Five Wellness Habits to Stop in 2026 (and Beyond)

The wellness and holistic health sphere has taken a wild direction since I moved in over 20 years ago. We’ve seen keto turn into carnivore; bio-hacking and cold plunging; Covid dividing the wellness industry; and most recently, the rise of the wellness “influencer” who typically has no formal education in health or nutrition.

This has stirred up controversy and confusion as these influencers make unfounded claims about expensive therapies or supplements that can be downright dangerous. Studies show a large share of health content on platforms like TikTok especially is misleading or lacks scientific basis. Around 44% of health videos contain non-factual information, and unqualified creators often lead these narratives. (source)

I am deeply concerned, for example, about the long term effects of the popularized carnivore diet.

So as we step into a new year, it’s the perfect time to leave old habits and trends behind, especially the ones that keep us stuck in stress, guilt, or confusion around our health. As a holistic nutritionist, I see people putting immense pressure on themselves to do everything right, often in ways that don’t serve their unique bodies or minds.

And overly clean eating with restrictive diets creates orthorexia, the obsession with clean eating. I know because I’ve been there.

So with all this in mind, I decided to create a list of five things to stop doing this year (or at any time) and why letting them go can actually make your wellness journey more joyful and sustainable.

Stop These Five Wellness Habits

1. Stop Fearing Seed Oils

Seed oils are the one of the most controversial topics in the health and wellness sphere, especially with RFK and MAHA. I have written extensively about it here.

Seed oils like sunflower, safflower, and canola have been demonized in wellness circles for years. I was so terrified of canola at one point in my early career that I would stress about scouring labels and avoided consuming any food with vegetable or canola (which is of course impossible when you go out to eat).

The rationale is that because seeds oils are highly processed and high in omega 6 fatty acids (which can be inflammatory if over consumed), they are inherently inflammatory and may contribute to cardiovascular disease and even weight gain. The science is a bit mixed but mostly debunks this, actually proving that those who consumed more seed oils had lower risk of heart disease.

While I still recommend olive and avocado oil as primary cooking oils because they are superior in terms of health benefits, vegetable oils aren’t inherently harmful in moderation. While I do not cook with or use any vegetable oils at home, I don’t stress like I once did if they’re in a store-bought salad dressing or the Whole Foods hot bar.

Instead of avoiding foods out of fear or hype, focus on balance, variety, and enjoying your meals. I found my fear of seed oils actually increased my overall stress.

2. Clean Eating: Stop Turning Nutrition into a Moral Hierarchy

“Clean” vs. “dirty,” “good” vs. “bad” to describe foods really irks me. We’ve all heard these terms, and of course clean eating, meaning avoiding any packaged/processed foods and consuming only whole foods, has become a huge trend in wellness.

But remember, food isn’t inherently good or bad; it’s just food. Food is fuel. Clean eating turns food into a morality issue. Words like clean, pure, junk, and bad imply that eating certain foods makes you “good” while eating other foods makes you bad, dirty, or undisciplined.

Also, clean has no real definition. Is sugar always unclean? Fruit has sugar. Is processed food unclean? Yogurt is processed. So is ground beef. Do you think it comes out of the cow nicely ground up?

Clean eating encourages all or nothing thinking. Once food is labeled bad, eating it can trigger guilt or shame. I personally still struggle with guilt around certain foods. That shame can lead to overeating which then causes a swing back to restriction. Then rinse and repeat. This pattern is strongly linked to disordered eating, even in people who “just want to be healthy.”

It’s the moral layer that causes harm. And the orthorexic instagram clean eating trends come off as elitist: Not everyone can afford to exclusively buy organic. And for that matter, does eating an Oreo make you bad?

Some foods certainly pack a better nutritional punch than others, but I don’t believe in “bad” food. I mean, do I largely avoid Cheetos and candy bars? Of course. But they’re tasty and I will on occasion eat them. Not anywhere near regularly, but nothing is 100% off limits. Except maybe Takis, gross.

Instead of good vs bad food, think in terms of nutrient dense vs less nutrient dense. You want to prioritize nutrient dense options to nourish your body, and save the less nutrient dense options for “fun” or as occasional treats.

Nutrition isn’t a measure of your character, and slip-ups don’t erase your progress. Every choice is just data for learning what makes you feel your best.

3. Stop Expecting Healing to Feel Linear

Health isn’t a straight path. Some weeks you’ll feel amazing, other weeks not so much. That’s perfectly normal. In fact, it’s a perfectly normal part of being a human. Some days are better than others.

Healing isn’t linear; this is a talk I have with all my clients who may feel blindsided or like they’ve failed if they have a backslide. NO! That is a completely normal (and humbling) part of the process.

Healing often shows up in unexpected ways. Patience, consistency, and self-compassion are far more effective than chasing a perfectly linear transformation. Sometimes the process feels like one step forward and two back, but it doesn’t stay the same. We are dynamic creatures, always changing. Don’t get discouraged. Stick with it even when it feels impossible, and you’ll reap the rewards!

4. Stop Believing in a Magic Bullet

No single supplement, diet, or routine is going to fix everything. Wellness is cumulative. It’s about how sleep, stress, movement, nutrition, and mindset all work together. It’s human nature to want a magic pill, and the supplement industry is invested in selling you that. But it just doesn’t work that way.

Instead of hunting for shortcuts, invest in small, consistent habits that actually move the needle for your body and mind.

5. Stop Copying Someone Else’s Wellness Routine

This is a big one. I have been discussing this with my clients prior to the dawn of the wellness influencer. Your body is uniquely you. What works for your favorite wellness influencer may not work for you, and trying to force it often leads to frustration.

I distinctly remember when the paleo fad hit (remember that?). I was in a session with a new client who lamented that her neighbor had lost 40 pounds doing paleo while she… gained 10. I explained to her that we are each biochemically different, and there is never a one size fits all approach with diet. What works for your neighbor may not work–and may even backfire–for you. Diet guidelines are just that: guidelines. Adjust to work with your unique physiology. Seek help if you need guidance!

Take inspiration from social media, sure, but customize your wellness routine to fit your needs, preferences, and lifestyle. That’s where real, lasting results happen.

Final Thoughts

The wellness space can feel confusing, overwhelming, and exclusionary. Letting go of these five patterns in 2026 (or anytime) doesn’t just improve your nutrition; it frees you to approach health with curiosity, confidence, and individuality. This year, focus less on perfection and more on what actually makes you personally feel nourished and empowered.

Here’s to a year of smarter choices, fewer rules, and more self compassion!