Healthy Vs. Balance: Genuine truth For A Better You

We often hear that ‘healthy eating’ is about balance—but what if our idea of balance is actually restrictive?

I want you to take a moment to reflect on your daily habits.

Write down what you consider healthy, balanced actions. Have you listed anything that you have incorporated into your life because it’s been advertised as a smart choice?

Now, take a step back and evaluate those choices. 
How many of them do you think are truly healthy? Do you have any of these written down?

- I choose "low-fat" or "diet" products over full-fat options.
- I must drink more water, even when I’m not thirsty.
- I skip breakfast to "save calories."
- I make sure I take my daily supplements.
- I don’t take rest days
- I only eat “healthy” foods

Many of these habits might seem like the ‘right choice,’ but they aren’t balanced. So, let’s look at what being ‘healthy’ and ‘balanced’ really mean.

What Does Being ‘HEALTHY’ Even Mean?

We hear the term all the time, but when you stop to think about it—do you know what it means?

• Is it about eating clean?
• Cutting out sugar?
• Avoiding carbs?
• Or is it something else entirely?

Living ‘healthily’ often starts with good intentions—exercising more, taking supplements, swapping meals for the new health trend etc. But then someone else tells you something different. Confusing you and making you swap and change again until there’s nothing left.

But do these choices make us any healthier?

You’re often left wondering:

What am I allowed to eat then?

First, eggs were demonized for cholesterol—then hailed as a superfood.
Coconut oil was the magic cure for everything—until it wasn’t.
Carbs were banned in the 2000s, but now whole grains are praised.
Even avocado toast, once the holy grail of health, became "too fatty."

Every few years, the “healthiest” foods change. No wonder it’s exhausting!

As diet culture grows it’s easy to get caught up in the latest trends. We’re bombarded with rules, restrictions, and endless “shoulds” and “shouldn’t”:

• “I shouldn’t eat after 7 PM.”
• “No sugar.”
• “No carbs or fats.”
• “Always pick the dry salad over the creamy one.”

But here’s the thing—many of these “healthy rules” are misleading myths.

If eating “healthy” means constantly second-guessing every meal and feeling like nothing is ever good enough, is it really healthy then?

So, with all these confusing messages around food, how do we find our way back to what truly matters?

The answer lies in balance.

This Is Where Balance Comes In

If constantly swapping out meals for something ‘healthier’ doesn’t sound stressful enough, imagine trying to live a balanced lifestyle with the constant reminder of what is ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy.’

This is why many people don’t even try or end up giving up—fearing the judgment for their choices. But listen up…

If a balanced lifestyle means:

• Eating foods you enjoy without guilt
• Taking rest days without feeling lazy or unproductive
• Drinking water when you’re thirsty, not because you “have to”
• Moving your body in ways that feel good—whether it’s a walk, yoga, or dancing around your living room
• Taking time for relaxation, hobbies, and socializing—things that nurture your mental well-being

Then that sounds more like the life I want to live. Don’t you think?

Healthy vs Balance

Looking at these two words side by side, connected by vs., it almost feels like they are separate, even opposing, goals. But they shouldn’t be!

Instead of thinking of them as two different things, they should be viewed as one.

Chasing the ideal healthy lifestyle often means sacrificing balance, often without us even realising it. So how can we bring the two together? Here’s how

The Truth About a Healthy Balance

Instead of choosing between “healthy” and “balanced,” why not combine the two? A truly healthy lifestyle means embracing both nutritious choices and the flexibility to enjoy all foods without guilt.

Nutritious foods are important, but so is enjoying your favorite treats without guilt—because no food should be off-limits. Even the healthiest foods can have their side effects.

For example, according to Google, the number one healthiest food is watercress—but when taken in excess it can cause stomach issues. See? Even the healthiest foods have their downsides.

Clean Eating vs. Satisfaction

Choosing meals that satisfy you over meals that are just “clean” will not only leave you feeling physically full but also mentally at peace.

Have you ever ignored a craving and chosen something else instead? How did you feel afterward? Was the craving still there? Were you constantly thinking about that food?

It’s happened to me a lot. I would constantly think about eating peanut butter, but I never allowed myself to. Then, once I finally did, the months of contemplating “Should I or shouldn’t I?” disappeared—and I was left feeling satisfied.

Why Meal Timing Rules Are Misleading

Eating when you want no matter the time.

Listening to your body’s natural hunger cues without restrictions is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself. Why? Because so many people have lost the ability to do it.

We’ve been told that eating after 7 PM is a big no-no. But have you ever wondered why? Does your body really stop digesting food at night? Of course not! Yet, diet culture makes it seem like a rule we must follow.

Yes, late-night eating can interfere with digestion for some, but here’s the thing—your body doesn’t have an internal clock that suddenly shuts off digestion at night. It doesn’t care when you eat. What matters is that it gets the nourishment it needs, when it needs it.

So why let a rule made by someone else dictate when you should eat?

Don’t Force It, Enjoy It

Forcing yourself to go for a run, take a walk, or eat kale chips (even though you hate them) isn’t a sustainable way to live a healthy lifestyle. It limits your ability to be spontaneous away, making you miss out on experiences that might have been more beneficial.

Think about it—pushing yourself to run when you’re not feeling well, just because you should, means you’re only giving 30% at best. But if you took that time to rest and recharge, you’d be able to give your full 100% the next day.

Living a healthy life shouldn’t be about rigid rules. It’s about balance—listening to your body, honoring what it needs, and knowing when to push and when to pause.

No bad or good

Having a neutral relationship with food—seeing it as neither ‘bad’ nor ‘good’—is key to a balanced mindset. No food is inherently “bad” or “good”; it’s about perspective.

Sure, some foods offer more nutrients than others, but every food has a role. Even so-called “junk” foods provide energy and enjoyment, while too much of even the healthiest foods can lead to imbalances.

Instead of labeling foods, it’s more beneficial to look at your diet as a whole. True health isn’t about avoiding certain foods, but about creating a sustainable balance.

Your Turn…

What change do you want to make in your lifestyle for a better you? Will you continue to chase the image of ‘healthy’ or become the best version healthy version of YOU?

Your next move is in your hands—make it count.