#10: Quality Food and a Lifestyle Fit

In today’s world of wellness influencers, trending hashtags, and celebrity meal plans, it’s easy to feel pressured to follow a specific diet. Keto, vegan, paleo, Mediterranean, intermittent fasting — each one has its loyal followers and persuasive claims. But here’s the truth that cuts through all the noise:

Almost any diet can work — if it’s built on quality food and fits your lifestyle.

 

There’s More Than One Way to Eat Well

 

People often search for the “perfect” diet, but the real answer is far more personal. We each have unique genetics, habits, health histories, and daily routines. That’s why two people can follow completely different diets and still see great results.

Personal story:

I once tried strict keto because a friend swore by it. For her, it boosted energy and helped her lose weight. For me? It left me foggy and fatigued. Later, I shifted to a Mediterranean-style approach with more whole grains, fish, and olive oil — and I felt stronger and more focused. The lesson? What works for someone else may not work for you — and that’s okay.

Expert Insight: It’s Not the Label, It’s the Quality

According to Dr. Mark Hyman, functional medicine expert and author of Food: What the Heck Should I Eat?, the debate over diets is missing the point:

“Forget the labels — paleo, vegan, keto. What matters is the quality of the food. You can be a ‘healthy vegan’ or a ‘junk food vegan.’ You can eat whole, real food on any diet.”

At the core of all effective eating styles is one shared principle: eat real, minimally processed food. Whether it’s a chickpea salad or grilled salmon, what matters most is the source and integrity of the ingredients.

What Quality Eating Looks Like

 

Across the board, high-quality eating usually includes:

• Plenty of vegetables in a variety of colors
• Whole, unprocessed ingredients
• Good fats (like avocado, olive oil, nuts, seeds)
• Clean proteins, whether from plants or animals
• Minimal added sugar and refined carbs
• Local, seasonal, and organic when possible

You can eat poorly on any diet — a bag of chips is technically “vegan,” and bacon wrapped in cheese fits into “keto.” But if your food is overly processed, lacks nutrients, or doesn’t support your energy and well-being, the diet won’t serve you long-term.

Matching Diet to Your Lifestyle

 

No matter how well-researched a diet is, it has to fit into your life. If it’s too rigid, time-consuming, or out of sync with your daily rhythm, it will likely lead to stress, frustration, or burnout.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Schedule: Do you have time to cook meals, or do you need quick, grab-and-go options?
• Activity level: Athletes may need more carbs or calories than someone with a desk job.
• Family/social life: Will your eating habits isolate you or make shared meals a challenge?
• Health needs: Are you managing blood sugar, autoimmune conditions, digestive issues, or hormone imbalances?

As Registered Dietitian Lisa Moskovitz puts it:

“A sustainable diet isn’t about discipline. It’s about compatibility — with your body, your values, and your routine.”

Helpful Resources to Explore

 

If you’re looking to find or refine your approach, here are some expert-backed resources to consider:

• Books:
  
• Food Rules by Michael Pollan
• The Pegan Diet by Dr. Mark Hyman
• Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Resch
  

 

• Podcasts:
  
• The Doctor’s Farmacy
• FoundMyFitness with Dr. Rhonda Patrick
• The Model Health Show by Shawn Stevenson

 

• Tools:
  
• The Cronometer app (tracks nutrition and micronutrients)
• Eat This Much (for meal planning by diet type)
• Local CSA or farmers market to source fresh, seasonal produce
  

Final Thoughts

There’s no universal “best” diet — but there is a best diet for you. And that will likely change over time as your body, lifestyle, and goals evolve.

What remains constant is this:

Eat high-quality food. Choose a way of eating that works with your life — not against it. Tune in to how you feel, and give yourself permission to adjust.

Health isn’t built on perfection. It’s built on consistency, balance, and a diet that feels like support — not punishment.