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Achieve recovery. Heal your relationship with food and body.

Compassionate Eating Disorders Treatment for Gymnasts, Dietitian Nutritionists in Colorado provide Medical Nutrition Therapy and Counseling for Athletes

Embark on a transformative experience with our customized program that specifically focuses on the connection between eating disorders and gymnasts. Our specialized approach is carefully crafted to support your well-being and athletic goals, promoting overall health and nurturing a positive, respectful connection with food and body. We support gymnasts who are struggling with anorexia, bulimia, OSFED, and disordered eating.

Within our outpatient eating disorder and sports nutrition program, our dedicated team of medical nutrition therapists focuses on optimizing your performance and overall health without compromising body image or falling into the traps of disordered eating that can often affect athletes.

Reach full recovery and potential in gymnastics with experts who empower you to prioritize recovery while maximizing your athletic potential. We aim to help you embrace a balanced, nourished relationship with food, body, and sport that ensures sustained vitality, enabling you to excel in your sport while maintaining a healthy mind and body.

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What is the correlation between gymnastics and eating disorders?

The NCAA indicates that gymnasts have significantly higher rates of disordered eating compared to other athletes, ranging from 51 to 62 percent. Additionally, the average age for gymnasts to begin menstruation is 15.5 years. A female who has not menstruated by age 16 is diagnosed with primary amenorrhea.

This is often overlooked, or ignored. As dietitians who work with athletes and coaches, awareness is key to early detection, diagnosis, and recovery.

What is the goal of medical nutrition therapy for gymnasts experiencing an eating disorder?

At Side By Side Nutrition, our certified dietitians specializing in medical nutrition therapy offer tailored nutrition counseling for individuals who are both gymnasts and navigating an eating disorder.

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.

With locations in Colorado Springs and Fort Collins, Colorado, as well as Woodinville, Washington, we offer both in-person and online nutrition counseling services to clients nationwide.

 
 

What is the treatment for gymnasts with an eating disorder?

For gymnasts dealing with anorexia, bulimia, OSFED, and disordered eating, our treatment approach is carefully crafted to enhance overall health, optimize performance, and aid in recovery. We develop specialized nutritional strategies that cater to the unique dietary needs of gymnasts, considering the rigorous nature and specific demands of their sport.

What does medical nutrition therapy include for gymnasts who are overcoming an eating disorder?

A dietitian nutritionist on our team will:

  • Identify any signs of disordered eating behaviors or malnutrition.

  • Collaborate with the gymnast to set realistic and achievable nutrition and health goals which includes considering the intensity and duration of training sessions and taking into account the intricacies of gymnastic routines.

  • Provide education on the importance of balanced nutrition for performance and overall health and discuss the impact of disordered eating on athletic performance and long-term well-being.

  • Help each gymnast reach their individual health objectives.

  • Develop a personalized meal plan that meets the gymnast's energy and nutrient needs, and ensure the plan includes a variety of foods to promote a balanced diet.

  • Implement strategies to change disordered eating behaviors, and teach mindful eating practices and how to listen to hunger and fullness cues.

  • Ensure coordinated care, working with the gymnast’s medical team, coach, and other healthcare professionals.


    Our primary goals encompass ensuring adequate fueling to meet energy demands, supporting efficient recovery, preventing nutrient deficiencies, and addressing any challenges or conditions that may affect the athlete's well-being and performance.

Our comprehensive approach and outpatient treatment plan aim to empower gymnasts to achieve and sustain peak physical fitness while prioritizing their long-term health and well-being. By minimizing the risk of injuries and addressing any nutritional imbalances, we strive to support athletes in realizing their full potential both on and off the mat.

 
 
 

We want to work with you.

 

What do dietitians do for eating disorder treatment?

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.

Dietitians play a crucial role in eating disorder treatment by providing specialized nutritional guidance and support. They assess the individual's dietary needs, develop personalized meal plans, educate on balanced eating habits, monitor progress, and collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure a comprehensive approach to recovery. Additionally, they help address any challenges or barriers related to food and eating behaviors, aiming to restore a healthy relationship with food and support overall well-being.

 

For individuals specifically dealing with an eating disorder as a gymnast, a dietitian specializing in this field plays a crucial role in providing support and guidance. The primary responsibilities include:

  • Personalized Counseling: Customize counseling for individuals with Anorexia Athletica, considering the unique challenges of both eating disorders and athletics.

  • Assessment and Customization: Evaluating dietary habits, nutritional status, and overall health to develop individualized nutrition plans.

  • Sport-Specific Adjustments: Adapting nutrition strategies to meet the specific demands of different sports and athletic activities.

  • Energy Balance Maintenance: Assisting individuals in achieving a balance between energy intake and expenditure for both daily activities and athletic performance.

  • Preventing Deficiencies: Advocating for a diverse diet rich in essential nutrients to prevent common deficiencies associated with Anorexia Athletica.

  • Emotional Support: Providing compassionate support and implementing behavioral interventions to address disordered eating patterns and promote a positive relationship with food and body image.

  • Long-Term Health and Recovery Promotion: Working towards sustained health, injury prevention, and addressing nutritional imbalances to support the journey towards long-term recovery.

Overall, the role of a dietitian in treating an eating disorder in gymnasts is comprehensive, involving a combination of nutritional expertise, personalized counseling, and support to address both the physical and emotional aspects of the condition.

What does nutrition therapy include?

 

A Comprehensive Initial Assessment

Our holistic approach begins with a comprehensive initial assessment, where we delve into your unique needs, exploring your past and present relationship with food, body image, and health history. With your permission, we work collaboratively to understand your goals and aspirations for our partnership. In our specialized work with sports nutrition from a weight inclusive and holistic lens, we prioritize the holistic healing of the individual by fostering a positive relationship with food and body.

 

Build Trust in the Body’s Natural Cues

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.

 

Go Beyond Symptom Management - Shift Body Image Perception

Our focus extends beyond mere symptom management; we strive to instill a profound shift in body image perception, promoting self-acceptance and a genuine appreciation for one's unique identity. By dismantling the mental and emotional barriers imposed by the eating disorder, we empower our clients to embrace a life unburdened by constant thoughts, fostering a newfound sense of joy, purpose, and possibility. Follow-up sessions form the core of our work together. We thoroughly examine your relationship with food and body, addressing challenges and co-creating individualized tools. We delve into body image exploration, dismantling external influences of food and body shame, and establish supportive structures as needed. Our goal is to help you increase variety and flexibility with eating, learning to respond to your body's hunger and satiety cues, and developing a joyful relationship with food and body.

 

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. 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.

 

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 sport has the highest rate of eating disorders?

Research suggests that sports emphasizing weight control, such as gymnastics, figure skating, and wrestling, may have higher rates of eating disorders. However, the prevalence can vary based on factors such as individual susceptibility, sport culture, and societal pressures.

What percentage of gymnasts have eating disorders?

The exact percentage of gymnasts with eating disorders varies depending on various factors such as age, gender, competitive level, and individual circumstances. While specific statistics may not be readily available, studies indicate that gymnasts, like athletes in other weight-sensitive sports, may be at higher risk for developing eating disorders due to the sport's emphasis on body weight and shape.

Why do gymnasts have eating disorders?

Gymnasts may develop eating disorders due to various factors, including pressure to maintain a certain body weight or shape for performance, aesthetic ideals within the sport, intense training schedules, and external societal pressures regarding body image. Additionally, individual susceptibility, genetic predisposition, and psychological factors can contribute to the development of eating disorders in gymnasts.

Does gymnastics cause eating disorders?

Gymnastics itself does not directly cause eating disorders. However, the sport's focus on body weight, shape, and aesthetic ideals, combined with intense training regimens and societal pressures, can contribute to the development of eating disorders in susceptible individuals. It's important to recognize that eating disorders are complex conditions influenced by a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors.

What sports have the most incidents of anorexia athletica?

Anorexia Athletica, also known as "sports anorexia" or "compulsive exercising," may be more prevalent in sports that prioritize thinness or weight control, such as gymnastics, figure skating, dance, and endurance sports like running or cross-country skiing. However, the prevalence can vary based on individual factors and sport culture.

Why do people with eating disorders exercise so much?

People with eating disorders may engage in excessive exercise as a way to compensate for food intake, burn calories, or control body weight and shape. Exercise may become compulsive or driven by a desire to achieve unrealistic fitness or weight loss goals, contributing to the maintenance or exacerbation of disordered eating behaviors. Additionally, exercise can serve as a coping mechanism for managing emotions, stress, or negative body image perceptions in individuals with eating disorders.

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?

Sessions are highly individualized and change from week to week. Our dietitians are constantly assessing the needs, progress, safety, and next steps with their client’s end goals in mind. 

We work at an outpatient level of care for the treatment of eating disorders. An outpatient team consists of a dietitian, therapist, primary care physician and psychiatrist at minimum.

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.