The Best Diet: The Sustainable One

Every few months, a new “perfect” diet makes the rounds: low-carb, high-fat, plant-based, intermittent fasting, high-protein, carnivore, keto, Mediterranean... the list goes on. And with every trend, the same question resurfaces:

“What’s the best diet?”

The honest answer is less exciting than a bold new headline, but it’s far more effective.

The best diet is the one you can sustain.

There are general principles that benefit nearly everyone: eat more whole foods, get enough protein, limit ultra-processed options. But how your body processes food, and what foods make you feel and function best, can vary greatly. 

One big reason for that is your gut microbiome.

The gut is home to trillions of bacteria that help you digest food, absorb nutrients, regulate appetite, reduce inflammation, and even influence your mood. And just like fingerprints, everyone’s gut microbiome is unique.

What does that mean for your diet?

Some people feel better and perform better on a higher-carb diet. They digest foods like rice, oats, and fruit easily and use them well for energy. Others feel more satisfied and clear-headed on a higher-fat approach, relying more on foods like avocado, olive oil, nuts, and animal protein. Some tolerate things like dairy, gluten, and legumes perfectly fine. Others feel bloated, fatigued, or inflamed when they eat the same foods. Your genetics, environment, microbiome, and even your daily routine all shape your individual nutritional needs.

Whether someone succeeds with simply “eating more real food,” or builds around protein and leans more towards carbs over fats, or chooses grazing and snacking versus a couple large meals, the diets that create lasting results share one trait: they’re sustainable.

That means they’re enjoyable. If you hate every meal, it won’t last. They’re realistic. It fits into your work, family, training, and social life. They’re consistent. It’s something you can repeat, even on your busiest week. And they’re supportive. You feel fueled, not restricted. Energized, not drained.

You don’t need to follow a rigid set of rules to see progress. You just need a nutrition plan that supports your goals and feels doable for you.

Instead of chasing the latest trend or cutting out another food group, take a moment and ask: What foods make me feel focused, strong, and satisfied? What meals do I actually enjoy and look forward to eating? Can I see myself following this plan a month from now, or a year from now, or ten years from now?

If the answer is no, it’s probably not the right plan for you, no matter how trendy or “science-backed” it may seem. A plan that’s 80% great and 100% repeatable is more powerful than one that’s “perfect” for two weeks or two months, then collapses.

At Core, we believe in building nutrition plans that are flexible, functional, and personal. That means helping you find foods that work for your body and preferences, build balanced meals using whole, nutrient-dense foods, understand how food supports your training, recovery, and energy, and make changes that feel realistic and sustainable, not extreme.

Because the most effective nutrition plan isn’t the one that sounds the most impressive. It’s the one you can follow long enough to see results and feel good while doing it.

There is no universal “right way” to eat. But there is a right way for you. One that aligns with your body, your lifestyle, and your long-term goals. If you’re ready to make nutrition simple, enjoyable, and sustainable, we’re here to help you get started.

Sustainability > Perfection. Every time.