225: Answering the Question, "Is it Healthy?"

Total Health in Midlife with Elizabeth Sherman

Is this healthy… or fat as sh*t?” Why That Might Be the Wrong Question Entirely.

Have you ever paused mid-scroll, staring at some sort of ‘food hack’ on Instagram, and wondered, “Wait… is that actually good for me?”

In this episode, I peel back the layers of that deceptively simple question and challenge the rigid good vs. bad food mindset that so many of us carry. Through a relatable Costco story, surprising examples (yes, even kale can be ‘unhealthy’ for some people), and a new framework called the “Three Food Buckets,” I help reframe how we think about food, moving away from judgment and toward self-trust and context.

This episode dives into the exhausting cycle of all-or-nothing thinking, second-guessing every bite, and feeling like one “wrong” food choice will derail everything. I walk you through how you’ve been trained to treat food like a morality test and why that thinking keeps us stuck. Instead, I introduce a sliding scale approach to eating that takes into account your body, your preferences, your goals, and your actual life. No more rigid food rules. No more shame spirals. Just nuance, curiosity, and choices that actually feel good.

You’ll also learn how to start practicing moderation without fear, break free from the perfectionist trap, and finally understand why your version of healthy might not look like anyone else’s. Whether you're curious about fat-free yogurt or those TikTok-famous butter dates, this episode will give you permission to trust yourself, ditch the food drama, and build a flexible, sustainable approach to eating that truly works for you.

Plus, don’t miss the free guide mentioned at the end; it's a practical resource to start creating your own personalized, non-restrictive food framework today.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/225

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• Why the question “Is this healthy?” might be sabotaging your progress… and what to ask instead to make food choices with confidence and clarity.

• How to shift from all-or-nothing thinking to a more flexible, sustainable approach to eating using my simple “Three Food Buckets” framework.

• How to rebuild self-trust around food so you can stop second-guessing yourself, enjoy what you eat, and make empowered choices that align with your body and life.