380 What If It’s Not Just Picky Eating? ARFID in ADHD & Autism Explained
I Have ADHD Podcast
Kristen Carder
4.8 • 3.1K Ratings
🗓️ 24 February 2026
⏱️ 52 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode, we’re diving into something I really wish I had known about sooner: ARFID — Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.
ARFID is a serious eating disorder that has nothing to do with body image or weight loss. Instead, it’s driven by things that are incredibly common for ADHD and autistic folks — sensory sensitivities, low appetite, lack of interest, anxiety, and fear of negative food experiences (like choking or vomiting).
If you or someone you love:
- forgets to eat to eat
- lives off a small list of “safe foods”
- feels overwhelmed by textures, smells, or food prep
- has been called a “picky eater” your whole life
…this episode might feel like a huge lightbulb moment.
We’re talking about:
- what ARFID actually is (and why it’s not just picky eating)
- how sensory issues, anxiety, and interoception play a role
- the real physical and emotional impacts
- why it shows up so often in neurodivergent people
- how support and treatment actually work
I’m also sharing personally — because learning about ARFID made me look at my own life and my kids in a completely new way.
If this episode resonates, please share it with someone who needs to hear:
https:///www.ihaveadhd.com/10things
Watch this episode on YouTube
Want help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!
Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343
Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTok
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | This episode is sponsored by Marley Spoon. Every year I tell myself, I'm going to get better at meal |
| 0:06.2 | planning. And every year, life happens. And it all falls apart. What finally clicked for me is |
| 0:12.7 | realizing that meals don't have to look one specific way. They just have to fit your life. And that's |
| 0:18.7 | what Marley Spoon does so well. What I love is that Marley Spoon actually |
| 0:22.8 | adapts with you. Some nights you cook, some nights you heat, and some nights you just need dinner |
| 0:28.0 | done fast. They've got options for all of it without overthinking it. They give you over a hundred |
| 0:34.5 | chef designed recipes to choose from every week with quality |
| 0:38.1 | ingredients and flavors that actually make eating at home feel exciting again. Comforting classics, |
| 0:44.0 | fresh, balanced meals, there's something for every mood. And on those nights when I need dinner done |
| 0:49.1 | like yesterday, their prepared meals are lifesavers, convenient, delicious, and on the table in minutes. |
| 0:55.8 | If I do have a little more energy, their 20-minute meals or tray-baked dinners are my favorite |
| 1:00.6 | hack. |
| 1:01.2 | You literally throw everything on one tray. |
| 1:03.6 | They even include the tray, and you're done. |
| 1:06.4 | One of my recent favorites was their chicken parmesan chabata sandwiches. |
| 1:10.6 | Every single member of my family |
| 1:13.0 | ate and enjoyed that meal. And that is a rarity in the Carter home. Believe me. The best part is |
| 1:19.5 | I am cooking at home more, stressing about food less and eating better without trying to become a |
| 1:25.8 | whole new person. This year, fast track your way to |
| 1:29.1 | eating well with Marley Spoon. Head to MarleySpoon.com slash offer slash I have ADHD for up to 25 free meals. |
| 1:37.2 | That's Marley Spoon.com slash offer slash I have ADHD for up to 25 free meals. |
| 1:44.4 | Marley Spoon. |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Kristen Carder, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Kristen Carder and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.