Healthier Tomorrows takes a thoughtful and individualized approach to working with clients struggling with food aversions, selective eating and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Our registered dietitians understand and appreciate that eating can be difficult for many reasons. Whether eating feels like a chore, you are forgetting to eat or the sensory qualities of food make it hard to eat, we can help! We work with clients of all ages, including children, adolescents and teenagers, who struggle with food aversions and limited food variety, and who find eating difficult.
We work closely with our clients to understand what makes food and eating stressful for them specifically, and we consider everything from grocery shopping to cooking to eating. As part of that work, our team provides ideas, encouragement and support to help our clients identify the stressors in their lives, and make changes designed to reduce stress and help them to create a more enjoyable eating experience. In order to support the development of a more positive relationship with eating, we also help our clients to establish a regular routine of eating, increase overall nutrition (if needed), and learn to recognize and respond to body cues that indicate hunger and fullness. We also offer instruction on food preparation, menu planning, food storage and other practical food-related skills. As part of our individualized approach, we address any health or growth concerns that are specific to our clients, and look for creative solutions if food variety is limited.
We also conduct food exposures with our clients when requested and appropriate. We take a step-by-step approach, which can range from food preparation and cooking together, going out to eat, interacting with new food in session (whether in-person or virtually) or planning exposures that our clients can do on their own. Our approach emphasizes reducing the stress and anxiety that surrounds new and unfamiliar food and food situations, and we find that our clients develop curiosity and are more likely to want to try different foods when eating is no longer stressful or coercive. When appropriate, we also involve our clients, caregivers and loved ones in the process of learning how to make eating less stressful and trying new foods, and we always proceed at a pace that feels comfortable for our clients. Our approach to food exposures is gentle and collaborative, and we know that repetition and patience are key. Our dietitians are available to provide support and guidance at each step along the way, and, together, we will build food-related skills based on each client’s individual needs!
We truly believe that all of our clients can have a more neutral and enjoyable eating experience!
We are a warm and affirming practice that is open to clients of all physical abilities, races, sizes, ages, gender identities, religions and ethnic groups.
