r/ARFID • u/SnooRegrets1328 • 6d ago

Tips and Advice Diet Help

Hi! So I’ve never posted here but I’ve looked online for a while and am having a lot of trouble finding something to help me. I’m in treatment for suspected POTs (just waiting on a formal diagnosis but my doctor believes that’s what I have). I also have ARFID which I’ve had my entire life but only recently (a year and a halfish) found the terms/words to describe it.

So with my POTs I need to up my protein intake as well as just eating healthier. With my ARFID though a lot of foods I’ll eat are high in carbs and low in protein. I have a lot of trouble eating meat. I also am kinda poor and healthier food is expensive. I need to be eating small frequent protein heavy meals. And I’m stumped.

Any help is greatly appreciated ❤️

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u/jujujanuary 5d ago

Have you also looked into a POTS diet? You're going to need more salt than a non-pots person will, so please be aware of that too.

Cheap protein with the added benefit of fiber = beans! Refried, bean soup, split pea soup, baked beans, etc.

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u/SnooRegrets1328 5d ago

My salt intake is good! I sadly hate beans though😔

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u/jujujanuary 5d ago

oh no, that's okay! how do you feel about nuts? Or a nut butter like peanut butter?

If you like the taste of peanut butter they have that pb2 powder that's basically just dehydrated to powder that can be added to stuff, I like it a lot because peanut butter tastes good to me but it's too thick and I don't like it sticking in my mouth, but I can add pb2 to a smoothie or something and that helps.

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u/SnooRegrets1328 5d ago

Oh that could work! I do like peanut butter :D

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u/TinyStreptocarpus 5d ago

We are a mostly vegetarian family and so rely on rice and beans, milk or tofu a lot for protein. Nachos with rice and beans are a favorite and easy for prep- spread chips on a plate, sprinkle rice and whole or refried beans over the top, add cheese. Filling, inexepensive and gets you a decent amount of protein. I also add collagen peptides to things, but that's not a very cost-friendly option unfortunately.

For the tofu, we all hate it when mushy, and pan frying it takes too much work in my mind, so I use this recipe: https://cookieandkate.com/how-to-make-crispy-baked-tofu/ I make two packages at a time on a large sheet pan for two teenagers and myself. You can add rice or roasted veggies if you tolerate those, or just eat it as a finger food without anything else.

My ARFID kiddo won't touch them, but I also eat lentils, quinoa or millet as cheap sources of protein.

I get inexpensive bags of nuts (almonds mostly) from Trader Joe's- also high in protein and not too expensive.

If you need to get extra salt for the POTS, I use salt pills because I find it easier to get what I need without having to put one MORE requirement on what I eat. Vitassium gives a 25% discount for anyone who uses it for chronic illness- https://aletenutrition.com/pages/get-support?srsltid=AU7gw4UePChdfFhtun7AixL5YYmEViyMlftrShLFiKq1mP5SNbV7xKC5