At Southwest Dietitian Group, we believe nutrition care should feel supportive, personalized, and sustainable ā not overwhelming, rigid, or one-size-fits-all.
We provide evidence-based medical nutrition therapy for people navigating a wide range of health concerns, with care that adapts as life changes.
Our role is not to tell you what to do.
Our role is to help you understand what makes sense for you ā and support you along the way.
Thoughtful nutrition care ā grounded in real life
Welcome to sdg!
At SDG, we take a collaborative, whole-person approach to care. That means we consider not just nutrition recommendations, but also real-life factors like stress, habits, capacity, medical history, and personal goals.
We focus on:
+ Sustainable change over quick fixes
+ Clarity over confusion
+ Guidance over pressure
+ Progress over perfection
Care is always guided, flexible, and grounded in clinical best practices.
Health is not linear. Progress isnāt either.
Our approach
Awards & Members Of
#1 nutritionist in phoenix 2026 by the phoenix review
55+ Five-Star Google Reviews
#1 wellness center in gilbert 2025 by business rate
#1 wellness center in gilbert 2026 by business rate
Southwest Dietitian Group LLC is a multi-state, insurance-based nutrition practice founded in 2021, providing evidence-based Medical Nutrition Therapy for individuals and families across Arizona and Oregon. Our team of registered dietitians specializes in weight management and obesity care, diabetes and metabolic health, gastrointestinal conditions, pediatric nutrition, hormone and gut health, and neurodivergent populations.
We believe nutrition care should be measurable, and accessible. Most of our services are covered by insurance, often at little to no out-of-pocket cost, making high-quality nutrition support available to more people in our communities.
At Southwest Dietitian Group, we go beyond meal plans. Our care model integrates metabolism, behavior change science, nervous system support, and personalized nutrition strategies to help patients create sustainable, long-term results. We work collaboratively with physicians and healthcare providers to improve clinical outcomes and reduce reliance on unnecessary medications whenever appropriate.
With offices in Gilbert, Arizona, Portland, Oregon, and expanding in Salem, Oregon, our mission is to elevate the standard of nutrition care ā making it outcome-driven, community-centered, and deeply human.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST DIETITIAN GROUP
our more formal bio...
Click on each to view bio
OUR TEAM
PROVIDERS
Southwest Dietitian Group is a collaborative healthcare practice made up of registered dietitians and licensed professionals who work together to support your care. Your primary nutrition care is provided by a Registered Dietitian (RD) ā a credentialed healthcare professional with a minimum of a masterās degree, extensive supervised clinical training, and successful completion of national board examinations. Registered Dietitians are not the same as ānutritionistsā; the RD credential reflects regulated education, clinical expertise, and accountability to evidence-based standards.
While youāll work closely with one primary dietitian, your care is supported by a team-based model. This includes an office manager who supports scheduling and insurance coordination, a billing team for insurance-related questions, and a naturopathic medical doctor who provides specialized hormone balancing, gut health, and low-dose GLP-1 weight loss care when appropriate. Our dietitians regularly collaborate through internal clinical rounds to ensure care is thoughtful, current, and well supported.
This collaborative approach allows us to offer depth, perspective, and consistency without losing personalization. You benefit from both a trusted primary provider and the collective expertise of the SDG team ā ensuring your care is grounded, coordinated, and never based on generic or unqualified advice.
Taylor
Val
Maya
Josie
Crystal
Dr. Reker
Amanda
SUPPORT STAFF
Elizabeth
Katlyn
Maya is the owner of the Southwest Dietitian Group and a 18-year registered dietitian, specializing in weight loss and hormone balancing, and a beacon of resilience and transformation. Raised in a Lebanese household where food symbolized love, she battled weight and health issues from an early age. Mayaās own journey took her from a stressful adolescence and retail management to undernourishment and the onset of unhealthy habits, before finding the right path through education and a relentless desire for change.
Her personal struggle with trauma and CPTSD deeply informs her practice. Maya has dedicated her life to mastering the science of neuroplasticity, habit change, and the powerful influence of mindset on health. Maya graduated from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri, with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2007. She completed her internship at St. Louis University.
She transformed herself by embracing her past and learning how to feel, thus finding her passion in helping others achieve sustainable weight loss and emotional balance. Maya's unique blend of formal education and lived experiences make her a compassionate and insightful guide for women on similar paths, emphasizing not just what to eat, but how to think and feel in the process.
owner & registered dietitian Nutritionist
Maya Nahra, RDN, LDN
Specialties
Weight Loss & Behavior Change
What Do You Like Most About Being A Dietitian?
The impact. I love the heart of humans. I love nurturting them and watching the best possible version of them emerge.
Snacks You Always Have In Your Kitchen
Olives, Dark Chocolate Bars, Cheese, & Popcorn (together and in that order š )
My Clients Would Describe Me As
Real. Relatable.
Work with Maya
Maya is not currently accepting new patients; however, as a patient of SDG, you will have the opportunity to receive higher-level behavioral support through classes, accountability pods, and so much more.
Valerie Turner
office manager
Hello, I am Valerie, but I mostly go by Val. Iām the office manager here at Southwest Dietitian Group. For the past 8 years, Iāve been a Client Relations Manager with a small financial firm. I look forward to providing excellent customer service to our clients here at SDG. My goal is to make this process as easy as possible for you. Iāve had quite a health journey myself and the right foods have been the best medicine for me. Iām happy to answer any questions you may have and help you with any scheduling needs so that in turn you can attain your health goals. When you are ready to move forward, Iāll be here to get you started!
Josie Showalter MS, RDN, LDN
registered & LICENSED dietitian Nutritionist
Josie is a registered dietitian with an educational background in Sports Nutrition and a passion for helping people of all backgrounds build a healthier, more joyful relationship with food and movement. Rooted in her own experiences with disordered eating, restriction, and exercise addiction, Josie understands firsthand how confusing and overwhelming it can feel to navigate health in a culture full of mixed messages. Her personal journey led her to unlearn harmful food and fitness rules and redefine what health and balance truly meanāand now she helps others do the same.
With experience working alongside Division I athletes at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Josie brings a strong foundation in performance nutrition, but her scope of practice extends beyond the world of sports. Whether youāre a competitive athlete, a recreational mover, or simply someone trying to feel better in your body, Josie is here to meet you where you are. Working with Josie means celebrating all foods and cultures with an approach that is inclusive, compassionate, and personalizedāfocused on helping clients find sustainable ways of nourishing themselves that support both mental and physical wellbeing.
Specialties
What Do You Like Most About Being A Dietitian?
Snacks You Always Have In Your Kitchen
Iām Especially Passionate About Working With
client ages
states I'm licensed to see patients
my patients would describe me as
Performance Nutrition & Exercise Science; Healing Your Relationship with Food, Blood Sugar Management
Helping people de-construct negative food thoughts & find sustainable, health-benefiting food freedom! I want people to find the joy in food that I do!
So many! ā¦. Favorites include pickles, cottage cheese, nuts, pears, Hippeas, Yasso bars
People who were previously athletes & need help taking control of their diet and exercise routine post-athletic career. OR those who are exercise-curiousā¦. You gotta find movement that brings you joy, and Iām here to help!
18+
Empathetic & An Open Book!
Arizona, Utah, California, Oregon, Washington, Michigan, Colorado, Virginia, Illinois
[Introduction from Maya]
Crystal is the owner of ICD Everything, a company that specializes in medical billing, coding, and auditing for medical health professionals' practices. Their entire mission is to alleviate the stress of billing so providers can focus on what matters most ā patient care.
And if Iām being honest with youā¦ insurance is hard.
medical billing specialist
Crystal Brooks
It is complicated, inconsistent, and often frustrating.
We continue to accept insurance because our goal is to keep as many of your visits as possible at $0 out-of-pocket ā or as low as possible. That has always been deeply important to me.
My only mistake? Not bringing Crystal on sooner.
Crystal has been fighting to get your claims paid in a way I simply couldnāt on my own. With her years of experience as a medical billing specialist, she has connections and systems that give us leverage with insurance companies that we did not have before.
If you have:
ā¢ Questions about a claim
ā¢ A statement that doesnāt make sense
ā¢ Concerns about insurance processing
ā¢ Payment or billing confusion
Please reach out to Crystal directly. She is here to help you.
CONTACT: Crystal Brooks
š Phone: 602-661-6631
š Fax: 480-907-1977
š§ cbrooks@icdeverything.com
Thank you for trusting us ā not just with your health, but with the complexity of navigating insurance. We are always working to improve your experience behind the scenes. -Maya (owner/dietitian)
Dr. Reker has always had a passion for her own health, and for the healthcare field in general. After 20 years of working in the chemical and environmental engineering field, she decided to switch career paths to become a licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor. She uses the principles of naturopathic medicine to help identify and treat the root cause of health conditions, to help restore innate health and wellness. She is focused on a holistic approach to improving health, quality of life, and longevity, while minimizing and eliminating pharmaceutical medications in favor of optimizing nutrition and adding specific nutrients, bioidentical hormones, and dietary changes, to help improve overall health, hormone balance, digestion, sleep, mood, chronic health issues, and autoimmune conditions.
Outside of the office, she is an avid mountain biker and outdoor enthusiast.
naturopathic medical doctor
Dr Mary Reker, NMD
EDUCATION
Naturopathic Medical Degree from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (now Sonoran University of Health Sciences/Naturopathic Medicine. Graduated in 2013.
Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering, Arizona State University. Graduated 1992
Undergraduate Degree in Chemical Engineering, University of Tennessee. Graduated 1988
Taylor Kennedy, MPH, RDN, LDN
registered dietitian Nutritionist
Iām Taylor, a registered dietitian who loves food and believes all foods can be a part of a healthy diet. My path to becoming a dietitian was a windy road where I worked in finance for a few years before deciding to make a drastic change and follow my passion for nutrition. I have a Masterās degree in Public Health with a focus in nutrition from Northern Arizona University. Here, I learned how to meet people where theyāre at and find unique ways to help people sustain a healthy lifestyle. Iāve had extensive training in motivational interviewing, which has prepared me for helping people make lifelong changes that have a significant impact on their health.
Iāve struggled with dieting and an unhealthy relationship with food in the past, but once I understood the role that nutrition has in our bodies, I was motivated to break the dieting cycle and make permanent changes. Iāve experienced how the wonders of healthy eating have influenced my own health, both physically and mentally, and I want to help others feel the same. If you choose to work with me, Iāll never ask you to give up your favorite foods or follow an extremely restrictive diet. We can work together to come up with a plan that works best for you and helps you feel good in your body.
Specialties
Functional Nutrition & Gut Health
client ages
18-85
states I'm licensed to see patients
Arizona, Oregon, California, Michigan, Colorado, & Virginia
What Do You Like Most About Being A Dietitian?
I love watching people heal themselves through food. Whether itās healing their relationship with food or physically feeling better, itās incredible to see the positive impact that food has on people.
Snacks You Always Have In Your Kitchen
roasted edamame, popcorn, pepitas, Aloha bars, Unreal peanut butter cups, Hu chocolate bars
Iām Especially Passionate About Working With
Anyone who wants to learn more about using food as medicine! I love helping people figure out how to incorporate more whole foods into their diet and talking about all of the wonderful things that food can do for our bodies.
my patients would describe me as
Someone who genuinely cares about their health and wellbeing.
Amanda Paltzer, MS, RDN
registered dietitian Nutritionist
Amanda is a registered dietitian with over 20 years of experience in public health nutrition, fitness, and health coaching. She has lived in two countriesāthe United States and Zambiaāand across five U.S. states, including Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Texas, and Arizona. These experiences have shaped her understanding of how environment and social context influence health, as well as the importance of balancing flexibility and discipline when making lasting change. Rooted in her faith and a belief in God-given value and worth, Amanda approaches nutrition with the conviction that every person has the capacity for healthāphysically, mentally, and spiritually. She is passionate about encouraging and equipping others to reach their full health potential.
Amandaās path to nutrition is deeply personal. As a teenager, she struggled with body image and self-worth, which led to restrictive behaviors around food and exercise. During her journey back to health, she worked with a dietitian who helped her feel truly seen and valued, and who taught her how to care for her body rather than harm it. Inspired by this experience, Amanda chose to pursue a career in nutrition to help others break free from disordered eating and distorted body image, and to cultivate value-driven, joy-filled relationships with food and their bodies.
Amanda earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota and her Master of Science in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She is also a certified health and wellness coach.
An active person by nature, Amanda enjoys movement in many forms. She is an avid, all-season runner on both pavement and trail and enjoys hiking, backpacking, HIIT, weight lifting, and dancing. Outside of her professional work, Amanda loves spending time with her husband and two children, cooking, traveling, singing and playing music, exploring nature, and celebrating the life she has been given.
Specialties
Lifestyle nutrition, intuitive eating, mindfulness, restoring healthy body image and food relationships
13+
client ages
states I'm licensed to see patients
my patients would describe me as
What Do You Like Most About Being A Dietitian?
Snacks You Always Have In Your Kitchen
Iām Especially Passionate About Working With
Arizona, California, Michigan, Colorado, & Virginia
Calm, encouraging, curious, supportive
I like partnering with people to move toward joy and dignity in their relationships with food and their bodies.
I always have plain and vanilla Greek yogurt, fruit, homemade granola and almonds.
I'm passionate about guiding people to find movement that is enjoyable and feels good, managing stress and practicing mindfulness, and prioritizing healthy practices as sustainable for life.
Elizabeth Zimbelman, MS, RDN, LDN
registered dietitian Nutritionist
Welcome! I am so happy you're here! My name is Elizabeth, I am a registered dietitian with a passion for food and how it can be a healthy part of your life. I believe in collaboration first and foremost, and working with you to find what is realistic, achievable, and something that works towards your health goals!
After earning my Master of Science degree and completing my internship at Oregon State University, my goal is to keep learning and growing as a dietitian so I can provide nutrition care that is up to date and personalized for you. This helps me support your unique health needs and guide you towards healthy changes that last!
All, including pediatrics
client ages
states I'm licensed to see patients
my patients would describe me as
What Do You Like Most About Being A Dietitian?
Snacks You Always Have In Your Kitchen
Iām Especially Passionate About Working With
Oregon, Illinois, Washington, Kansas, Arizona, California, Michigan, Colorado, & Virginia
Empathetic, supportive, and collaborative
Building lifelong connections and rapport with my patients and fellow professionals is incredibly important to me and one of the most rewarding aspects of this career path. There is always something new to learn too, which helps keep my mind sharp and adds to my professional fulfillment!
Fruit of any variety, or anything with peanut butter!
Pediatrics, Weight Management, Eating Disorders
Katlyn Wolf, MS, RDN, LDN
registered dietitian Nutritionist
Katlyn is a registered dietitian driven to help people simplify nutrition and feel more confident in how they fuel their bodies. She takes a realistic, whole-person approach to care ā focusing not just on what you eat, but how habits, culture, lifestyle, and mindset all work together. She works collaboratively with her clients to create personalized strategies that fit their real lives ā whether thatās navigating training demands, busy schedules, family life, or long-standing health concerns. Katlyn believes that lasting change comes from consistency, flexibility, and understanding your body ā not perfection.
Her approach is shaped by both professional training and personal experience. Katlyn holds a Masterās degree in Nutrition with a minor in Exercise Science. As a former college athlete, she experienced firsthand the pressures surrounding performance, body image, and nutrition. Her own journey ā including undernourishment and its impact on athletic performance and hormonal health ā allows her to bring a deeper level of empathy and understanding to her work, especially with women facing similar challenges.
Additionally, her struggle with infertility sparked a pursuit in fertility nutrition. She understands how painful and confusing that journey can feel, and is especially committed to supporting individuals and couples navigating similar challenges with compassion, evidence-based guidance, and realistic, supportive strategies.
Outside of work, Katlyn lives on a farm in Oregon with her husband, daughter, and their flock of animals. She enjoys spending time with her family, pursuing movement in all forms, experimenting in the kitchen, gardening, wine tasting, live music, connecting with friends and professional communities, and a good board game night. Fun facts: she once beat an NBA player in a game of knock-out and took second place in a cribbage tournament.
Specialties
Perinatal nutrition, Fertility nutrition, Womenās Health & PCOS, Perimenopause nutrition, Sports nutrition, Disordered eating concerns, Infant nutrition and food introduction, Childhood selective eating & feeding dynamics, Weight management and metabolic syndrome
1-5 yo, 13+
client ages
states I'm licensed to see patients
my patients would describe me as
What Do You Like Most About Being A Dietitian?
Snacks You Always Have In Your Kitchen
Iām Especially Passionate About Working With
Oregon, Arizona, California, Michigan, Colorado, & Virginia
Kind, compassionate, genuine, uplifting, positive, fun-loving, creative and curious
I love to see people light up when things click and theyāre hit with a wave of confidence and motivation. Weāll ride that wave of momentum together, turning those āahaā moments into sustainable, lasting change. I view those that I work with as my teammates- Iāll do everything I can to support you and set you up for success in the challenges that food and health can present. I'm here to celebrate all of your wins with you!
I also enjoy helping people recognize the meaningful role food can play in their lives, while keeping it in balance so that nutrition supports their well-being without becoming overwhelming or all-consuming.
Hazelnuts, pickles, peanut butter, cottage cheese, kimchi, bananas
pre/peri/post-natal, fertility support, lactation support, athletes (organized sport and recreational), kiddos
how to get in touch
We are licensed to see patients in the following states:
Arizona, Utah, California, Oregon, Washington, Michigan, Colorado, Virginia, Illinois, Kansas
telehealth
GILBERT, ARIZONA
428 S. Gilbert Rd., Ste 106-2
Gilbert, AZ 85296
office location
Office location
PORTLAND, OREGON
2175 NW Raleigh St., Ste 110 Portland, OR, 97210
Contact & Locations
Southwest Dietitian Group provides nutrition care through a combination of in-person clinics and secure telehealth, allowing us to support clients across the country.
For questions about getting started, scheduling, or insurance:
Phone/Text: (602) 218-5278
Fax: (844) 218-4691
Phone Hours: MondayāFriday, 8:00amā5:30pm AZ/MST (Closed daily from 1:00ā2:30pm)
Patient Hours: We see patients Monday through Saturday inclusive of evening hours.
For clinical questions, plan updates, or communication with your dietitian, please use the secure patient portal once established as a client.
You donāt need a perfect plan ā just take the next right step.
