Perfectionism in eating is a trap: it demands too much, creates stress, and sets up inevitable failure that triggers abandonment. Research by Baumeister on decision fatigue shows perfect tracking depletes cognitive resources. You don’t need perfect eating—you need sustainable eating. Find the 20% of changes that produce 80% of results (stop snacking, reduce processed food, don’t eat late, prioritize protein, stop when satisfied) and let the rest go.
This companion covers the perfectionism pattern, why it fails, the 80/20 of eating, what to let go, redefining success, and the simplification question. (4 min read)