Embark on a transformative journey from Other Specified Feeding Or Eating Disorder (OSFED) 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 Other Specified Feeding Or 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.
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.
According to the DSM-5, Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders are conditions that closely resemble commonly recognized eating disorders but do not fully meet the diagnostic criteria. Disorders falling under the OSFED category may exhibit certain symptoms and behaviors similar to those seen in Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, or Binge Eating Disorder.
OSFED encompasses abnormal thoughts and behaviors concerning food, eating, and body image. This cluster of eating disorders may affect up to six percent (6%) of the population, resulting in significant distress or disruption of daily life.
What are examples of OSFED?
Individuals diagnosed with OSFED often exhibit variations in symptoms and behaviors observed in other eating disorders, such as Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa. The DSM-5 lists the five following five subtypes of OSFED, representing its most common forms:
Atypical Anorexia Nervosa: If you or someone you know is dealing with Atypical Anorexia Nervosa, you likely experience all the symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa but maintain a weight within or above the range identified as “normal” in the DSM for Anorexia. Signs of “Atypical Anorexia Nervosa” include denying hunger, fixating on weight, food, and body image, engaging in extreme food rituals, and fearing weight gain. Atypical Anorexia is not “Atypical” at all and is more common than anorexia and can be just as or more severe than anorexia nervosa. Because people with atypical anorexia are not extremely thin, they often go undiagnosed.
Bulimia Nervosa (OF LOW FREQUENCY AND/OR LIMITED DURATION): If you or a loved one is struggling with this OSFED subtype of Bulimia Nervosa, you likely meet all the criteria for Bulimia Nervosa except that binge eating and purging behaviors occur less frequently or for a duration of fewer than three months. Signs of Bulimia Nervosa may involve bingeing and purging, a sense of lack of control over eating, or engaging in excessive and compulsive exercise routines.
Binge Eating Disorder (OF LOW FREQUENCY AND/OR LIMITED DURATION): If you or a loved one has OSFED subtype of Binge Eating Disorder, you will likely display all the symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder except that binge eating occurs less frequently, averaging less than once a week, and/or for a duration of fewer than three months. Signs of Binge Eating Disorder can include consuming large quantities of food, feeling a lack of control over eating, and eating until uncomfortably or painfully full.
Purging Disorder: Purging Disorder is characterized by recurrent purging behaviors aimed at influencing weight or shape without binge eating episodes. Purging behaviors may include self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or other medications, and excessive exercise. Signs of Purging Disorder include recurring episodes of purging behaviors to lose weight, fear of weight gain or obsession with weight loss, and distorted or distressing body image.
Night Eating Syndrome: Night Eating Syndrome involves recurrent episodes of eating during the night, either upon waking from sleep or excessive food consumption after the evening meal. If you are struggling with Night Eating Syndrome, feelings of shame and guilt may be common, leading to significant distress and/or functional impairment. Healthcare professionals don’t know what causes Night Eating Syndrome. They believe it is a combination of many factors that can include circadian rhythm disorders, genetics, mental health problems, and other eating disorders and/or substance abuse problems. Signs of Night Eating Syndrome include a strong urge to eat between dinner and bedtime, difficulty sleeping or staying asleep, and waking up to eat throughout the night.
Eating disorders can impact anyone, regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, and cultural background. Nonetheless, certain groups may face a higher risk of developing Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED) due to specific factors or vulnerabilities.
Adolescents and Young Adults: OSFED often emerges during adolescence and young adulthood, as the pressures surrounding body image, societal expectations, and academic demands increase the risk factor.
Athletes: Those engaged in competitive sports or activities emphasizing body weight and shape, such as gymnastics or wrestling, may be at heightened risk for OSFED due to the pursuit of athletic excellence and pressure to maintain specific weight ranges and physical characteristics.
LGBTQ+ Community: Members of the LGBTQ+ community encounter unique challenges related to body image and societal norms, leading to increased vulnerability to OSFED due to discrimination, stigma, and identity-related stressors.
History of Trauma: Those with a history of trauma, such as abuse, may develop OSFED as a coping mechanism, a way to regain control over their bodies.
Co-occurring Mental Health Conditions: OSFED often coexists with conditions like depression or anxiety, heightening the risk for disordered eating patterns in affected individuals.
Genetic Predisposition: Evidence suggests a genetic component in eating disorder development. People having a family history of eating disorders are more at risk of developing OSFED.
Perfectionists: Those with perfectionistic tendencies, characterized by an intense pursuit of flawlessness and setting excessively high standards, may face an increased risk of OSFED.
Understanding the susceptibility of these populations requires sensitivity and the need to acknowledge the uniqueness of each one’s experience. Early detection, intervention, and a multidisciplinary approach involving medical, nutritional, and psychological support are vital for addressing and treating OSFED across all populations.
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 dedicated team of eating disorder dietitian nutritionists is committed to guiding clients toward a path of healing that transcends fear and shame. By addressing food fears and dismantling negative body image, we empower clients to become the experts of their body and to shift their perspective towards love, respect, and acceptance. This helps clients reach lasting recovery. Together, we work to eliminate food and body shame, identify triggers leading to self-doubt, and foster a trusting relationship with food and body, allowing space for genuine values to emerge.
Recognizing that the answers lie within each individual, our multi-disciplinary team of medical nutrition specialists facilitates a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. OSFED recovery is not just about overcoming an eating disorder; it's about creating a full and empowered life through food and body image healing.
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.
TESTIMONIALS
Our team of Expert Dietitian Nutritionists Have Been Featured In:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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