Testimonials
Achieve recovery. Heal your relationship with food and body.

Compassionate Thyroid and Hashimoto’s Dietitian Nutritionist in Colorado, Body Image and Nutrition Counseling for Lasting Healing

Take charge, build understanding, and address thyroid problems and Hashimoto’s confidence. At Side By Side Nutrition, our dietitians are dedicated to offering medical nutrition therapy and compassionate care designed to guide you through a journey of lasting healing. Our goal is to empower you to regain trust and freedom with food and your body, fostering a renewed sense of wellness and vitality. Together, we navigate the complexities of a thyroid condition, hypothyroidism, and Hashimoto’s promoting understanding and creating a personalized approach to support your health goals. Step into a life that embraces well-being, and let us be your partners on the path to empowerment and healing.

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Can a dietitian help with Thyroid Problems?

The thyroid is highly nutrient-dependent, and poor nutrition can interfere with how the thyroid functions, as well as with the medications many take to manage hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and Hashimoto’s. At Side By Side Nutrition, we provide personalized, one-on-one nutrition counseling specifically tailored for individuals facing Thyroid problems, including Hashimoto’s.  

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.

 

 

What is Thyroid / Hashimoto’s?

The terms "Thyroid" and "Hashimoto's" are related to thyroid disorders, specifically Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid gland.

Thyroid

  • The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, just below the Adam's apple. It plays a crucial role in regulating various metabolic processes in the body by producing thyroid hormones, primarily thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

  • These hormones influence the body's energy levels, metabolism, temperature regulation, and the function of various organs, like heart, muscle, digestive function, brain development, and bone maintenance.

  • If left untreated, thyroid issues can cause infertility and reproductive problems such as preeclampsia, pregnancy loss, and menstrual irregularities.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis:

  • Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. This autoimmune attack leads to inflammation and damage to the thyroid tissue.

  • Over time, the thyroid may become less able to produce sufficient thyroid hormones, leading to hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid).

  • Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States and many other parts of the world.

What are signs of issues with thyroid?

Symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, and thyroid problems can include fatigue, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, dry skin, hair loss, lank hair, heavy menstruation, and muscle aches. However, some may not exhibit noticeable symptoms at the onset of thyroid problems.

How do you diagnose thyroid disease?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis and other problems with the thyroid are often diagnosed through blood tests that measure levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Antibody tests, such as anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, are also commonly used to confirm the autoimmune nature of the condition.

Can thyroid problems be treated?

If you suspect you have problems with your thyroid, seek medical advice and undergo appropriate testing. Once diagnosed, a dietitian nutritionist can be a key part of your treatment team to help you improve your symptoms with nutrition support and medical nutrition therapy. Lifestyle management is key to managing symptoms and improving wellness. This includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management. Addressing underlying autoimmune factors and optimizing overall health can contribute to symptom management.

 

 
 

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.

 

Can you fix thyroid levels with diet?

Diet affects thyroid function and how the body interacts with medications, but there is no “thyroid diet” for hypothyroidism. (See information from the Mayo Clinic). Nutrition education is a cornerstone of our practice, helping clients better understand their bodies and how certain vitamins, nutrients, and foods can interact negatively with medications.

Our dedicated team of Hashimoto's thyroiditis dietitian nutritionists is committed to guiding clients toward a path of healing that transcends fear and shame. By addressing concerns related to dietary choices and fostering a positive relationship with food, we empower clients to become experts in managing their thyroid health. This shift in perspective towards love, respect, and acceptance aids clients in reaching lasting well-being.

Recognizing the uniqueness of each individual's journey, we facilitate self-discovery and empowerment. Hashimoto's thyroiditis management involves not only addressing the symptoms but also creating a life empowered by a positive relationship with nutrition and the body.

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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 permission, we collaborate to understand goals and aspirations for our partnership, prioritizing holistic healing by fostering a positive relationship with nutrition and the body. This involves breaking free from persistent thoughts and behaviors associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, allowing for a renewed sense of freedom and openness in life. Targeted interventions focus on addressing the root causes, striving to liberate individuals from the constraints of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and promoting self-acceptance.

 

Build Trust in the Body’s Natural Cues

Our approach is centered on breaking free from the constant thoughts and behaviors associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and subsequent potential disordered eating 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, allowing for a renewed sense of freedom and openness in life. Through targeted interventions, we address a thorough management of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the root causes of disordered eating, working towards liberating individuals from the constraints of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

 

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 the Hashimoto's thyroiditis management journey, unwavering support is offered, celebrating progress and standing by individuals as they navigate the complexities of their condition. Our mission is not only managing Hashimoto's thyroiditis symptoms but also cultivating a life that is rich, meaningful, and aligned with individual values. We believe in the significance of this health journey and the therapeutic relationship, and our dedicated dietitians are here to guide every step of the way.

 

TESTIMONIALS

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 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.


What is the DSM-5?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition), commonly referred to as the "DSM," serves as a comprehensive guide on mental health and conditions related to the brain. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is tasked with the creation, editing, review, and publication of this manual.

Patients may also hear the term ICD-10. This is the International Classification of Diseases (10th revision), a system used by doctors to classify and code all diagnoses, symptoms and procedures for claims processing. 


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 much do sessions cost?

Side By Side Nutrition session rates for private pay clients are:

  • $225 for the initial session and $170 for follow up sessions.

Insurance rates may vary from private pay rates depending on the insurance provider and your individual plan. We accept credit cards, debit cards, HSA, and FSA cards. 

We offer sliding scale spots open for those who qualify and are experiencing financial hardship.


Do you work with children and adolescents?

Dietitians at Side By Side Nutrition work with teens and adolescents ages around 9+ and up. With treating adolescents for an eating disorder, we typically use a modified family based treatment approach which involves treating the entire family. You can learn more about Family Based Treatment for eating disorders here.


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.


What states do you work in?

We have offices in Colorado and WA but we see clients all over the United States! We can see clients virtually in Nevada, Kentucky, Minnesota, New York, Arizona, Wisconsin, Kansas, Missouri, Alabama, Illinois, Connecticut, California, Florida, Washington DC, Maryland, Oregon, Texas, New Hampshire, Utah, Virginia, Wyoming, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

We are moving more virtual because our goal is to make nutrition counseling as accessible, affordable, and stress-free as possible. Appointments with your dietitian are rooted in conversation. We have found that exchanging information during nutrition counseling sessions is far more effective and less stressful when you aren’t rushing to get to our office or worried about getting stuck in traffic. Want to talk to your dietitian in your pjs? Feel free! We use HIPAA-compliant Zoom for all of our appointments so you can easily and comfortably connect from home, work or wherever you are, on any device you choose.


Do you have a cancellation policy?

Because many patients wait several weeks for an appointment and to protect our providers time, we must strictly adhere to a 48 hour cancellation/late change policy. This policy states that you must cancel your appointment at least 48 hours ahead if you need to make any changes to your appointment. Failing to respect this policy will incur the full session fee. We appreciate your understanding as all clients who wish to be seen sooner benefit from this policy. 


Why do you keep a credit card on file?

The main reason we do this is to encourage our clients to communicate promptly with us about changing or canceling an appointment (see “Do you have a cancellation policy?” above).  


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 toward 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.