About the Founder McKel Hill Kooienga, MS, RDN, LDN
An industry leader in mindful nutrition and redefining how we care for ourselves through food.
Hi, I’m McKel — a Registered Dietitian, author, and founder of Nutrition Stripped®. For over a decade, I’ve helped people break free from diets and reconnect with food, their bodies, and themselves.
Through my journey and coaching thousands of clients, I created the Mindful Nutrition Method™—a gentle, step-by-step approach that blends nutrition science with mindfulness and self-compassion. It’s designed to help you nourish your body, build healthy habits that last, and feel calm and confident with food.
My work has been featured in Oprah.com, Bon Appétit, Food Network, Women’s Health, and more, and has reached millions of people around the world. But at the heart of it all is this: I believe food is more than fuel—it’s connection, care, and a form of expression and presence.
Food is far more than nourishment on a cellular level for our physical bodies. It’s also about honoring the many roles food plays in our lives such as enjoyment, pleasure, connection, experiencing tradition, social and cultural connection, and joy. Eating balanced and mindfully includes both sides of this spectrum.” — McKel Hill Kooienga, MS, RDN, LDN Founder of Nutrition Stripped
About Nutrition Stripped
Helping you take care—through food, mindfulness, and simple daily practices.
Nutrition Stripped® is a wellness platform and mindful method rooted in the belief that nourishment should feel calm, empowering, and sustainable—not restrictive or overwhelming.
We’re here to help you break free from dieting, eat with intention, and take care of your whole self—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether through our courses, recipes, or resources, we guide you to build a positive relationship with food and create habits that support your energy, digestion, mood, and well-being.
Our approach blends the science of nutrition with the wisdom of mindfulness. We emphasize balanced meals, daily awareness, and progress over perfection. We believe in taking care—of your body, your mindset, and the way you live.
Learn more about our approach to health here.
My Background
- Master of Science Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, The Ohio State University
- Master Thesis: Dietitian Practitioners’ Knowledge, Behaviors, and Practices Regarding Dietary Supplements
- RDN Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and LDN Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist
- Member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Mindful Self Compassion (MSC), training
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), training
- Wellcoaches Behavioral Coaching, training
- The Power Of Awareness by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, training
- The Science and Art of Herbalism by Rosemary Gladstar, training
- A long-time student of mindfulness meditation
Follow along @nutritionstripped for more guidance on balanced eating, calm living, and mindful care.