Embark on a transformative journey from Anorexia Nervosa recovery to full recovery and holistic well-being. Our certified medical nutrition therapy dietitians provide compassionate care to guide you toward lasting healing and empower you to reclaim food and body trust and freedom, embracing life with a renewed sense of wellness and vitality.
At Side By Side Nutrition, our certified medical nutrition therapy dietitians provide personalized, one-on-one nutrition counseling specifically tailored for individuals facing Anorexia Nervosa. Our dietitians are based in Colorado Springs and Fort Collins, Colorado, as well as Woodinville, Washington, and we work with patients from all over the state and country, providing in-person and online nutrition counseling.
Our approach is grounded in a holistic philosophy that prioritizes behaviors, and overall well-being, fostering a positive relationship with food and our bodies, and practicing self-compassion rather than fixating on numbers. This philosophy forms the foundation of values-aligned, intuitive, sustainable health and well-being. Our focus lies in assisting clients in cultivating a sustainable, empathetic, respectful, and trusting connection with food, body image, and self.
Anorexia Nervosa, a type of eating disorder, triggers an intense fear of weight gain, leading to distorted body image, struggles in maintaining a healthy weight, fear and distrust of food, food and body preoccupation and anxiety, all of which can result in medical and psychological complications. It presents in two subtypes: the restrictive subtype, characterized by severely limiting food intake to sustain a low body weight, and the binge-eating/purging subtype, which involves a combination of food restriction alongside binge-eating and/or purging behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, and misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.
Anorexia Nervosa can affect individuals regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, job occupation, sexual orientation, ability, neurodiversity, race, ethnicity, or body shape and size.
Although it may seem very overwhelming to navigate recovery, it's important to acknowledge that complete recovery is attainable and support is available. Our team of specialized professionals is uniquely positioned to collaborate with you and the treatment team, guiding you towards achieving full recovery.
Anorexia Nervosa does not discriminate, and anyone, regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, ability, neurodiversity, body shape and size, race, or ethnicity, can be at risk. The widespread occurrence of anorexia nervosa across various demographics underscores their potential impact on individuals from all backgrounds. It's vital to understand that susceptibility to eating disorders is not confined to any particular group, underscoring the need for broad awareness, education, and support for all.
Psychological elements, genetic predisposition, and concurrent mental health conditions also significantly influence vulnerability. Recognizing these factors is crucial for early intervention and support, highlighting the necessity of addressing anorexia across diverse populations.
In recent years, the incidence of anorexia nervosa among adolescents has been increasing. While anorexia can impact individuals of any age or gender, girls and young women between the ages of 13 and 19, as well as those in their early 20s, are particularly vulnerable. The Journal of Pediatrics reports that from 2018 to 2022, health visits for eating disorders more than doubled among adolescents and children under 17.
Anorexia nervosa is on of the most well-known and misunderstood eating disorders. Its causes stem from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. There isn't a single cause that fully explains its development, but recognizing these various influences allows for a more compassionate and informed approach to treating the disorder.
We believe people are meant to discover true nourishment through a self-compassionate, self-accepting, and holistic lens. In our practice, our clients are empowered to become their own nutrition experts. Our role is to gently lead them towards body trust and acceptance, and ultimately, open up their lives to more.
We want to work with you.
The Side by Side Nutrition team has a team of 12+ outpatient registered dietitians. We provide online nutrition counseling to patients in Colorado and around the country. We offer one-on-one and family nutrition counseling for patients either online or in person, with offices located in Colorado Springs and Fort Collins. We specialize in eating disorder recovery and body image healing.
RD - Registered Dietitian
RDN - Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
MS - Masters of Science
Strive to create a safe and nurturing space for individuals on their journey to wellness.
Understand the profound impact that eating disorders can have on one's life.
Are committed to fostering a supportive community where every client feels seen, heard, and understood.
Work from an intuitive eating, HAES (Health at Every Size) Informed Approach.
Believe everyone has the right to high-quality care – accessibility and inclusivity are at the core of our values.
Stand firm in our belief in the possibility of full recovery.
Continually invest in our education to stay at the forefront of the field.
Are committed to ongoing learning.
Channel all our resources into becoming the best eating disorder nutritionist counselors.
Are dedicated to guiding our clients toward a life of lasting health and empowerment.
Our holistic approach begins with an in-depth initial evaluation, delving into your individual needs by exploring your history with food, body image, and overall health. With your consent, we engage in a collaborative process to grasp your objectives and hopes for our collaboration and your journey toward full recovery.
Our approach is centered on breaking free from the constant thoughts and behaviors associated with the eating disorder that keep individuals stuck in a cycle of distress. Together, we embark on a transformative journey to build trust in the body's natural cues and become intuitive and trusting eaters, allowing for a renewed sense of freedom and openness in life.
Our focus goes beyond merely managing symptoms; we aim to facilitate a profound transformation in how body image is perceived, fostering self-acceptance and a genuine appreciation for one's unique self. By breaking down the mental and emotional barriers imposed by the eating disorder, we empower our clients to embrace a life free from never-ending negative food and body image thoughts, nurturing a newfound sense of joy, purpose, and opportunity. Follow-up sessions are central to our collaborative efforts. We thoroughly explore your connection with food and body, addressing obstacles and co-creating personalized strategies. We delve into body image examination, dismantling external pressures of food and body negativity, and establishing supportive frameworks as necessary. Our objective is to assist you in broadening the spectrum and adaptability of your eating habits, learning to nuture and tend to your body's signals of hunger and satisfaction, and cultivating a joyful relationship with both food and body.
Throughout your journey, we offer unwavering support, navigating the inevitable ups and downs. We celebrate your progress and stand by you as you cross the finish line. Our mission is not only eating disorder recovery but also the cultivation of a life that is rich, meaningful, and fully aligned with your values. We believe in the importance of this journey and the therapeutic relationship, and our dedicated dietitians are here to guide you every step of the way.
We are committed to ensuring that our clients have access to healthcare, and we make every effort to facilitate this. We accept insurance plans such as BlueCross Blue Shield (Anthem/Regence), United HealthCare (Optum), Aetna, and Cigna.
All Registered Dietitians (RD or RDN) are qualified nutritionists, but not all nutritionists hold the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential. The term "nutritionist" is not regulated, allowing anyone to use it, which complicates distinguishing individuals with comprehensive nutrition education (e.g., CN or CNS) from those with minimal training such as weekend courses or self-study.
The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD or RDN) designation is nationally recognized and provides certain assurances. It indicates that the individual has met specific criteria, including obtaining at least a bachelor's degree in nutrition science, completing a supervised practice program of over 1200 hours, passing a national registration exam, and fulfilling extensive continuing education requirements for license renewal. Our dietitian nutritionists are also licensed in states where licensure is mandatory.
Other practitioners who may identify as nutritionists, such as health coaches, holistic nutritionists, nutrition therapy practitioners, and personal trainers with "nutrition certifications," may lack formal nutrition training. Consequently, their services are ineligible for insurance reimbursement nationwide because they are not recognized as nutrition experts.
Recent “graduate” from Side by Side Nutrition. I started working with SBSN to figure out how food worked after having an eating disorder for years. And I’m so happy I got so much more than that! SBSN introduced me to Self-Compassion and met me with an approach that never included shaming me. I looked forward to our sessions every week, even if I hadn’t done any of my work, because I knew she’d be understanding and work with me to figure out what I needed to make it happen. And none of that compassion and presence was lost when we had to switch to telehealth. When I started, I didn’t think healing from an eating disorder was possible. And I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I’d come out of it with an unshakable love for my body (certainly not a plus size body with chronic illness)! I’m so glad circumstances sent me here because I know I wouldn’t have gotten to this place with my previous dietician! I am STRONG, I am CONFIDENT, and I am in LOVE with myself! Thank you so much for helping me on my journey here! It wasn’t easy, but it was so worth it!
— Michaela Myers