But after all those decades of diet advice, the typical diet remains far from perfect. We're eating too much ultra-processed snack foods, sipping sweetened drinks in the guise of water, and avoiding the fruits and vegetables our bodies require.

But the twist is this: it has nothing to do with willpower. One of the main problems is the way we think about eating healthily.

Deprivation Doesn't Work (And It's Not Sustainable)

The most familiar tale of eating better is one of elimination—less of that, no carbs, reduced fat, gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, taste-free. Sound familiar?

But come on: deprivation never pays off in the long term. Maybe it's a week or two. Possibly even a month. But we ultimately reach a brick wall. Life is crazy. Stress levels spike. We're tired and hungry, and the chips in the kitchen are in reach. That's when the "all or nothing" attitude breaks down—and suddenly it's a full-blown junk food binge.

Rather than positioning healthy eating as a war of willpower, what if we turned the focus around to making the choices accessible?

Healthy Eating is All About Being Prepared

Here's a revolution: healthy food isn't so much about deprivation but about access. It's not that we're choosing junk food because it tastes better (okay, sometimes), but actually because it's the most convenient thing to find.

When you're starving and unprepared, your brain is searching for the quickest source of calories. A bag of chips or a dash to the fast food joint is a lifeline. The healthier option? Having healthy food that is just as convenient to grab.

And that's where planning comes in.

What Planning Ahead Really Means to You

No, it doesn't require you to spend every Sunday night cooking 21 perfectly portioned meals in the same containers (unless that's your preference—then do that and have at it). Planning can be easy and adaptable, such as:

Having some of the regular meals on rotation that are healthy, filling, and quick
Pre-chopping vegetables in advance to include in salads or stir-fries during the week
Keeping some protein snacks readily available (nuts, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, etc.)
Freezing leftovers in portions for those "I don't feel like cooking today" days
Having fruit available in the home at all times that is ready to consume

The issue isn't being perfect. It's having a safety net. Then, when hunger strikes, you don't have merely awful options.

Remaking "Healthy" into Something You Deserve

One of the greatest attitude changes is to think of healthy eating as a sign of respect for oneself instead of punishment.

You're having a salad because you choose to, not because you "have to" or because you're trying to "be good." You're having one because your body craves and requires fuel that makes you feel energized, clear-headed, and strong. That's not restriction—it's nourishment.

So rather than constantly focusing on what you can't have, focus on how you'd like to feel. Healthy eating is not perfect. It's eating better more often and having those good options there when it counts.

Create a System That Facilitates Healthy Choices—Not One That Depends on Willpower

Don't beat yourself up if your eating plan isn't where you'd like it to be. The issue isn't your willpower—it's the system you're operating under. So instead of attempting to cut out all "bad" foods or try the latest health craze, begin in small ways:

Fill your pantry with healthy staples
Prepare ahead of time
Eat natural and enjoyable foods

Healthy eating doesn't have to be difficult—it just takes intention. And that you can do.