The goal is not perfection. This post explains what I learned when I stopped trying to eat perfectly and why I don’t count macros. This article was originally on my Substack and I wanted to republish it to share here!
We live in an age obsessed with optimization – tracking every step, macro and micro-decision, trying to squeeze performance out of every hour and calorie. As someone who lives a lot in the land of checklists and efficiency (I’m an optimizer, I’d know), I understand the appeal. Optimization is productive. Responsible. Like doing things right.
But at what cost?
Because when I picture myself decades from now—hopefully in my 90s—I don’t think I’ll be thinking about how many grams of protein I ate a day or how I looked in my bathing suit at 43. I want to think about the adventures I had and who I had them with. The trips, the dinners, the conversations, the everyday moments that added up to a lifetime.
Because I don’t count macros
Perfection has a sneaky way of sapping the joy of eating. When every bite turns into a math problem or moral decision, eating ceases to be nourishment and connection and instead begins to feel like work. When I first started learning about nutrition, it was difficult not to do this. Knowledge is power, and I suddenly began to see food more as a number than as fuel.
But I’ve learned that constantly watching and adjusting doesn’t make life better. It just takes up valuable space in my head.
When I gradually gave up counting calories, learned to trust my hunger and my body, I began to really enjoy food – and life – to the fullest.
Health As A Bell Curve
I like to think of health as a bell curve. And not one with a sharp point that you can fall in the middle of, but one with a regular curve shape that is smooth and gradual. (Also think of it as a part of the Squiggly line!)
At one extreme is the rigid constraint
This is where every meal feels like a math problem and every decision has moral weight. Foods are labeled as bad and only the most nutrient dense foods are allowed. Rule of optimization and perfection.
At the other extreme is complete indifference to nutrition
This is where food becomes a stressor or a non-stressor. (This could be by choice or not.) Health is not considered at all and this could lead to long term problems or a shorter life span.
The sweet spot is the top of the bell curve
Where you nourish your body, feel great, support a long life and still enjoy the process along the way. Where food gives you energy, strength and resilience and leaves room for spontaneity, celebration and pleasure.
People who live the longest in the world don’t count macros. Research on Blue Zones suggests that longevity comes from a simple, plant-based diet combined with daily movement, strong relationships, and a sense of purpose. All of this is a reminder that health is about how we live, not just what we eat.
Nutrition without Maths
I don’t have the time or mental space to count calories or macros. I don’t want math taking up so much real estate in my brain. But I care deeply about how I feel in my body and how I support my long-term health.
So instead of counting, I focus on a few simple things:
- Including a variety of carbs, protein, fat and colorful foods at most meals so I feel satisfied
- Eating lots of vegetables and plants for fiber and antioxidants
- Getting enough protein to support muscle and strength as I age
- I choose foods that help me feel good most days
The goal is to eat food to give me energy, good digestion, satisfied hunger, delicious taste, and community. The goal is to hit a pattern, not a formula.
Research shows that broad dietary patterns, for example a Mediterranean diet, are associated with lower rates of heart disease and longer life spans, even without tracking precise macro goals. {PREDIMED study on the benefits of the Mediterranean diet}
The real goal
I’m not saying we should ignore nutrition altogether—or never look at a nutrition label, or stop caring about things like protein and hydration. These things matter. What I a.m Saying that they work best as general guides, not rigid targets. Broad intentions tend to support real life better than chasing exact numbers.
The goal is not perfection. The goal is to feel good for as long as your body allows.
It’s having the energy to move your body, think clearly and show up for your life and your loved ones.
I would like to hear from you
Where are you on the health curve right now? Have you ever noticed perfection creeping in where it wasn’t helping?
