There is an enormous cultural focus right now on optimizing health, nutrition, and fitness. But what does optimization actually mean?

If you spend any time online, optimization is often framed as a specific set of behaviors: expensive supplements, rigid diets, highly structured fitness routines, continuous tracking, and an ever-growing list of “rules” to follow. These approaches are heavily marketed as the gold standard for health. Unfortunately, they also tend to come with a high financial cost and are often inaccessible to large portions of the population—particularly individuals managing chronic health conditions, living in areas with limited resources, or struggling to afford basic necessities due to the rising cost of living. If these are things you are willing to do and CAN do, there’s nothing wrong with that. It can become an issue if you expect everyone to adapt to the same approach.

Want to read more? Check out my Substack:

https://complexdietitian.substack.com/p/a-more-realistic-take-on-health-optimization

Why is this important?

As a masters-level dietitian involved in research on this very topic – the data is clear. We need to stop pretending that rigid rules, expensive supplements, excessive weights/cardio and timely protocols are the answer for all.

Thanks for reading,

Crystal McLean, MS RD LDN

Community Nutrition Clinic Director

Owner, Thrive Performance and Nutrition LLC