Nutritionist for Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)
Compassionate, evidence-based nutrition therapy for recovery and healing
Understanding OSFED
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) includes eating disorder presentations that don’t meet full criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder but still cause significant physical, emotional, and psychological distress. OSFED is often misunderstood or minimized—many individuals are told they’re “not sick enough” to warrant treatment because their weight may appear normal or because their symptoms don’t fit a textbook definition.
The truth is that OSFED is just as serious and medically risky as other eating disorders. Whether you experience a mix of restrictive eating, purging without bingeing, occasional binge episodes, or significant distress around food and body image, your struggle is valid, and full recovery is possible with proper support.
Signs & Symptoms
Atypical anorexia: significant weight loss and restriction but weight remains in a normal or higher range
Purging disorder: purging behaviors (vomiting, laxatives, diuretics) without binge eating
Subthreshold binge eating or bulimia (less frequent episodes than diagnostic criteria)
Night eating syndrome: excessive eating during nighttime hours
Intense preoccupation with food, weight, and body shape
Extreme rigidity or perfectionism around eating habits
Emotional distress, shame, or guilt related to eating behaviors
The Physical Impact
OSFED can have profound physical consequences, even if not always immediately visible:
Physical Complications:
Malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies
Menstrual irregularities or amenorrhea
Low energy availability affecting heart, bones, and hormones
Electrolyte imbalances (especially in purging presentations)
GI issues: constipation, reflux, bloating, delayed gastric emptying
Fatigue, dizziness, or fainting episodes
Anxiety, depression, or obsessive thinking related to food
How I Support Your Recovery as Your Registered Dietitian
My Approach
As a registered dietitian specializing in eating disorder recovery, I provide comprehensive nutrition therapy that goes far beyond meal planning. My approach is:
Individualized: Every nutrition roadmap is tailored to your unique needs, medical status, and recovery goals
Collaborative: I work closely with your medical doctor, therapist, and psychiatrist as part of your integrated care team
Evidence-Based: Treatment follows established protocols while honoring your personal recovery journey
Compassionate: Creating a safe, non-judgmental space for healing and growth
What We Work On Together
Nutritional Stabilization
Consistent, Adequate Intake: Creating individualized meal structures to ensure stable energy intake and prevent further restriction or compensatory behaviors
Medical Support: Monitoring nutritional labs, electrolytes, growth curves, and vital signs to support full physical recovery
Symptom Interruption: Identifying behavioral cycles (restriction, purging, night eating, etc.) and implementing interventions to stabilize eating patterns
Weight-Neutral Focus: Prioritizing your health and recovery regardless of weight status
Food Relationship Healing
Reframing Food Rules: Challenging rigid beliefs and perfectionism around “good” and “bad” foods
All Foods Fit Approach: Allowing formerly restricted foods back into your eating in a controlled, safe way to reduce emotional charge
Intuitive Eating Foundations: Helping you reconnect with hunger, fullness, and satisfaction cues over time
Body Image Work: Supporting body neutrality and trust, regardless of weight or size
Shame Reduction and Empowerment
Validation: Affirming that OSFED is real, serious, and deserving of full care — regardless of external appearance
Psychoeducation: Teaching how restriction, purging, or binge behaviors affect your brain, hormones, and mood
Emotional Coping: Developing alternative strategies for managing anxiety, perfectionism, or emotional distress without relying on disordered behaviors
Long-Term Skill Building: Equipping you with lifelong tools for relapse prevention and self-monitoring
What you can expect
OSFED recovery is highly individualized and may involve addressing multiple behaviors simultaneously. Clients often feel empowered as they recognize that healing is fully possible — even when their presentation hasn’t fit neatly into a diagnostic box.
Weeks 1-4:
Clarifying specific disordered behaviors and developing a customized care plan
Normalizing consistent eating patterns to reduce physiological triggers
Beginning to challenge food rules and black-and-white thinking
Months 2-6:
Significant reduction in disordered behaviors (purging, bingeing, restricting)
Improved emotional regulation as consistent nourishment stabilizes mood
Growing comfort with a wider variety of foods and more flexible eating
Improved physical health markers and reduced GI distress
Long-term Recovery:
Peaceful, balanced eating across a wide variety of foods
Confidence in your ability to nourish yourself consistently
Reduced anxiety around food and body
Increased self-compassion and resilience in handling triggers
Take the Next Step
Recovery from OSFED is possible, and you don't have to do it alone. If you're ready to begin or continue your journey , I'm here to help.
Natalie is a registered dietitian with a background in psychology and a deep commitment to supporting individuals through eating disorder recovery. She holds an honors degree in Psychology from UC Berkeley and a Master’s in Clinical Dietetics from NYU, with training in eating disorder care. Her approach is rooted in intuitive eating and weight inclusive care, blending clinical expertise with warmth and compassion. Natalie believes in helping clients build a peaceful relationship with food and body while supporting lasting, meaningful recovery.