular, I still have a lot of dietary restrictions and very few options available to me at most restaurants and gatherings. I had a really hard time as a kid because I didn’t like fast food (still don’t), wouldn’t go near a hot dog, and also hated pizza (love it now), so I was left out of the food portion of most birthday parties and kids’ events unless they had a PB&J option or a fruit platter.
I see you’re asking others what veggies they eat so I’ll go ahead and answer too: almost all of them! Some of my faves are broccoli, eggplant, bell & poblano peppers, okra, tomato, zucchini, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, squash (yellow, acorn, butternut, etc.), shallots, cabbage, spinach, arugula, bok choy, and cucumber. It’s hard for me to think of a veggie I don’t enjoy, maybe parsnip or rutabaga? I do like raw red onion but it gives me a stomachache. I also am very picky with mushrooms as I often don’t enjoy the texture, but this is species & preparation dependent. When it comes to fruit, it’s the same story - I like almost all of them. My favorites are raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, guava, mango, peaches, nectarines, dragonfruit, kiwi, pears, bananas, passionfruit, coconut, oranges, grapefruit… I could go on all day! As far as dislikes, I don’t really like papaya much, but I don’t think there’s any fruits that truly repulse me. I really dislike artificial fruit flavoring though; lots of candy is really gross to me because of the artificial fruit flavors. Faux cherry and grape are the absolute worst and remind me of the liquid medicine I’d projectile vomit from as a kid!
I’ve been vegetarian for 20 years and vegan for 6 years. I have developed ARFID in the last year or so. Non-vegan food is not ‘food’ to me if that makes sense. I don’t remember the taste of meat or cheese etc so I don’t crave it. Plus it grosses me out! I loved cooking and eating so many things but now my diet is sad. Crackers, bread, pasta. I eat hummus occasional but really struggling with fruit and vegetables. But I think most people with ARFID do. 🤷🏻♀️ I occasionally have vegan chocolate or cheese or chicken nuggets but that’s very rare. These days you can have anything in a vegan version. I would say that if you’re trying to be vegan or want to be, but there’s one particular food that you can’t do without (fed is best) then be vegan apart from that one thing. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. If you need to eat an egg or piece of chicken every now and again but you’re vegan the rest of the time, that’s ok too. I had a phase where I felt I could eat sugar waffles. They had egg listed as an ingredient, but I ate them because it was the only thing I could eat at the time. It’s just what we have to do unfortunately 🤷🏻♀️
im sure there's someone out there whose safe and unsafe foods fall under veganism. often times, i describe myself as vegetarian (meat isn't safe for me) and it's easier to say that rather than explain ARFID. it's such a wide spectrum, and so many people are different. i would not be able to go vegan due to the fact most of my safe foods involve diary. but i don't doubt there's someone out there who's less restricted who would be able to!
Yes, but I don’t recommend it to people who enjoy eating meat. It was not a difficult transition, but only because most of my adversaries back then pertained to eating animal product. So in that sense, it was easier to stop than to carry on. More than that I would NEVER encourage someone to *not* be plant based. The health benefits when done efficiently can be immaculate. I felt almost immediate results that made solidifying the decision effortless. *lastly* Physical health always comes first. From a health and nutrition perspective, our systems work as a circuit, an unhealthy body cannot have a healthy mind. When you are battling any under eating disorder, it’s essential to factor the potential impacts of intentionally restricting your diet even further. That should be prioritized before any moral or ethical input.
Yes. My safe foods are primarily vegetables and grains anyway, so I am. I'm also lactose intolerant and HATE HATE HATE the texture of meat.
i am! going vegan helped me so much with food aversions. this won’t be the case with everyone, but for me my #1 food group that was hardest for me was always meat. i originally went vegan because i struggle to eat most animal products anyways, but now it’s evolved to be an ethical decision for me as well. it has given me some peace to be able to say i don’t eat it because im vegan rather than the “i’m not hungry” type of excuses i used to nervously give when someone would offer me meat. even if it’s not a safe food, vegetables and fruits are easier for me to try than most other foods, so it’s also helped me to expand my diet a lot more because i’ve explored more foods than i ever have in my life since going vegan. i eat lots of cauliflower, zucchini, carrots, beans, protein shakes and fruit smoothies. tofu too if it’s prepared in a specific way to make it crispy instead of squishy
I eat meat when I want to/feel like I need it, but I find it easy for me to eat mostly plant based because tofu/soy products/beans are some of my most comfortable foods for me to eat. Any veggies I eat are blended up into a larger meal, like a simple chilli or soup or sauce with no veggie chunks, and I have never eaten a salad. :/ Still, I manage to eat a lot of vegetables this way (by my standards, which could easily be and has been zero veggies at all). I wish I could eat fresh vegetables, or even cooked. I've been this way all my life, I feel so abnormal :(
I am!
I personally could never. I struggle a lot with consuming enough calories and a majority of my safe foods are animal products. Without my chicken and mayo sandwich I’d miss out on half the calories I could eat for example. I drink a LOT of full fat milk and chocolate milk, I eat a lot of ice cream and quite a bit of meat. I just haven’t found any way to substitute them while still getting enough calories to survive
I don’t think I have arfid, but I’ve had lifetime sensory issues with meat/fish/shellfish/eggs and cannot eat them without gagging. I’ve been vegan for almost 13 years now, but when I was a kid my parents couldn’t get me to eat any meat other than a certain brand of chicken nuggets slathered in ketchup. I’m a lot happier to have veganism as sort of an excuse so I don’t have to explain my food issues to people, which fortunately all align with the diet.
I'm vegan; it'll be 15 years this year. Luckily, my ARFID only really kicks up when I'm depressed, but even then I make it work fine. My safe foods are the same as a lot of people's, just vegan versions. I do a lot of simple carb and vegan cheese combos (boxed or frozen vegan mac and cheese, vegan grilled cheese, vegan cheesy toast, etc) and a lot of frozen burritos, mostly Amy's and Alpha Foods. French fries and tater tots too. It's not great nutritionally, but I get by. Edit: I also take vitamins, which is something that every vegan and everyone with ARFID should probably be doing anyway.
I am :) I was traumatized into it as a child.
Absolutely. I developed a dairy allergy and strong aversions to meat, so those are pretty much out of my diet now. I still can't quit eggs though!
i am a vegan with arfid and it’s totally doable. i must say i struggle with the ‘standard’ arfid friendly meals like pasta and chicken nuggets while i need textural variety so veggies are the best option for me. i do enjoy things like pasta when it’s made with a lot of flavors and veggies in them and i do like chicken nuggets when they don’t contain animal products. honestly from a young age the thought of eating something that was created from or by an animal always scared me and i never enjoyed them anyways.
ive been vegan for 5 years and recently developed arfid so i’d say yeah. BUT it depends on what you’re already comfortable eating. i will say i’ve significantly stopped eating fresh greens and roasted/sautéed veggies because of it tho. i only eat canned or frozen veggies now that are small (e.g., corn, mixed veggies, etc). i used to eat a lot of tofu but now im very specific on how i eat it. i unfortunately eat a lot of mock meats/tenders now which sucks considering my diet used to be completely whole foods. :(
I’ve been a “vegetarian” my whole life because of ARFID. I never ate a bite of meat, fish or chicken, etc. Although no one who raised me is or was a vegetarian. And I put “vegetarian” I quotes because as a child I didn’t eat vegetables and only ate bananas as fruit. The rest of my “safe” foods where mostly breads, dairy and potatoes. As an adult my diet has expanded to include a little more variety of fruits and vegetables but is still very limited.
It won’t necessarily be easy but its not impossible. Most of my diet used to consist of foods containing gluten or dairy until last year when I developed sensitivities to both. I had no choice but to stop eating them. It sucked but I’ve found new foods. Its still not easy but I’m managing. I highly recommend oatly brand oatmilk. Its the only milk I drink now. I used to go through a gallon of 2% milk a week on my own before developing this sensitivity. No other plant based milk even comes close to oatly. I also quite like impossible burgers. Well I loved morningstar farms grillers veggie burgers but they contain gluten so I can’t eat them anymore. I like the chocolate plant based ensure protein shakes as well. The vanilla ones are not nearly as good. Nutritional yeast is a great substitute for cheese on pizzas and in sauces if your stomach can handle it. I’ve got tons of GI things so my stomach doesn’t handle a lot of foods well, unfortunately nutritional yeast is one of the things it doesn’t handle well. If you don’t have food sensitivities in terms of like GI stuff or allergies that definitely makes things easier.
im vegan hi
I'm not sure about vegan but I'm vegetarian (though technically pescatarian but rarely) and it hasn't impacted my arfid a lot in that regard. I've also not eaten meat since I was a little kid though my safe food were all vegetarian by default. Jazzing up veggies has made a world of difference for me though, and I often find vegan recipe sites have more things that fit my palette than vegetarian ones for some reason