Why We Need to Stop Stressing About Precision in Nutrition
We humans love precision. It helps us feel safe, in control, and certain.
We track steps, and some people have specific targets, even though most of them are completely made up. People and researchers measure macros, weigh food, and search for the “perfect” singular eating plan. And it makes sense, our brains are biased toward seeking patterns and predictability. In a chaotic world, precision feels like power.
But, when it comes to food and nutrition, the kind of precision we crave isn’t always possible—or even helpful.
Nutrition science is complex. It deals with messy, living systems (aka us, the world we live in, the community of microbes that live on and within us). Bodies are all unique. Our environments are all unique, and foods are variable.
Each human has a unique combination of genetics. Even identical twins with the same DNA have differences because of their epigenetics (marks on our genomes that influence how they are biologically expressed), which are influenced by everything from our early life exposures to our current lifestyles.
The same variety happens in foods. Not only are there a bunch of different types of apples, which all have their own unique compositions, but apples of the same type can be different in their nutritional make-up. One type of apple could have different nutrients depending on where it was grown and the conditions in which it was grown
We, and our foods aren’t static either. But even one apple throughout it’s life will vary in composition depending on how ripe it is, how it has been stored, and how long it sat in your fruit bowl. Our needs vary depending on our age, the elements we have been exposed to, our health and more.
And yet, we talk about nutrition as if it’s exact: “Eat X grams of protein,” “avoid Y foods,” “hit Z calorie targets.”
The truth? Much of what we think is precise in nutrition…isn't.
Don’t panic, but calorie counts on food labels can be off by up to 20% (it’s not a conspiracy, or laziness, or even marketing, it’s just not that precise). Nutrient databases are averages, not absolutes. RDIs aren’t actually targets. The same meal can be digested differently depending on your gut microbiome, stress levels, sleep, or even what you ate yesterday. And let’s not forget the huge variation in how people respond to diets—what works brilliantly for one person might be ineffective or unsustainable for another.
And this illusion of precision? It’s stressing us out.
Trying to control food down to the smallest detail creates anxiety. People feel like they’re constantly “failing” when they can’t stick to the plan or hit the target. We second-guess our choices, ignore our hunger cues, and get stuck in cycles of guilt and overcorrection. Worse still, we start to believe that health is only attainable if we follow the rules perfectly, which is simply not true.
This kind of pressure doesn’t just make eating less joyful—it can backfire. Stress impacts digestion, hormone balance, metabolism, and even our relationship with food. Ironically, in our attempt to eat “perfectly,” we can end up doing more harm than good.
But, it’s actually a good thing that nutrition isn’t precise.
A lack of precision means we can actually relax a little. We can stop micromanaging every bite and start tuning into the bigger picture. What do we eat most of the time? How do we feel day to day? Are we energized, satisfied, and enjoying food as part of life?
Because food is about more than nutrients—it’s about flexibility, adaptation, culture, joy, and connection. If nutrition were an exact science, there’d be one perfect way to eat, one perfect plate, and no room for individuality. No room for enjoyment. No room for change. That would be pretty meh. Downright unpleasant for most of us.
Luckily, bodies while not precise, are adaptable. They don’t need perfection—they need consistency, variety, and kindness. The fact that our bodies can handle fluctuations, accommodate different foods, and thrive in many dietary patterns is a feature, not a flaw. It means there’s more than one way to be nourished, more than one way to be healthy, and more than one way to feel good in your body.
When we stop chasing perfect precision, we open up space for something more sustainable—and more human.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to “get it right,” take a breath. Eat something nourishing. Notice how it makes you feel. Trust that nutrition doesn’t have to be an exact science to be a positive and joyful part of your life.
