Registered Dietitian | Cookbook Author | Founder of Tasting to Thrive

Hi! I’m Lauren McNeill, a Registered Dietitian with over a decade of experience helping people feel nourished, confident, and inspired through approachable plant-based eating.
I’m also the founder of Tasting to Thrive, where hundreds of thousands of readers come each month for recipes that actually work, meal plans that make life easier, and practical nutrition advice that isn’t overwhelming or boring.
I’m the author of The Simple Vegan Kitchen, a cookbook packed with easy, flavor-packed plant-based meals that fit real life.
Every recipe on my site is personally written, tested, and photographed by me, so you can trust that it’ll taste amazing and will actually turn out in your kitchen!
My work has been featured in Global News, CBC, The Toronto Star and Well + Good, where I’m recognized as a trusted voice in plant-based nutrition, women’s health, and practical meal planning.
When I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find me training for a marathon, savoring the perfect cup of coffee, or strolling the Halifax shoreline with my husband and our rescue pup, Sadie.
Education
- Master of Public Health (MPH) in Nutrition & Dietetics, specialization in Women’s Health
- Registered Dietitian (RD) credential
- Extensive training in evidence-based nutrition, plant-based dietary patterns and women’s health
Experience
- 10+ years practicing as a Registered Dietitian in clinical, community, and public health settings
- Founder and content creator of Tasting to Thrive, personally writing, testing, and photographing every single recipe!
- Cookbook author of The Simple Vegan Kitchen
- Media expert & contributor: Featured in Global News, CBC, The Toronto Star, Well + Good, and more
- Community reach: Engages hundreds of thousands of readers monthly with nutrition tips, meal plans, and recipes
- Created two successful online programs with Vegetarian Times Magazine, educating families on how to incorporate more plant-based foods into their daily eating patterns.
Expertise
- Plant-based nutrition that’s simple, balanced, and actually enjoyable
- High-protein vegan recipes and balanced meals for active lifestyles
- Women’s health, intuitive eating, and evidence-based nutrition strategies
- Recipe development, testing, and food photography for recipes you can trust
- Practical meal planning, grocery lists, and time-saving strategies
Work Experience
My career as a Registered Dietitian started in community and clinical settings, helping people make nutrition practical and doable. Over time, I realized that one of the biggest hurdles isn’t knowing what to eat—it’s turning that advice into real meals you actually want to eat. That’s what inspired me to create Tasting to Thrive, now a go-to spot for plant-based recipes and nutrition guidance that’s fun, approachable, and delicious.
I’m a born educator and love sharing evidence-based tips through workshops, media interviews, and collaborations with brands like Vitamix, Cuisinart, and Ninja Kitchen. And after more than ten years of recipe development, I know how to make plant-based meals that are easy, flavorful, and satisfyingly nourishing, without feeling complicated or fussy.
Because of this approach, I’m regularly featured in media as a trusted resource for plant-based nutrition, meal planning, and women’s health.
Read more about Tasting to Thrive here!
Quick Things About Me
- Favorite recipes: 20-Minute Marry Me Chickpeas, 20-Minute Stovetop Maple Glazed Tofu, and my Healthy Dairy-Free Tomato Soup with Crispy Chickpeas
- Avid marathon runner and lifelong coffee lover
- Loves long walks on the Halifax shoreline with my husband and our rescue pup, Sadie
- Believes food should be simple, satisfying, and joyful
Come join me on Instagram & TikTok for more recipes, wellness tips and behind the scenes, or on Pinterest and Facebook for recipes!
And don’t forget to join the Tasting to Thrive newsletter! I share weekly meal plans and nutrition tips that you can’t find anywhere else!