Do you have a love/hate relationship with food? Caught between diets? No idea what you should eat? Makena supports her clients in finding peace with food and empowering them to take control of their health through self-care.
Makena creates the space for people to explore their most desired values and goals, find peace with food, and take back their whole, healthy selves.
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
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
Makena is an educator
“Makena is truly an amazing nutritionist. I had been struggling with weight, food choices, and my overall health and Makena was able to educate me on quite literally everything. She is kind, supportive, and also adds a little humor into her profession, which I absolutely love. I recommend her to anyone who needs support in this area of their life.” – TH
Body Kindness
“Makena is a great listener. She’s kind, supportive and gently guides you through the process of learning about body kindness, health-at-every-size, mindful/intuitive eating and a new way to see food and its relationship to your body and your self-care” – CR
Accepting and Supportive
“Makena Whitaker has been extremely supportive and has allowed me to explore and wonder without judgement or biases. She has given me a ton of resources and information that is specific for my needs. She never tries to make me fit into a box that others fit in and was very open to the idea that I may function and need different things. She helped me be proud of myself for more than my body type but also allowed me to see the possibility of accepting my body type no matter what shape or size.” – AN
Great with Chronic Health Conditions
“Makena is very knowledgeable about managing PCOS and other chronic health conditions without dieting. She is also a great support for anyone in recovery from disordered eating, a wonderful listener, and she helped me redefine my relationship with food and movement with her thoughtful homework assignments. If you’re ready to change your relationship with food, Makena will help you get there!” – LR
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.
Ready to Begin?
Make an Appointment
and start your journey with Makena!
Makena Whitaker, MS, RDN, LD
Nutritionist
Phone: +1 (541) 497-3892
Fax: 877-836-5706
- Cigna
- First Choice
- MODA
- OHP/Care Oregon
- Pacific Source Commercial
- Providence
- Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- Self-pay is $175 for both an initial appointment or for a follow-up
- Sliding Scale or Scholarship: Scholarships are offered to one person at a time and the need is re-evaluated each quarter. Sliding scale is not available.
Please be aware that being in-network is not the same as having coverage for nutrition. Please go to our insurance page for more information.