Eating to achieve one’s health goals is simple in that if we want to lose weight, we need to burn more calories than we eat (and vice versa if we want to bulk up and build muscle). But genetic, environmental, lifestyle, psychological and social factors can affect our individual nutritional needs making them more complex. And unlike the law, our food choices are not free from passion (sorry, Aristotle!).

“Flexible dieting” isn’t a diet; it’s a nutritional concept where you have a daily calorie and macronutrient (carbohydrate, protein and fat) target and as long as those specific numbers are achieved, then food selection is left up to your personal preference. Here’s the skinny on how it works.