Food Habits I Subscribed to That Weren't Healthy (For Me)

Back in 2019, I made a few decisions that felt smart at the time: I cut carbs, embraced intermittent fasting, and swapped breakfast for my morning latte. Everywhere I looked, the wellness industry was embracing keto diets and various iterations of fasting schedules and I wanted to try them for myself. It wasn’t about losing weight, it was about optimization—more energy, better skin, mental clarity. And if I’m honest, it was also probably partially because these things were fads at the time. I figured they must have been fads for a reason!

When I first started eating low-carb and skipping meals, it gave me a sense of structure. I liked the feeling of following a plan. I liked the clean lines, the food rules, the promise that if I just stuck with it, I’d feel incredible. But what began as curiosity quietly turned into rigidity. I followed these practices for four years—long enough to learn that sometimes, what looks like wellness on the surface can mask something very different underneath. I think we’ve all probably been there.

Over time, I started to feel a little off. I was anxious in the mornings, I couldn’t concentrate very well, I’d feel wired and tired at the same time—like my brain was speeding while my body lagged behind. I’d brush it off, drink more water, adjust my macros, tweak my fasting window. Looking back on it, I was running on fumes because I wasn’t actually nourishing my body, I was simply depriving it.

That started to pique my curiosity about what “healthy” really meant, and it led me to realize that what was healthy for a certain group of people might not be healthy for me. 

During those four years, carbs started to become something I feared, not something I enjoyed. Even fruit or sweet potatoes felt “indulgent.” I believed that by avoiding them, I was staying in control, when in reality, I was depriving my body of the very thing it needed to function well. Carbohydrates play a critical role in hormone balance, brain health, and digestion. But I had internalized the message that they were mostly to be avoided.

This fear-based relationship with food started to shift how I saw myself. I’d feel proud when I skipped a meal and guilty when I didn’t. Kyle and I would track our blood glucose levels and rigidly plan the timing of our first and last meal. I wasn’t listening to my body; I was listening to formulas. 

The other habit that I realized wasn’t for me was intermittent fasting—specifically, starting my day with coffee on an empty stomach. If you’ve read my post on morning non-negotiables, you’ll know that one of my must-do things in the morning is to eat before even a sip of caffeine! That’s thanks to my learnings from fasting.

At first, fasting felt efficient. I’d wake up, make a latte with a high-fat, unsweetened milk that supposedly “wasn’t going to spike my glucose”, and dive into work. I told myself I was sharper, more focused, more productive. But I didn’t realize I was also jittery, distracted, and emotionally reactive. It wasn’t focus I was experiencing—it was cortisol.

Without fuel in the morning, my body was in a constant state of stress. The coffee spiked my adrenaline, my blood sugar dipped, and my nervous system paid the price. I wasn’t skipping breakfast—I was skipping regulation. And that began to show up in ways I couldn’t ignore: anxiety, fatigue, hormonal shifts, and a growing inability to tell when I was truly hungry or just running on stress hormones.

It took time to unlearn those habits. Time, patience, grace towards myself, and a willingness to listen to my body in a new way. I had to quiet the noise of wellness trends and return to the basics: how does this actually make me feel? Not just in the moment, but an hour later, or at the end of the week?

I started eating breakfast again—something grounding, with protein and fiber and real joy. I reintroduced carbs slowly and paid attention to how they helped me feel more energized and satisfied. I began to notice that when I fueled myself early in the day, my anxiety went down. My thinking became clearer. My skin actually improved. It was a reminder that food isn’t just functional—it’s foundational. It affects everything.

I want to be clear: this isn’t an indictment of keto, or intermittent fasting, or anyone who has found genuine benefit from those approaches. Our bodies are different. Our needs are different. What works beautifully for one person or in one season of life might feel terrible for another—and that’s okay.

I wanted to share my story because I think many of us can relate. Every week it seems like there’s a new fad diet or workout plan, and I think sometimes this can be a good thing. It’s nice to prompt people to experiment with what they’re eating and how they’re moving their bodies because sometimes it does unlock a really healthy habit! At the same time, I think it’s even more important to remember that health is deeply personal, and just because thousands of people are reporting feeling more alert, happier, or thinner doesn’t mean the same thing will work for you. And if it doesn’t work for you, move on! Eating should be enjoyable and fulfilling; health should be one of your biggest tools, not something you fear. 

Now, my relationship with food looks very different. I no longer measure success by how many hours I go without eating, or how few carbs I’ve consumed. I measure it by how steady I feel, how connected I am to my body, how much I genuinely look forward to meal time, and oddly enough, how few thoughts I have about food.

Have you ever participated in a diet trend that didn’t work for you? Would love to discuss in the comments!

Reading: Tress of the Emerald Sea This is a standalone fantasy novel by Brandon Sanderson that has had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions. Sometimes I need a good fantasy read to help me disconnect from work and I’m loving this whimsical adventure. 

Planning: My maternity leave! I’m about to be 35 weeks pregnant and am getting so excited to meet baby girl. A lot of thought and preparation has gone into being able to take 6-8 weeks “off” to focus on bonding with my new baby and immersing myself in newborn life. Let me know if you’d be interested in how I’m planning for time away from work!  

Loving: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Luminous Powder Blush in shade Hope This blush has a luminous finish. It leaves my skin looking so flush and glowy and it lasts all day. It’s also non-toxic.