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Achieve recovery. Heal your relationship with food and body.

Compassionate OCD & Eating Disorders Dietitian Nutritionist in Colorado:

Body Image Counseling for Lasting Wellbeing

Embark on a journey to a self-compassionate, trusting, empowering relationship with food and body and holistic well-being. Our certified OCD & Eating Disorders dietitians provide online and in-person medical nutrition therapy and compassionate care to guide you toward lasting well-being. We work to help empower you to reclaim food and body trust and freedom,  embracing life with a renewed sense of wellness and vitality.

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OCD and Eating Disorders Treatment:

At Side By Side Nutrition, our certified dietitians provide medical nutrition therapy and personalized, one-on-one nutrition counseling specifically tailored for individuals facing struggles with both OCD and anorexia, bulimia, ARFID, OSFED, picky eating, binge eating disorder, orthorexia, and disordered eating.

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.

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.

 
 

Eating Disorders and OCD:

The intersection of OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) and an eating disorder can present a complex set of challenges that significantly impact someone’s relationship with food, nutrition, body image, and the recovery process. Here are some key challenges:

  • Obsessive Thoughts and Rituals: People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) frequently encounter intrusive thoughts that are irrational or distressing. When these thoughts pertain to food, body image, or eating habits, they may worsen or trigger the onset of an eating disorder. This could lead to adopting rigid dietary restrictions or compulsive exercising, which can complicate someone’s relationship with food, exercise, and body.

  • Perfectionism: Perfectionism is commonly linked to both Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and eating disorders. When OCD symptoms manifest, the drive for perfection regarding body weight, shape, or eating habits, disordered eating can become even more pronounced. This pursuit of perfectionism might impede progress toward recovery by establishing unattainable and inflexible expectations.

  • Compulsions Related to Eating: Compulsions associated with OCD might involve rituals or behaviors related to eating. Examples include excessively detailed meal preparation, a focus on cleanliness concerning food, or specific routines regarding meal times. Such compulsive actions may disrupt the capacity for flexible and natural eating habits.

  • Fear of Contamination: Some living with OCD may encounter fears related to contamination. When these fears intersect with an eating disorder, they may appear as avoidance of specific foods, concern about cross-contamination, or reluctance to participate in social eating occasions. These anxieties might restrict dietary options and lead to nutritional gaps.

  • Rumination and Overthinking: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) frequently involves something called rumination, or excessive contemplation. This may extend to thoughts regarding food, body image, and eating habits. They may obsessively analyze and scrutinize their food choices or body, which can impede the development of a flexible and adaptable approach to nutrition.

  • Impact on Social Functioning: Both Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and eating disorders have the potential to influence social interactions. Situations involving food might cause anxiety, resulting in social withdrawal. The intersection of these disorders can exacerbate these difficulties, stopping people from participating in social gatherings revolving around meals. It’s incredibly limiting around the holidays, celebrations, and more.

  • Co-occurring Anxiety and Depression: People grappling with both OCD and eating disorders might encounter concurrent anxiety and depression, which can complicate the journey toward recovery. These mental health issues can create obstacles and challenges to developing a healthy connection with food and body image.

  • Dual Diagnosis Stigma: Limited awareness or comprehension regarding the overlap between OCD and eating disorders might result in stigma or challenges in accessing suitable support. Consequently, this could impede someone’s ability to obtain specialized care. This leads to greater feelings of isolation.

Overcoming these obstacles demands a holistic treatment strategy that combines evidence-backed approaches for both OCD and eating disorders. Collaboration among mental health experts, dietitians, and healthcare professionals is vital to deliver personalized and comprehensive assistance to those navigating the intricate intersection of OCD and anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, OSFED, orthorexia, picky eating, and more.

Is Body Dysmorphia a Form of OCD?

Body dysmorphia, or Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), and OCD share common traits, including intrusive, repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that aim to reduce distress. In OCD, these thoughts may focus on contamination or harm, while in BDD, they center on appearance. A person with BDD might obsess over a perceived physical flaw and engage in compulsive behaviors like mirror-checking, seeking reassurance, or pursuing unnecessary cosmetic procedures. Both disorders fall under the "Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders" category in the DSM-5, highlighting their close relationship.

 
 
 

Despite seeming insurmountable now, it's crucial to recognize that complete recovery is achievable. Our team of specialized experts is uniquely equipped to work with you and the treatment team to guide you towards full recovery.

 

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.

 

What does a dietitian do for someone with both Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and an eating disorder?

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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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:

 

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 is body dysmorphia?

Body dysmorphic disorder, also known as BDD, is a mental health condition characterized by excessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in one's appearance. This condition can affect individuals of any gender identity, including male, female, transgender, or non-binary. While it often emerges during adolescence, BDD can persist into adulthood and can affect individuals at any stage of life.

What is Health at Every Size?

Health at Every Size™ is a compassionate care framework that recognizes and promotes body diversity and holistic health. We recognize a focus on intentional weight loss causes harm, does not improve health, and further invokes weight stigma and discrimination. We believe any person in any size body can pursue health and create positive behavior change that prioritizes their individual health desires.

What is intuitive eating?

Intuitive Eating is an approach to eating that incorporates building body trust, intuitive responses, emotional awareness, and listening to your body. It encourages self-compassion, curiosity, trust, and a gentle attitude towards food in order to cultivate and maintain a sustainable, healthy, and trusting relationship with food and body image.

What is the difference between a nutritionist and a Registered Dietitian?

In summary, 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.