There was a time when the phrase balanced diet felt like code. Code for restriction. For guilt. For food rules disguised as “wellness.” Somewhere along the way, balance became another standard to measure myself against, instead of something to nourish me.

I’ve been through most of the food phases. The green smoothies, the low-this, the high-that, the silently judging myself for craving bread with dinner. But eventually, I realized that I didn’t want eating to be another performance. I wanted it to feel like care. Intentional to me and how my body feels.

Reframing What Balance Means

Balance, for me now, isn’t about micromanaging macros or eating perfectly all the time. It’s not about earning meals or “being good” during the week so I can “cheat” on the weekend. That language just doesn’t belong in my kitchen anymore.

These days, balance looks more like listening. Paying attention. Noticing how different foods make me feel, and how my mood, energy, and cravings shift over time.

It’s less about control, and more about trust.

What I’ve Learned From Letting Go of Extremes

The extremes never worked. They made food feel like a test I kept failing. And they didn’t make me healthier, just more anxious, frustrated, and stressful.

Letting go of that mindset has given me something better. Space. Flexibility. Enjoyment. And honestly, a much more peaceful relationship with food.

Some days that looks like a colorful bowl of vegetables, roasted with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt. Other days, it looks like buttery toast and a second coffee. Most days, it’s somewhere in between.

And I’ve come to believe that’s exactly where balance lives.

Nourishment Isn’t Just Physical

Yes, food fuels our bodies. But it also connects us. It brings comfort. It anchors us in traditions and routines. It’s memory and culture and pleasure.

A balanced diet honors all of that.

It includes variety without obsession. It makes room for joy without guilt. It supports your energy, your digestion, your hormones, and your life, all without demanding perfection.

It’s the opposite of punishment. It’s care, in a language your body understands.

What Balance Looks Like in My Life

Here’s what I’ve been leaning into lately:

Regular meals, not just snacks (girl dinner lol) even when I’m busy. Especially when I’m busy. Eating enough. Leaning into variety, not for “balance,” but because it makes meals more satisfying. Making room for comfort foods without making it a “treat” that needs to be earned. Everything in moderation. Keeping it simple when I need to.

And most importantly, letting go of the idea that there’s one perfect way to eat. Everyone’s body is different, and everyone needs different meals. Know what is best for YOU.

Food as a Way to Support, Not Control

What I’ve come to believe is this: the most balanced diet is one that supports your life, not one that tries to control it.

It’s one that gives you energy to do the things you love. One that feels sustainable and nourishing, not stressful or rigid. One that includes both kale and cake without turning either into a moral choice.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by food rules, or trying to “get back on track,” maybe take a breath. Maybe come back to what feels grounding. Satisfying. Real.

There’s more wisdom in your appetite than you’ve probably been taught to believe. And there’s room, always, for both nourishment and ease.