Makena Whitaker, MS, RDN, LD

Body Positive Nutritionist,  Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Founder of Sol Nutrition & Wellness

Pronouns: she/her
In-network with most major insurance companies

369 NE Revere Ave. Suite #104
Bend, OR 97701

Telehealth Available

Phone: +1 (541) 497-3892

Fax: 877-836-5706

Schedule now:

Philosophy

People who take the food peace journey may seek support with disordered eating, emotional eating, and ending the diet mentality. Others may want help with a specific condition from a gentle, weight-inclusive approach such as IBS or type II diabetes. A weight-inclusive approach is a way of eating that does not include rigid meal plans or discipline. This eating method is made possible by understanding your unique genetic make-up, food preferences, and satisfaction factor, as well as the internal signals such as hunger and fullness that are present in your body. It is a self-discovery process led by you and the dietitian together.

SAs a Ruby Health & Wellness collective member, Makena is devoted to whole-person, client-centered care. She cultivates healthy bodies and minds while addressing problems at the root cause, using the latest evidence-based medicine. Her healing and nutrition approach emphasizes HAES®, body positivity, and weight diversity.

Unfortunately, there are many mixed messages about “healthy” and thousands of expensive diets/get healthy quick schemes. Work with a food and body image expert to find a sustainable and balanced approach so that you can finally be confident with your diet & lifestyle. Makena is currently practicing as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) at Sol Nutrition & Wellness. Schedule a free discovery call today.

Education & Background

Makena received her Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Food Science & a minor in Sociology from the University of Vermont in 2014. She continued her nutrition study at the graduate level and achieved a Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition at Oregon Health & Science University in 2017. She trained for 1200 hours at 3+ medical centers, federal and state nutrition programs and studied Anatomy and Physiology, Human Nutrient Metabolism, Therapeutic nutrition for disease prevention, and Motivational interviewing. Her passion for non-diet weight-inclusive nutrition began after gaining experience in the eating disorder practice area in Bend, Oregon.

Specializes in:

• Eating Disorders & Emotional Eating in Adults
• Body Image Concerns/Diet Mentality
• Type II Diabetes 
• Gestational Diabetes

Self Care

Self-care to Makena is slowing down, listening to her body and connecting with the Earth. She needs a lot of self care to keep that body going. Her self care acts include time connecting with body and breath, disengaging with devices and social media, planning and eating balanced meals and snacks, and speaking to herself with respect and gratitude. If she could choose a day of self care it would include a hike along the Upper Deschutes with her husband, relaxing in the sunshine with a sweet tea, and making dinner and playing cards with her family or friends.

Interests and Passions

As a healthcare provider it is very important to her that everyone has access to fresh, nutritious locally-grown food. It isn’t right for providers to recommend lifestyle changes such as eating a greater variety of produce when it isn’t accessible for them to do so. She is the co-founder and project manager of Grownology, a company of Around the Bend Farms that is bringing innovative urban farming technology and food education to strengthen the Central Oregon foodshed.