“Everything in Moderation..." Why It Might Be Keeping You Stuck.

If I hear "everything in moderation" one more time, I might just scream.

For so many of us, myself included, this well-meaning advice has actually been the reason we've felt stuck, frustrated, and even broken. 

We tried it. We really did. Hell, we really want it to work because we don’t want to have to limit or give up our favorite foods…

But in a world overflowing with highly processed, hyper-palatable foods – literally engineered to make you crave more and more – "moderation" feels like an impossible, never-ending battle.

If this sounds all too familiar, you're not imagining it. Trying to moderate foods designed to be addictive is like being on a treadmill that keeps speeding up, and you're constantly trying not to fall off. When you inevitably struggle, you're left wondering, 'What's wrong with me? Everyone else seems to be able to do it…”

Let me tell you: There's nothing wrong with you. You are not broken.

The truth is, some foods are simply harder to moderate than others, especially if you're dealing with insulin resistance, sugar cravings, emotional eating, or wonky hormones. Forcing yourself to fight that constant mental battle and food noise is exhausting. It drains your willpower, fuels shame, and leaves you feeling defeated.

Think about it: What is moderation anyway? Who decides? Is it one donut or six? Daily, weekly, or just on special occasions? It's completely open to interpretation, and if you're anything like I was, you'll find a way to interpret it to fit whatever you're craving in the moment. I used to tell myself I'd just have "one square of chocolate," only to find myself going back for "just one more”... then one more…until eventually it was gone. It was a cycle that helped me gain over 50 pounds, not lose it.

Here's the honest truth: Sometimes, true freedom comes from recognizing what's just easier to stay away from. It's not about deprivation; it's about ending that constant, draining fight. It's about choosing peace over perpetual struggle.

So, tell me: Does the "moderation" mantra work for you, or have you found freedom in choosing to abstain from certain foods?