An "Imperfect" Specimen of a Nutritionist Preface for my New Book: Yummy Nutrition

Before writing this book, I gave a lot of thought to one question: If a reader were to stumble upon this nutrition book in a bookstore, would they subconsciously expect the author to be a "role model"? Someone with a standard physique, a disciplined lifestyle, who automatically chooses healthy meals every day without a second thought?

If that’s the case, I’m afraid I might have to disappoint you.

Because the nutritionist standing before you is closer to a "typical human specimen" than a "textbook diagram." When it comes to my weight, I maintain a polite but firm distance from the "ideal" number. My family’s history of health indicators is always lurking in the background. And as for the little reminders my body gives me, they occasionally manifest in rather direct ways.

To put it bluntly—I am imperfect, and that’s not a surprise to anyone.

I love food. This fact hasn’t changed since the day I decided to study nutrition. Some people study nutrition to become more self-disciplined; I studied it to figure out how to eat happily without being "bitten back" by life too soon.

Later, I realized this is a high-difficulty, long-term project. Honestly, I wasn’t this candid from the start. For a few years, I maintained a subtle sense of detachment toward physical check-ups. It wasn’t that I didn’t care; it was that I cared too much. It wasn’t that I didn't understand; it was that I understood just enough to make me overthink everything.

Do you know that feeling? Knowing it’s better to face reality, yet thinking: "Let’s wait just a little longer."

As it turns out, time flies much faster than you’d imagine.

But nutrition has a very practical benefit—it won’t automatically make you perfect, but it will help you realize sooner when it’s time to "wake up."

I know very well that if I knew nothing about nutrition, my life would likely feel much "easier." Easier to keep procrastinating, easier to keep ignoring things, and easier to keep telling myself, "I’ll deal with it later." But because I know a thing or two, I also understand: What truly matters is never "getting it right in one go," but rather having the ability to slowly adjust your course after you’ve drifted off track.

This is why, since 2009, I’ve been writing nutrition articles on Facebook. Initially, I just wanted to translate those overly serious, intimidating concepts into "human language." As I wrote, I realized that everyone’s problems are remarkably similar—it’s not a lack of knowledge, it’s that life is just too busy, too exhausting, and too real.

Many people assume a nutritionist’s life should be a high-discipline, zero-error version of reality. But in fact, we are simply more aware of which things we can't afford to keep ignoring. We get greedy for food, too; we slack off, too. It’s just that instead of chasing perfection, we have a better sense of when to make adjustments.

So, this is not a book that demands you immediately become a "poster child for healthy eating." It’s more like a collection of life observations, grounded in a professional background, seasoned with a dash of humor. You won’t find perfect examples here, but you might find many moments where you think: "Wait, isn’t this me?"

I didn’t write this book standing at the finish line. I’m just standing at a spot further along the road where I’ve learned to take fewer detours. Today, I eat a little better; tomorrow, I take a little more care of myself; the day after, I keep going.

To me, nutrition has never been a set of rules used to restrain people; it is a way to help you reduce "self-attrition" in real life. It’s not about turning you into someone else—it’s about helping you continue to be yourself in a smarter, less harsh way.

If you smile at a certain page in this book, that’s great. If, after smiling, you suddenly feel less strict with yourself, that’s even better. This book isn't here to monitor you; it’s here to walk with you and acknowledge that life is inherently imperfect.

I am still learning how to get along with food, my body, and life. I haven’t lived out the "standard answer" to nutrition, but I am certain of one thing: I know better than before how to make better choices for myself.

And if you’re willing, this book can accompany you, too—moving away from the need to be perfect, toward progressing just a little bit every day.