I’ve never officially been diagnosed with ARFID, but I am autistic and I believe I may fall within the criteria. I almost certainly would have done for my childhood and teenage years. I have very slowly introduced some new foods over the years, but most of my safe-foods have remained the same.
I eat the same lunch almost every day; a toasted cheese and ham sandwich. I can also eat chicken sandwiches, plain cheese sandwiches, and on a particularly brave day I might manage an egg sandwich.
For dinner, I cycle through a few options. Chicken nuggets and chips, plain cheeseburger and chips, pasta with tomato sauce (I don’t actually eat anything from the sauce, it’s just for flavour), pasta with tomato sauce and meatballs, margherita pizza (occasionally with ham), macaroni and cheese (as long as it’s not too creamy), or chicken and noodle stir fry (depending on the vegetables and the sauce). If we get a takeaway, I’ll either get one of the above or plain duck pancakes (no sauce) and egg fried rice. I can have potatoes in most forms, providing they’re not too creamy, so sometimes I have potatoes and grilled or roasted chicken.
I prefer most vegetables raw rather than cooked, because they can be cooked so many ways and often the textures are awful. So I like raw broccoli, raw carrot, raw green beans and peas.
I’m fine with most biscuits and chocolate, some ice cream, and some fruit.
Like many here, I began to eat a wider range of food once I had control over what I was eating. Some of my issues trying new foods were also caused by emetophobia, which is by no means cured but eases a little by anti-anxiety medication.
It also helps that my friends and family are aware that new foods make me uncomfortable, and they sometimes encourage me to try new things without any pressure. Many of the more recent additions to my list have been suggestions from trusted friends.