If your child or young person has the eating disorder ARFID, holidays away from home can seem like a daunting process. Most parents and carers worry about what impact the holiday will have on their child’s eating, what foods will be available, where they will eat and even if they will eat at all.

ARFID is a complex eating disorder, and no two people experience it in the same way but, with some reasonable adjustments and lots of forward planning, children with ARFID and their families can still have an enjoyable holiday this summer.

About ARFID

ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is characterised by a person avoiding certain foods or types of food, having a restricted food intake, or both. It is not ‘fussy eating’ or a choice, and it is more common for autistic people.

People with ARFID will usually have a limited number of very specific ‘safe foods’ that they can eat, and it can link to sensory issues around textures, tastes and smells or bad past experiences with food.

If your child has ARFID, going on holiday can feel worrying, but there are lots of things you can do to help your child cope with this complex eating disorder when they are away from home.

Top tips for holidays with ARFID

• Take as much of your child’s safe food with you as you can. Don’t assume they’ll eat the local version of their food as it may look/taste/smell differently.
• Create a dietary card in the language of your chosen destination to explain your child’s eating disorder and what their dietary needs are.
• Contact your airline in advance and ask about additional medical hand luggage for your child’s safe foods or drinks. Most will accommodate this for free with a doctor’s letter outlining their condition and a list of the foods or drinks they need. Alternatively, take what you can in your hold luggage.
• Contact your accommodation and any local restaurants for copies of their menus so you can plan what they may be able to eat. Most restaurants and hotels will accommodate changes to their menus if made in advance. They may also allow you to bring your child’s safe food in. Talk to your child about what they’d like to do.
• If arranged in advance, many hotels will also provide different meals for people with ARFID and allow you to eat them away from the restaurant in your own accommodation.
• If your child is comfortable dining in the restaurant, it is worth reserving a quieter table or an outdoor table in advance for a more relaxed dining experience.
• Research local supermarkets to see what they stock and find out what local takeaway services have to offer.
• Reduce the pressure. Don’t expect your child to eat with you. They may feel more comfortable taking their food back to your accommodation or eating at different times. It may not be ideal for you, but if it supports their eating and reduces their anxiety, it will be worth it.