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Stephanie McKercher, MS, RDN - Grateful Grazer

Hi, I’m Stephanie, a registered dietitian and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. I share nourishing recipes and gentle, non-diet nutrition tips to help you explore a more peaceful, satisfying relationship with food. On my blog, Grateful Grazer, you’ll find support for eating with more trust, curiosity, and self-compassion.

Stephanie McKercher, dietitian and intuitive eating counselor.
Featured Post

You keep gaining the weight back. What's next?

Hi Reader, You know the pattern by now. You're careful all day. You eat well, stay on track, and feel like you finally have it together. Then evening comes and something shifts. You eat past fullness, sometimes to the point of feeling uncomfortable or sick. And the next morning, you're back to the rules, back to trying to be "good" with food again. Or maybe it looks different for you. A new way of eating, a "reset," cutting back on certain foods. It works for a little while. Then it doesn't....

Irish stew with lentils and mushrooms.

Hi Reader, March is that in-between month where you still want something warm on the stove but you can feel the season starting to shift. These five recipes feel exactly right for right now, a few with an Irish-inspired twist if you're planning something for St. Patrick's Day. Here's what's on the list: Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie with Beans and Tempeh: savory tempeh and white bean filling under creamy mashed Yukon golds. Makes excellent leftovers. Vegetarian Irish Stout Stew with Lentils and...

Baked pasta with vegetables and rigatoni.

Hi Reader, There's a specific kind of satisfaction that comes from pulling a bubbling, golden-topped casserole out of the oven on a cold night. This Baked Pasta with Rigatoni and Vegetables has become one of those recipes I reach for on repeat. Rigatoni tossed with sautéed zucchini, bell pepper, mushrooms, and spinach, layered with mozzarella, baked until golden and melty. There's also an optional Parmesan-breadcrumb topping that is, honestly, not that optional once you've tried it. It works...

Stephanie McKercher, dietitian and intuitive eating counselor.

Hi Reader, Here's something I hear a lot from people who work with me: "I know so much about nutrition. I try so hard to eat well, but I can't stop thinking about food. Why does it take up this much mental space?" If that sounds familiar, I want to offer you something most nutrition content gets completely wrong about this experience. Constantly thinking about food (what you ate, what you're allowed to eat next, whether you're doing it right, what you'll do if you slip) is almost never a...

Collage of easy vegetarian dinner recipes, including meatloaf, peanut noodles, tofu wraps, and bean chili.

Hi Reader, Last week, we talked about how to build a vegetarian meal that actually keeps you full. This week, I want to make it even easier. I just updated my Vegetarian Dinner Roundup, and now it includes 60 balanced, satisfying, plant-forward meals you can browse in one place. Inside you'll find: Quick <30-minute weeknight dinners Cozy soups, stews, and curries High-protein options (with grams listed) Meal-prep friendly dishes Grain bowls, salads, wraps, and comfort food classics Whether...

Stephanie McKercher, dietitian and intuitive eating counselor.

Hi Reader, “Why am I still hungry? I just ate!” If you’ve ever had this thought after a vegetarian meal, your body isn’t broken. This is one of the most common concerns I hear from people who are new to plant-based or vegetarian eating (or who are trying to eat more vegetables). You eat what looks like a balanced, “healthy” meal…and an hour later your stomach is growling, your energy dips, and cravings show up fast. As a plant-forward dietitian and intuitive eating counselor, I put together 7...

Bacon avocado croissant sandwich

Hi Reader, This sandwich is inspired by one of my favorite local coffee shop orders. A warm, flaky croissant layered with crispy bacon, melted Swiss cheese, mashed avocado, juicy tomato, and garlic aioli. It's rich, savory, and hits that perfect balance of crispy, creamy, fresh, and satisfying. And yes, I make it with real bacon. There was a time when that would have felt like breaking a rule. For years, I held onto the idea that if I cared about eating vegetarian, I needed to do it...

Salmon tacos with yogurt slaw

Hi Reader, When people ask me for “healthy” dinners, what they usually mean is food that tastes good and actually makes them feel satisfied.You're not looking for vegetables pretending to be pasta, boring salads without dressing, or dinners that leave you hungry an hour later. Nourishing meals can be flavorful, satisfying, and grounding. They can include carbs, fats, protein, seasoning, and enjoyment. The kind of dinners that leave you satisfied and steady, not restricted. If that sounds like...

Stephanie McKercher, dietitian and intuitive eating counselor.

Hi Reader, Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how many of us were taught to relate to our bodies from the outside in. We're told to manage, control, or fix our bodies when they don’t behave the way we think they should. Even when we’re trying to eat “well” or heal our relationship with food, that underlying dynamic often stays the same, just dressed up in different language. I recently published a new post that explores a different way of thinking about this, through the lens of...

Greek yogurt with berries and granola.

Hi Reader, January is always a month where simple, nourishing, actually doable meals feel extra important. So today I’m sharing a little roundup of recipes readers have been loving recently, and a few I’ve been making on repeat in my own kitchen. Here are five favorites to inspire your week: Quick & Easy Greek Yogurt Bowls with Berries: A simple, high-protein breakfast or snack that feels fresh but grounding. Great for busy mornings when you want something nourishing without turning on the...