
WELCOME!!!
Thank you for taking the time to stop in my corner of the internet.
I am Grace Hamrick, a Registered Dietitian in Raleigh, North Carolina. I grew up in eastern North Carolina and loved the mountains and beach equally.
In addition to being a Dietitian, I am a Certified LEAP Therapist and Health Coach passionate about educating women to eat to feel good, increase energy, and lose weight.
The food we put in our bodies and the products we put on our bodies are essential. We need to read labels, nourish our bodies with real food, and reduce exposure to environmental toxins we can control.
When I became pregnant with my second child, it opened my eyes to the personal care products I used daily. I had no idea that the face wash, lotion, and deodorant could potentially cause harm to the fetus. Then I started thinking, if it isn’t safe to use while pregnant, is it safe to use while not pregnant?
If I were learning this information and had a health background, then the general public would likely have no idea the impact of consuming unsafe products could harm their health and well-being.
My personal experience recovering from numerous knee surgeries drove me to want to educate women on helping them find the root cause of their health issues.
After college, I moved to Jackson, WY, to enjoy the wild west and spend time exploring the great outdoors. I had a freak ski accident and tore my ACL and meniscus when I was 23.
I recovered after my accident and returned to an active lifestyle of hiking, mountain biking, skiing, running, and competitively playing tennis.
In 2016, after having my second child, I started to experience numerous knee issues and inflammation in my body. I had surgery after surgery, trying to get back to an active lifestyle, but my body could not recover.
After many hours of research and doctor visits, I lived in chronic pain and could barely function with daily tasks. I knew something was wrong.
In the meantime, I was diagnosed with a wheat allergy in 2019. I am a dietitian and had no idea. My knee pain continued even after eliminating wheat, but I knew something else was going on in my body and preventing me from a full recovery.
At the age of 37 and after four different knee surgeries and a list of injections, including PRP injections, I had to decide to move forward with a total knee replacement. It was uncommon for someone my age to go ahead with this procedure, but I needed it to get back to moving my body and be active with three small boys.
After surgery, I experienced lots of knee pain and joint stiffness. I eventually needed a manipulation three months after the replacement. I used the MRT food sensitivities test and my knowledge as a dietitian to navigate a low-inflammatory diet avoiding foods and chemicals causing an inflammatory response.
After more testing, it was concluded I am in a pre-autoimmune phase. These markers point to an autoimmune condition but have not been able to diagnose me yet. Managing my diet, exercise, sleep, and stress are all key factors to keep the autoimmune issues at bay.
Now, I am living an active lifestyle of Barre3, walking, playing doubles, and hiking. Food allowed me to help heal my body. Sometimes even healthy foods can cause inflammatory responses, so understanding each body is different and no one plan will benefit everyone. Working with a dietitian can help you navigate the best solution for your body and lifestyle.
Let’s work together so we can get you feeling your best. Click on the Work With Me tab to get started.