Healthy Bits · Nutrition & wellness
The 90/10 rule
The 90/10 rule is the heart of how I approach food with my clients. Aim to eat nourishing, whole foods about 90 percent of the time, and leave the other 10 percent for joy: birthday cake, pizza night, your grandmother's cookies.
If you eat around 21 meals a week, that's roughly two meals with no rules. This isn't a loophole. It's what makes healthy eating last. Strict, all-or-nothing plans tend to backfire, while a little flexibility keeps you from feeling deprived.
The 90 percent is where the real nourishment happens. When most of your meals are built from vegetables, quality protein, healthy fats and whole grains, the occasional treat simply becomes part of a full life.
Try this: plan your 10 percent this week, then savor it without guilt.
- sweet treats
- cravings
- self-care
Healthy Bits are for general education and aren’t medical advice. Check with your doctor or healthcare provider before making changes, especially if you’re pregnant or nursing, take medication, or are managing a health condition.