Food Freedom: Why You Don’t Need to Be Perfect to Be Healthy

Let’s be real. Have you ever “fallen off the wagon” on Friday night with pizza or a glass of wine… and then spent the whole weekend saying, “Oh well, I’ve ruined it now, may as well start again Monday”? I hear this from women all the time.

And I always say: breathe. You haven’t failed. You’re human.

A healthy life isn’t about perfection. It’s about consistency, kindness, and balance. Chasing perfect eating only creates stress, guilt, and a messy relationship with food. And stress, by the way, is just as bad for your health as sugar or takeaway (Better Health Channel).

That’s why I love talking about food freedom—a way of eating that fuels your body most of the time but still makes room for joy, celebrations, and yes, cake.

The Problem with Perfection

When you try to live in the “Land of No”—no sugar, no carbs, no fun—it feels good for about five minutes. But it’s unsustainable. Restrictive diets usually end in overeating, guilt, and starting over again (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health).

Worse, the stress of chasing a “perfect” diet can actually backfire. High cortisol (your stress hormone) encourages fat storage around the belly and messes with your sleep and mood (Cleveland Clinic). So the stricter you are, the more your body rebels.

The truth? Consistency beats perfection every time. Eating nourishing, real food most of the time is what delivers results—not eating perfectly for two weeks and then giving up.

The 80/20 Way of Living

Here’s the simple formula I give my clients: aim for 80% nourishing food, 20% soul food.

That means wholefoods, protein, veg, whole grains, and healthy fats most of the time. And the other 20%? That’s where life happens. Birthday cake. A glass of wine with girlfriends. A slice of Nonna’s lasagna. No guilt, no “starting again Monday.”

This 80/20 approach is flexible, realistic, and sustainable. And when you remove the guilt, you’ll notice something surprising—you often crave the healthy stuff more, because you feel so much better on it.

How to Practise Food Freedom

• Ditch the guilt. One biscuit doesn’t ruin your health. Beating yourself up does.

• Think addition, not restriction. Add more veg, more protein, more water. Crowding out works better than cutting out (A Healthy View).

• Mindful indulgence. If you love chocolate, buy the good dark stuff and savour two squares. Plate it, sit down, and enjoy it.

• Reset quickly. Overdid it? No problem. Just make your next meal nourishing—no punishment needed.

• Stop labelling food as “good” or “bad.” Food is not a moral issue. It’s fuel, connection, and joy.

The Real Win

When women step off the perfection rollercoaster, the results are almost immediate. Better sleep. More energy. No more 3pm binges. And a calmer, kinder relationship with food—and with themselves.

Your Next Step

This week, try living the 80/20 way. Notice how freeing it feels to enjoy a glass of wine or dessert without guilt—and how easy it is to return to balance at the next meal.

And if you need support, my book Eat, Drink & Still Shrink is full of practical strategies for enjoying food and health without obsession (A Healthy View).