At Primary Health Solutions, we believe that food plays a powerful role in overall health – and for many of our dietitians, that passion begins with personal experience.
For Tracie L. Shibley, RDN, LD, that belief began in her grandmother’s kitchen.
Growing up, Tracie spent time cooking and baking alongside her grandmother. Those moments sparked an interest in food that would eventually grow into a lifelong passion.
“I had an early curiosity about food and cooking as a child that came from spending time with my grandmother in the kitchen,” said Shibley. “My love of food guided me toward a desire to understand nutrition and how food fuels us.”
That childhood interest ultimately led Tracie to a career in nutrition, where she has spent nearly 23 years helping families through Butler County WIC and Primary Health Solutions.
“I truly enjoy working for the WIC program,” she said. “Feeding your family or offering food to someone is a special act, and being able to be a small part of that process for someone is a true blessing.”
Throughout her career, Tracie has helped families navigate everything from introducing new foods to creating healthy habits that can last a lifetime. She enjoys empowering patients with practical nutrition knowledge and helping them feel confident in the choices they make for their families.
For Tracie, the phrase “food is medicine” goes beyond vitamins and nutrients.
“Food is love,” she said. “Food does more than provide us with energy, it heals us. I like to encourage the idea that there are no bad foods and that moderation is key.”
Her approach focuses on balance rather than restriction, helping patients build a healthy relationship with food while still enjoying the foods they love.
And speaking of favorite foods, Tracie didn’t hesitate when asked about hers: bread.
“I love to make my own dough,” she said. “Making bread is easy and inexpensive because it only requires a few ingredients, and the possibilities are endless. Sweet cinnamon bread or savory cheese and herb bread are my favorites.”
One piece of nutrition advice she frequently shares with patients is to focus on foods that are as close to their natural state as possible.
“Try to eat foods that grow naturally and shop along the perimeter of the grocery store,” she said. “That’s where you’ll typically find many fresh foods in the store.”
While healthy eating can sometimes feel overwhelming, Tracie encourages families to start with small, manageable changes and remember that every healthy choice adds up over time.
Looking for a simple and nutritious meal to try at home? One of Tracie’s favorite recipes is Easy Lentil Soup—a hearty, budget-friendly option packed with flavor and nutrition.
Ingredients:
2 – 32 ounce containers of chicken stock or broth (Vegetable or beef works, too!)
2 cups dry lentils, rinsed
1 medium onion, chopped
¼ cup tomato paste
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 tablespoon cumin
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a pot on the stove top and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until lentils are soft. Approximately 30-45 minutes.
Note:
You can really customize the soup to your liking. You can add any cooked meat of your choice and extra dry herbs or salt and pepper to taste. You can add diced potatoes or vegetables. You could also add more water if you like a more brothy soup. There are many possibilities with this recipe and it’s healthy and packed with fiber.