18 May 2026

My good friend Amy introduced me to the Daily Stoic podcast. I, personally, didn’t listen to it; on our walks, she would share the insights gleaned. But once she passed, I started listening for myself. To be honest, in some small way, it helps me come to grips with her untimely death. I am so grateful to her for sharing this wisdom.

In an episode last week on the topic of AI, Ryan (the host) mentioned the importance of monitoring your information diet (this is something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately, but not what I want to discuss today). What we eat forms the basis of our being. We consume not just macro [protein, fat, carbohydrate] and micro [vitamins, minerals] nutrients, but whole foods - each a conglomeration of all the resources that support its existence.

That means our food quality is based upon the nutrient density of the soil, adequacy of water, labor, microbes and more…all the things that took part in its creation. And once we eat it, it becomes a part of us. Literally, you are what you eat. What we consume is intertwined with who we are. Choosing mindfully can reflect our priorities, values, physical and emotional needs.

Here are some other lessons from the Stoics that make us better:

Don’t be satisfied with just getting the gist of things (a little knowledge is a dangerous thing). We’re bombarded with nutrition information and disinformation every day. The lesson is to go beyond face value, and seek the expert (not ChatGPT) to research thoroughly before making an educated judgement.

Refrain from having an opinion about everything. Use the power to have no opinion. The average person does not need to join Team Seed Oil or Team Butter. Strong opinions often outpace true understanding.

Accept uncertainty. A know-it-all loses curiosity and can’t learn more. In the nutrition world, if someone expresses certainty about a specific outcome for a specific diet, that’s a red flag. Science is constantly evolving and our understanding is based on the predominance of data, not a surefire result.

Each day, try to acquire something that fortifies you against poverty, death, misfortune. One small step at a time, building healthy habits is a matter of consistency, not intensity. Whether it’s trying a new vegetable or doing ten pushups when you get out of bed each day, just keep doing it.

The books don’t change, but we do. Those who study the writings of the stoics know that meanings change or expand, depending on where they are. Diet can also have a varied impact on an individual, based on physical and emotional state, food combinations and other factors. Often our first impressions are wrong. Keeping an open mind ensures we don’t unnecessarily avoid foods that may be helpful to us.

If you want a smooth flow of life, live according to nature. Our ecosystem finds equilibrium; the parts work together. When we choose foods closer to their natural whole state, it helps nourish our bodies. When we try to override nature with ultra-processed foods, the results are rarely as nutritious. Respect for nature is integral to a calm and healthful life.

A big stoic theme is to stay grounded by focusing on what’s good in the long run. Marcus Aurelius was probably the most powerful man of his time, yet his Meditations demonstrate he spent thoughtful hours seeking self improvement. The stoics were not detached as detractors tried to paint them, but rather focused on the most important, impactful and awe-some things in life.

Maybe that’s what both Stoicism and good nutrition ultimately ask of us: to pay closer attention to what truly sustains us. Not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Amy understood that long before I did. I’m still learning.