A balanced – not perfect – diet

In the world of optimal health, food can become a breeding ground for stress. From macro tracking to intermittent fasting, eating is so much more complicated than having food when hungry.

I still wanted to eat as healthily as I could… but without the headache. I cut out caffeine and started to track how many times I ate refined sugar or alcohol throughout the month, using a free, fairly rudimental app on my phone. My once-daily chocolate habit gradually reduced to once every 10 days or so, and the change had a profound impact on my menstrual and mental health.

I also felt more empowered to refuse alcohol when I could see that my last drink was only one or two days ago. I aim to include at least two fruits or vegetables at each meal, varying the colours when I can, although I do seem to be in a serious relationship with broccoli and apples at the moment.

“Optimising my health ruined my life – here's how I made peace with being good enough”