The Problem with Extremes

If you’re like me, it’s easy to get swept up in the world of health trends. One day, you read that dairy products are bad for you. The next day, you’re told that bread is the enemy, or that potatoes should be avoided. But then, somewhere else, you find information praising the benefits of these very same foods. It’s overwhelming, isn’t it?

This information overload often leads to extremes—where we try to cut out entire food groups or follow rigid diets, believing that we’re doing something beneficial for our bodies. But is this approach really healthy? Is it sustainable?

In my experience, focusing too much on what’s considered “good” or “bad” can lead to an imbalance that’s more mental than physical. Instead of listening to our bodies, we start listening to external sources of information, allowing them to dictate our choices.

My Wake-Up Call in Greece

As I write this, I’m still in Greece, about one week into my holiday. I’m spending time with very dear friends, soaking in the sun, and enjoying every bit of this break. But more than just a vacation, this trip has led me to rethink my approach to food and balance.

When you’re on holiday, you’re naturally more relaxed, and there’s often a temptation to indulge in foods you wouldn’t normally eat at home. Here in Greece, it’s the rich, delicious flavors of Greek cuisine—cheeses, fresh vegetables, local meats, and of course, fried potatoes. Sitting in a small village taverna, enjoying food grown in local gardens and prepared with care, I began to wonder: Is this food really “bad”? It’s fresh, natural, and prepared with love. Could it be that our relationship with food is less about the ingredients themselves and more about how we feel when we consume them?

The Power of Perception and Stress

One of the biggest realizations I’ve had during this trip is that how we perceive food—or any experience—affects how our bodies process it. When we think something is “bad” for us, our brain automatically triggers the creation of stress hormones, like cortisol, to protect the body from potential harm.

Here’s how it works: When your brain identifies something as a threat—whether it’s food, a negative thought, or even a stressful experience—it activates your fight-or-flight response. This mechanism diverts energy away from non-essential functions, like digestion, to prepare your body to either fight the perceived threat or escape from it.

In this state, your body uses all of its resources to stay alert and ready, leaving very little energy to process and digest—whether it’s food, information, emotions, or experiences. When digestion doesn’t occur properly, what should be processed and released ends up staying in your system, potentially turning into toxins. This includes food that could have been easily digested if your body wasn’t under stress. Over time, what wasn’t processed becomes a burden on your system, contributing to more harm than the initial “bad” food or experience would have caused on its own.

Essentially, the stress you feel from thinking something is harmful can turn that very thing into a problem. The food itself, or even sitting too long in the sun, might not be the issue—it’s the stress response that stops your body from properly digesting or detoxifying what you’ve taken in. When your body is relaxed, it knows how to handle foods that aren’t ideal, removing what’s unnecessary or harmful and preserving what it needs. However, when you’re in fight-or-flight mode, this natural process gets disrupted.

Checking In With Yourself

While on this vacation, I’ve started practicing something I call “checking in” with myself. Rather than following strict rules or trends, I ask myself how I feel about a particular food or activity. For example, I love feta cheese, but after enjoying it for a couple of days here in Greece, I noticed my body felt sluggish and heavy. Instead of forcing myself to continue eating it because it was in front of me, I chose to leave it off my plate the next day. It wasn’t about following a diet or someone else’s idea of balance; it was about listening to what my body was telling me in that moment.

This concept applies beyond food. We often get caught up in doing things because everyone else is doing them—whether it’s sitting in the sun when our bodies feel overheated or joining a group for a drink when we don’t really want one. By checking in with yourself regularly, you can make choices that align with your true needs, not just social expectations.

Your Body Knows Best

The truth is, there’s no universal definition of balance, especially when it comes to food and lifestyle. What works for me might not work for you, and that’s perfectly fine. For example, I drink a nightly ginger and turmeric shot because it makes me feel energized and healthy. That doesn’t mean it’s the magic formula for everyone. Our bodies are all unique, and nature provides a variety of options for us to explore and find what works best for each of us.

Rather than seeking balance in external sources—whether that’s diets, trends, or advice from others—start seeking balance by turning inward. Your body has an incredible intelligence. It knows what it needs if you’re willing to listen.

Embracing Flexibility

Balance is not about sticking to a strict set of rules. It’s about flexibility and adapting to what feels right for you in the moment. Maybe one day, you’ll feel like having that slice of bread, or enjoying a glass of wine with friends, and that’s okay. What’s important is to make decisions that align with how you feel—not because a particular diet says it’s allowed or forbidden.

So the next time you’re overwhelmed with what’s good or bad, take a step back. Check in with yourself. Ask your body how it feels. At the end of the day, the only true expert on your health is you.

Final Thoughts

The journey toward balance is not about following a formula—it’s about creating your own. As we continue to learn more about health, nutrition, and lifestyle, remember that the best approach is the one that feels right for your body, your mind, and your overall well-being.

Take the time to listen to yourself. Trust your instincts. And remember, balance isn’t something you find on the internet—it’s something you cultivate within.

Key Takeaways:

• Perception plays a huge role in how we experience food and life: Stressing about what’s “bad” or “good” can negatively impact digestion, emotions, and overall health.

• The stress hormone response can disrupt digestion: When your body enters fight-or-flight mode, it pulls energy away from digesting food, processing emotions, and handling experiences. This can turn neutral or even healthy things into harmful ones, as your body doesn’t have the energy to process them properly.

• Listen to your body: What works for someone else may not work for you, and that’s okay. Check in with how you feel, both physically and emotionally, before making decisions.

• Balance is personal: There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. True balance comes from flexibility, self-awareness, and honoring your own needs, rather than adhering to external rules or societal expectations.

What steps are you taking to find your own balance? Let me know in the comments!