How to Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet Without Overthinking It

Tracking macros, clean eating, the keto diet versus the Mediterranean diet, carb cycling, intermittent fasting—the breadth of nutrition-focused strategies for better performance and—often for weight loss—can be dizzying.

For some of us, the desire to get lighter becomes a driving motivation, with the belief that more weight equals slower speed. But while aiming for healthy body composition is important, we might find ourselves sprinting into a gray area. At what point does managing macros and calories veer toward unhealthy preoccupation?

The answer is different for everyone, but there are some general strategies that can help reframe your approach to eating so daily consumption feels more like nourishment and a balanced diet rather than restriction. Here, some experts share their insights on what to consider when it comes to nurturing a healthy relationship with food.