NUANCE, AND WHY IT MATTERS
“It depends.”
The obscure answer that we get when it comes to many nutrition-related questions – and as frustrating as it can be, it’s the response you should be hearing often.
When it comes to health, most of us want a clear answer: “Do this, not that.” It feels simpler, more manageable, defined, and easier to follow. But the reality is that nutrition, fitness, and wellness (let alone life) rarely work in black-and-white terms. What’s “right” for one person may not be right for another, and what feels supportive in one season might not in the next.
That’s where nuance comes in.
WHY NUANCE MATTERS
Nuance is what makes healthy habits yours. It’s the difference between following someone else’s rigid plan and building one that actually fits your life. Without nuance, we risk getting stuck in all-or-nothing thinking: either we’re doing everything perfectly, or we’re failing. But with nuance, there’s space for flexibility, adjustment, and growth.
The same habit can mean two very different things depending on the person and the context:
“Should I workout today, even though I’m a little tired/sore/unmotivated?”
Person A: Has overtrained for years, and is learning the value of rest days.
Person B: After taking a break from exercise for years, is shifting their identity to someone who exercises regularly.
These two individuals have two different goals around exercise – a rest day can be progress for someone who tends to overtrain, while a workout can be progress for someone who struggles with consistency. Neither is wrong; there are different “right” answers depending on someone’s history, current needs, and future goals.
Or this:
“Should I have a second/third slice of pizza?”
Person A: Has a history of restriction, and stayed away from pizza for years.
Person B: Came to happy hour to say hi to co-workers, on the way to meet a friend for dinner.
Person C: Is enjoying homemade pizza with their family, where they used toppings like colorful veggies and lean ground chicken.
No right or wrong answers for any of these folks, either! There are absolutely times where the second or third slice of pizza is more than warranted; and some times that balance and moderation might point to saying “no, thank you.”
The action itself isn’t what matters most — it’s what that action means for you in your journey. Recognizing nuance helps us shift from judging actions as “good” or “bad” to asking: Does this serve me right now? Is it aligned with my goals?
Practicing nuance requires curiosity and self-awareness. Instead of defaulting to blanket rules, you start checking in with yourself:
What do I need today?
What’s realistic for me in this season of life?
Is this action moving me closer to my goals or pulling me further away?
This is where sustainable progress is made — not by forcing the same rigid habit or thought pattern “just because,” but by learning to adjust while still moving forward.
Nuance doesn’t mean lowering your standards or letting yourself off the hook. It means understanding that health isn’t a one-size-fits-all equation. It’s about knowing that two people can make very different choices and both be doing what’s best for them.
When you embrace nuance, you step out of the trap of perfectionism and into a space where consistency, flexibility, and self-trust can actually thrive.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Does this blog post resonate with you? At Front Porch Nutrition, I coach real people through real-life nutrition — thinking through what your wants, needs, and goals are, and working together to make changes that last not just in the moment, but for the long haul. Get started with 1:1 nutrition coaching today!
