Think your healthy diet covers everything? Even with the best eating habits, it’s easy to miss key nutrients. Here’s a look at why those gaps happen—and how simple changes can make a big difference.

Doing Everything ‘Right’—But Is Healthy Eating Enough?
is healthy eating enough, nutrient gaps in diet

At 21, I was hit with a diagnosis I never saw coming: Stage 4 colon cancer. Growing up on fresh, home-cooked meals with minimal processed junk, I thought I was doing everything “right.” So how could this happen when I believed my healthy diet gave me everything I needed?

That question sent me searching for answers. Could it be that even the best diets don’t give our bodies everything they need to thrive? And if that’s true, what role do supplements really play? It’s something more of us need to think about—and definitely worth a closer look.

Are You Getting All the Nutrients You Need?nutrient gaps in diet, do I need supplements, importance of supplements

Seeing that statistic—90% of Americans are missing key nutrients^[1]—made it impossible to ignore: most of us, even with healthy eating, aren’t getting everything we need. It was unsettling to realize that, despite my best efforts, I might still be falling short—and I wasn’t alone.

The more I dug into this, the more it became clear: food alone doesn’t always give our bodies everything they need to thrive.

That realization shifted how I think about health. Supplements became a non-negotiable—and here’s why.

Balanced diets are crucial, but modern eating habits come with some serious gaps. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is known for missing key nutrients, but even those who focus on fresh foods can fall short.

• 80% of us don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, which means we’re often missing essential vitamins and minerals.
• Nearly half don’t get enough whole grains, healthy fats, or protein—all essential for overall balance and energy.

And it’s not just about what we eat but where it comes from. Soil depletion has reduced the nutrient quality of produce, so today’s fruits and veggies don’t pack the same punch they once did.^[2]

While a solid diet is always the goal, supplements can help cover those gaps, especially when you consider a few realities we face every day:

• Life’s pace and stress drive up our need for nutrients. Between the late nights, screen time, and the constant juggling act of special needs parenting, there are days when our bodies could use a little extra support.
• Our nutrient needs change as we grow. From kids to adults and beyond, supplements help us keep up with each life stage.
• Environmental toxins add extra demands. Supplements can give us a cleaner, more concentrated source of nutrients to help offset these hidden stressors.

Having this consistent support has helped me feel more balanced, even on the most chaotic days.

personalized nutrition, importance of supplements

One unexpected finding was that our bodies have unique nutrient needs based on more than just what we eat. Genetics, health conditions, and even long-term stress can all play a role in what your body might need more of.

For me, discovering certain cancer markers shifted my approach to supplementation. It helped me stop guessing and start using a more personalized strategy—focusing on the nutrients that actually supported my body’s deeper needs.

Not everyone needs the same nutrients—and most of us don’t realize how personal it really is. That’s why a more tailored approach to supplementation can make all the difference.

When you’re dealing with health challenges—whether it’s catching a bug, feeling run down, or particularly stressful seasons—your body often needs more support than usual. I’ve found that specific nutrients like vitamins C and D, zinc, and protein can be vital during these times. They help reinforce immunity, aid recovery, and strengthen cellular health, giving your body the extra support it needs to bounce back.

While eating well is always the goal, knowing I’m covered with essential nutrients has kept me steady and resilient. Adding these targeted supplements gives me peace of mind, knowing my health has a bit more of a safety net when things get tough.

I’ll be sharing more insights soon, including some hidden risks in cheaper supplements and what to watch out for, so stay tuned!