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Achieve recovery. Heal your relationship with food and body.

Compassionate Nutrition Counseling for Autism and Binge Eating with a Dietitian Nutritionist in Colorado for Lasting Recovery and Wellbeing

Embark on a journey to a self-compassionate, trusting, empowering relationship food and body and holistic well-being. Our certified medical nutrition therapy dietitians, specializing in the intersection of binge eating and autism treatment, provide compassionate care to guide you toward lasting wellbeing and empower you to reclaim food and body trust and freedom. Embrace life with a renewed sense of wellness and vitality.

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What is the goal medical nutrition therapy for those who have autism and struggle with binge eating?

At Side By Side Nutrition, our certified medical nutrition therapy dietitians provide personalized, one-on-one nutrition counseling specifically tailored for individuals with autism and unique challenges they may face with nutrition and binge eating.  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 rooted in a weight-inclusive philosophy, emphasizing behaviors, whole-self wellbeing, trust with food and our bodies, and self-compassion over numbers.  This is the cornerstone of lasting health. We firmly believe that true wellness goes beyond the scale. We focus on helping clients discover a new sustainable, compassionate, respectful, and trusting relationship with food, body image, and self.

 

What challenges can people with autism face with binge eating and thier relationship with food?

The intersection of autism and an eating disorder can present unique challenges to an individual's relationship with food, nutrition, and body image, as well as to the recovery process. It's important to note that each person's experience is unique, and the impact of these challenges may vary. Here are some potential challenges:

  • Social Communication Difficulties: Individuals with autism often experience challenges in social communication and understanding social cues. This can affect their ability to express their feelings about food and body image, as well as hinder effective communication with healthcare providers and support systems.

  • Sensory Sensitivities: Many individuals with autism have sensory sensitivities, which can influence their preferences for certain textures, tastes, smells, and temperatures of food. This can complicate the process of achieving a balanced and varied diet, potentially contributing to nutritional deficiencies.

  • Rigidity and Routine: Individuals with autism often thrive on routine and may have a strong need for predictability. Changes in eating patterns or disruptions to established routines can be particularly distressing and may impact the ability to engage in flexible and varied eating habits, hindering recovery efforts.

  • Limited Repertoire of Foods: Some individuals with autism may have a limited repertoire of preferred foods, known as selective eating or food selectivity. This can make it challenging to meet nutritional needs and may contribute to the development or exacerbation of eating disorders.

  • Difficulty Expressing Emotions: Difficulties in expressing emotions or recognizing emotional states in oneself can complicate the identification and communication of emotional triggers for disordered eating behaviors. This may make it harder for individuals to seek and receive appropriate support.

  • Co-occurring Mental Health Conditions: Autism often coexists with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression. The presence of multiple conditions can complicate the treatment approach, requiring a comprehensive and integrated approach to address both autism-related challenges and the eating disorder.

  • Routine Medical Procedures and Sensitivities: Individuals with autism may experience heightened sensitivities to sensory stimuli, making routine medical assessments associated with eating disorders (e.g., weighing, physical examinations) particularly challenging and anxiety-inducing.

  • Social Isolation: Challenges in social interactions may lead to increased social isolation, impacting the individual's support system. This isolation can hinder recovery efforts, as social support is crucial in the treatment of eating disorders.

 
 

What does a dietitian do?

Our devoted team of nutrition experts specializing in eating disorders is dedicated to guiding clients toward a journey of healing that transcends fear and shame. By addressing concerns around food and dismantling negative body image perceptions and behaviors, we empower clients to reclaim ownership of their relationships with food and body and to shift their outlook, beliefs, and behaviors towards love, respect, and acceptance. This transformation paves the way for sustainable recovery and lasting wellbeing. Together, we strive to eradicate feelings of shame related to food and body image, identify triggers that fuel self-doubt, and nurture a trusting relationship with both food and body, creating space for our authentic selves and true values to emerge and thrive.

Recognizing that each individual holds the key to their own healing journey, our diverse team of medical nutrition specialists facilitates a process of self-exploration and empowerment. Recovery from an eating disorder and disorder eating extends beyond overcoming the eating disorder; it involves cultivating a rich and empowered life through healing around food and body image.

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What does nutrition therapy include?

 

A Comprehensive Initial Assessment

Our comprehensive approach begins with a thorough assessment centered on your unique needs, exploring your past and present relationship with food, body image, and health history. With your consent, we collaborate to understand your goals for our partnership, focusing on the unique challenges individuals with autism may encounter. In our specialized work with autism support, we prioritize holistic well-being by addressing the specific aspects related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Our aim is to foster a positive relationship with food and enhance overall health through personalized strategies tailored to your specific needs and aspirations within the context of autism.

 

Build Trust in the Body’s Natural Cues

Our focus is on understanding and addressing the unique challenges that individuals with autism may face in their daily lives. We aim to support individuals in navigating the specific factors related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that may impact their well-being. Together, we initiate a transformative journey to cultivate a positive relationship with various aspects of life, fostering a renewed sense of freedom and openness. Utilizing targeted interventions, we address the specific factors contributing to challenges associated with ASD, aiming to provide support and enhance overall well-being within the context of autism.

 

Go Beyond Symptom Management - Shift Body Image Perception

Our focus goes beyond mere symptom management; we aim to facilitate a profound shift in how individuals with autism perceive various aspects of their lives. We strive to bring about self-acceptance and a genuine appreciation for one's unique identity within the context of challenges associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By addressing the specific mental and emotional barriers related to ASD, we empower our clients to embrace a life free from constant mental strain, cultivating a newfound sense of joy, purpose, and possibility.

Follow-up sessions are integral to our collaborative work. We thoroughly explore your experiences related to autism, addressing challenges and co-creating personalized tools for effective management. We delve into aspects of self-discovery and dismantling external influences related to ASD, promoting a supportive environment tailored to your specific needs. Our goal is to assist you in navigating daily life with ASD, learning to respond to the unique cues of your body, and cultivating a positive and joyful relationship with various aspects of life within the context of autism and its unique challenges.

 

Continued Support

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. 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.

 

TESTIMONIALS

Testimonials List

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

I worked with SBSN at Side by Side after an eating disorder diagnosis, and it changed my life for the better. The entire team is incredibly supportive, patient, and full of resources. There's a lot of confusion out there about dieticians and nutritionists, and I'm lucky to have found a place that helped me the way no one ever had. I thought recovery was impossible for me, but it's not! You just have to find the right people, and that can take some digging. Side by Side is the real deal.

— Melanie Smith

As the director of an eating disorder outpatient clinic, licensed psychologist, and certified eating disorders specialist, I am extremely picky about the dietitians my team and I will collaborate with. I can say with full confidence that my team completely trusts Jamie Magdic and her entire team of dietitians. Jamie is incredibly compassionate and dedicated to her patients, in addition to being extremely knowledgeable . Side By Side Nutrition is one of our clinic's top picks for nutrition therapy. They are excellent, know eating disorders, and are actually weight-inclusive and HAES-informed. I would trust Side By Side Nutrition with any patient with any diagnosis in any stage of recovery.

— Dr. Janean Anderson

I started working with SBSN after 20 years of disordered eating and 3 years of eating disorder treatment. My RDs were always focused on my weight restoration and how I felt food, but never really got how I felt about my body. I have made bigger strides in recovery working with SBSN than I ever did with any other RD. SBSN is kind, compassionate, non-judgemental, and easy to relate to. I felt comfortable with SBSN starting from day 1. To quote my therapist, SBSN is a unicorn and you won't find anyone like them!

— Alexandria McCombs

When I started working with SBSN, I had been struggling with my eating disorder for over six years. I had worked with RDs and therapists before, but they solely focused on weight restoration and not the mental aspect of recovery, so I stayed stuck in my disorder while in a "recovered" body. SBSN's approach was unlike any other RD or eating disorder specialist I had worked with before in that she treats her clients as whole, multifaceted people and addresses so much more than just the food piece of recovery. They helped me to constantly challenge my eating disorder and tackle food fears while also teaching me about the importance of self care and self compassion in recovery and how I could incorporate these into my life. I truly feel that my work with SBSN not only helped me win my battle against my eating disorder but helped me to be a stronger, happier, healthier person in general now that I have those self care tools. It was so refreshing to work with someone with a holistic approach to eating disorders and body image issues and I cannot recommend working with her enough! Thank you so much SBSN for your support!

— Kacey

SBSN gave me peace and restoration in my mind, body, and life. I had deeply rooted issues surrounding food and my body, and I thought I would never recover from my concerns. I had my reservations about meeting a dietician on my first appointment, but the therapy is never diet-focused, and focused more on client-centered care and recovery. They tailor therapy sessions around your goals and comfort. They provide many resources for her clients to guide them through each phase of recovery. I will never forget SBSN, they were an essential factor in my recovery.

— Lauren

I am so thankful to this organization, they are helping me out so much in so many different areas. My dietitian is an outstanding registered dietitian to work with and Jamie has jumped hoops to make sure that I could get into this program and I am so humbled by their partnering care! I love the inviting and accepting feel of the staff and overall office feel, from when I walk in the doors through when I walk out after my appointment every time I come. I truly don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t have Side by Side guiding me through my healing journey. My eyes well with gratitude for this practice as I write this review! Thank you!!!

— Mary Sanders

Our team of Expert Dietitian Nutritionists Have Been Featured In:

 

Our Team of Dietitian Nutritionists, Expert ED and Medical Nutrition Counselors

 

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

As specialists in ED nutrition counseling our mission is rooted in compassion. We:  

  • 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.

 

We Accept Insurance:

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.

 
 

Dietitian for ED and Medical Nutrition Therapy FAQ

 

What are the unusual eating habits of autism?

Unusual eating habits in autism can include preferences for specific textures, colors, or brands of food. Some individuals may have aversions to certain textures or may be highly selective in their food choices. Rigid adherence to routines and resistance to trying new foods are also common.

What is food rumination in autism?

Food rumination in autism refers to repetitive regurgitation and re-chewing of food. This behavior is not exclusive to autism but may occur in individuals with sensory processing difficulties. It can be a form of self-soothing or a response to sensory issues related to food.

Why can it hard for people with autism to eat?

Individuals with autism may find eating challenging due to sensory sensitivities, aversions to certain textures or tastes, or a preference for routine. Sensory issues can make the experience of eating overwhelming, impacting an individual's ability to tolerate a variety of foods.

Does autism affect eating habits?

Yes, autism can significantly influence eating habits. Challenges with sensory processing, rigidity in routines, and aversions to specific foods are common. Individuals with autism may have unique preferences and difficulties that impact their overall relationship with food.

How to stop binge eating autism:

Addressing binge eating in autism may involve a multidisciplinary approach, including working with a dietitian and therapist. Strategies may include:

  • Identifying sensory triggers for binge eating.

  • Developing alternative coping mechanisms for emotional distress.

  • Establishing a predictable eating routine.

  • Introducing a variety of foods gradually to expand food preferences.

  • Collaborating with professionals experienced in autism and eating behaviors.

What insurance plans do you accept?

Side By Side Nutrition is in network with Cigna, Cigna Localplus, Aetna, BlueCross Blue Shield (Anthem/Regence), UMR, and United Healthcare. Prior to your visit, please call your insurance company to check your benefits. We can not guarantee coverage.

For other insurance companies, we are out-of-network providers. This means we can provide you a superbill to submit to insurance for possible reimbursement. SBS can not submit superbills without a medical diagnosis. Payment is due at time of service for folxs using out of network benefits.

How does treatment work? What does a typical session look like?

An outpatient team consists of a dietitian, therapist, and primary care physician at minimum. Sessions are highly individualized and change from week to week depending on the needs, goals, behaviors, and journey of each client. Our dietitians are constantly assessing the needs, progress, safety, and next steps with their client’s short and long term goals in mind. 

An outpatient team works collaboratively to ensure clients get the best care for their recovery while staying in their day to day life. Clients in eating disorder recovery being treated on the outpatient level will typically visit with their dietitians 1-2x/week, therapist 1-2x/week, PCP monthly, and psychiatrist as needed.

I don’t live in Colorado, can we still work together?

Absolutely! We are passionate about making care accessible for you and offer telehealth services and online nutrition therapy when appropriate. We will meet via a HIPAA-compliant video conference platform and communicate between sessions using email. 

We provide nutrition counseling to clients from around the county.

How do I get started?

You can schedule directly online here!

You can also contact us to help you schedule via our contact form here.

If you have any questions about working with us or scheduling, feel free to contact us via email or phone: contact@sidebysidenutrition.com or call us at 708-717-7394.