012 - What Caregivers Need to Know About ARFID (with Nathalia Trees)

In this episode, Jenni Gaines and Laura Cohen sit down with Nathalia Trees, a certified eating disorder Registered Dietitian, to unpack ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), a diagnosis that often gets mistaken for simple picky eating. Nathalia breaks down the three presentations of ARFID, explains why a malnourished brain makes food trials nearly impossible without nutritional rehabilitation first, and offers a realistic picture of what success actually looks like in treatment. Listeners will come away with a clearer understanding of when to raise a red flag with their pediatrician, who should be on their child's treatment team, and how to manage the anxiety and fatigue that come with supporting a loved one through recovery.

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer

01:11 Guest Introduction: Nathalia Trees

03:20 What Is ARFID? The Three Presentations

05:20 How ARFID Differs from Anorexia, Bulimia, and Anxiety Disorders

07:30 Motivation vs. Anxiety in ARFID Treatment

09:10 Picky Eating vs. ARFID: Where's the Line?

11:20 First Steps for Caregivers: Advocating with Your Pediatrician

15:06 What Does ARFID Treatment Look Like?

16:20 Why Nutrition Rehabilitation Comes Before Food Trials

18:15 Weight Gain Goals and Growth Curve Realities

19:55 The Malnourished Brain: Why Food Trials Can't Come First

23:26 What Does Success Actually Look Like?

25:45 Tracking Progress and Celebrating Small Wins

26:00 Common Setbacks: Travel, Illness, and Food Fatigue

29:40 Building Your Treatment Team: Who Does What

33:15 Caregiver Anxiety and Distress Tolerance at the Table

36:01 Is There a Timeline for ARFID Recovery?

38:08 When to Consider a Higher Level of Care

SUPPORT & RESOURCES

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

FEAST website:

https://feast-ed.org/

FEAST flyer:

https://feast-ed.org/programs-and-services/

FEAST Webinar - Feeding Without Fear: Navigating Nutrition in ARFID

Feeding Without Fear: Navigating Nutrition in ARFID - YouTube

FEAST Family Guide - Beyond Picky Eating: Strategies for Navigating ARFID and Supporting Your Loved One (with Nathalia Trees)

https://feast-ed.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/FamilyGuide_BeyondPickyEating_2026_v1.2.pdf

Guest Bio:

Nathalia Trees is a certified eating disorder Registered Dietitian and consultant specializing in the treatment of adults and adolescents with eating disorders. She was granted a Bachelor of Science from the University of Colorado and a Master of Science in clinical nutrition from Tufts University. She completed her dietetics internship at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA.

Nathalia’s experience spans over 13 years in medical nutrition therapy, nutrition education, public speaking, and eating disorder related research. Her passion is advocacy, training, and education for current and future dietitians and helping individuals rebuild their relationship with food. Nathalia’s approach focuses on non-diet centered, weight inclusive, and compassionate care. Nathalia’s leadership style focuses on community, connection, and striving for clinical excellence in the field of eating disorders.