ARFID Nutrition Therapy

If you’re looking for an ARFID dietitian in California, you’ve found the right place. ARFID — Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder — is one of the most misunderstood feeding and eating disorders. It’s not picky eating, it’s not a phase, and it’s not something that resolves with pressure or simply “trying harder.”

ARFID affects people of all ages and can look very different from person to person. For some, it’s driven by sensory sensitivities to texture, smell, or appearance. For others, it’s rooted in fear of choking, vomiting, or a past traumatic eating experience. In many cases, it’s a combination — with anxiety woven throughout.

At Fueled Nutrition Therapy, Elika Imandel is an ARFID dietitian in California offering specialized nutrition therapy designed to meet clients exactly where they are — with patience, structure, and no pressure.

Progress in ARFID recovery isn’t about eating every food or achieving perfect variety—it’s about lowering fear, building flexibility, and improving overall health.

ARFID in Adults: Working With a California ARFID Dietitian

Who ARFID Nutrition Therapy For

Children and teens whose limited food variety is affecting growth, nutrition, or daily functioning

Adults living with ARFID who have never received a formal diagnosis or appropriate support

Neurodivergent individuals (including those with autism or ADHD) who experience significant food-related sensory challenges

Families navigating mealtimes that feel overwhelming, tense, or isolating

What ARFID Nutrition Therapy Looks Like

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to ARFID — and Elika doesn't pretend otherwise. Sessions are individualized, paced by the client, and grounded in the understanding that trust and safety must come before any food expansion can happen.

Comprehensive ARFID Assessment

Understanding your specific ARFID presentation — sensory sensitivities, fear responses, nutritional gaps, and food history — before building any plan.

Sensory-Informed Strategies

Practical tools that account for texture, temperature, smell, and appearance preferences — not just what you eat, but how.

Nutritional Safety First

Addressing any nutritional deficiencies or growth concerns to establish a baseline of physical safety and wellbeing.

Family Collaboration

Guidance for parents and caregivers on how to support without pressure, make mealtimes less stressful, and communicate effectively around food.

Gentle Food Exposure Support

Gradual, pressure-free strategies to build familiarity and reduce anxiety around new or avoided foods — at your pace

Interdisciplinary Coordination

Collaboration with therapists, occupational therapists, physicians, and feeding specialists as part of a comprehensive care team.

ARFID in Adults: You're Not Alone

Many adults with ARFID have spent years feeling embarrassed or misunderstood. Social events, work lunches, travel, and dating can feel complicated in ways that are hard to explain. As an ARFID dietitian serving California via telehealth, Elika provides a non-judgmental space for adult clients to address both the nutritional and emotional dimensions of living with ARFID — without shame, and without being told to "just try it." For more information about ARFID, visit the National Eating Disorders Association.

Fuel Better. Feel Better.

Let’s create a plan that works for your body, your goals, and your life.

Serving Clients Across California

ARFID nutrition therapy is available via telehealth throughout California — including the Los Angeles area, Westlake Village, and the Conejo Valley. Virtual sessions make it easier to access specialized care that can be hard to find locally.