> Greentext

I have ARFID, and at least in my case, my diet isn't as restrictive as most stereotypes portray, even though my list of safe foods hasn't really expanded since I was in middle school. I was raised vegetarian, and have never eaten meat in my life AFAIK, and I that think helped me to have broader, or at least healthier tastes than many with my disorder.

I of course have some stereotypical safe foods, like fries, pizza (on which the only topping I will tolerate is pineapple) and mac & cheese, but that list also includes things like sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, and tofu stir fry.
The list of foods that I will not eat also has some things you may not expect, like most juices, sodas, and energy drinks, anything cherry flavored, and chocolate, which I will only eat if it's mixed with something like caramel or peanut butter.

There are some genuine benefits to ARFID as well in my case. The smell of red meat makes me nauseous, which has ensured I've stayed vegetarian into my adult life. it's also prevented me from getting hooked on caffeine or alcohol, as I can't stand the taste of coffee, tea or any alcoholic beverage.

My biggest barrier to eating healthy is actually executive dysfunction, rather than ARFID. The healthy foods I like all take some active prep work, whereas I can grab a box of cheese-its or throw tater tots in the oven with almost no effort.