Another Monday rolls around…BOGO pizzas? Count me in for a pepperoni and buffalo chicken, please. Tuesday…gotta grab half-off tacos and a margarita at the local Mexican spot. Wednesday…no way I’m missing 50-cent wing night (or whatever currency you English lads and ladies use over there,) and you better believe each wing gets its own ranch container. It’s easy to get stuck in the habit of eating out for every meal and always looking to grab the quick fix. It’s convenient and delicious. Unfortunately, we all know it affects our health negatively.

Cancer, high blood pressure, GERD, stroke, diabetes, heart disease, are all more likely in individuals with poor diets. Luckily, we are all still young, spry NFT degenerates, and all of those diseases are years away - if they ever come. Unfortunately, that also means it’s hard to notice the long-term impact your eating habits have. One thing that you CAN get immediate satisfaction from, when improving your diet, is a healthier mind; your mood will be better at baseline, your energy will be higher, your decision-making will be sharper. That’s right, eating healthy just might help you get that top score in Dookie Dash.

Some tips to slowly introduce healthier eating habits:

• Grocery shop for foods on the outside of the store - fruits, vegetables, meat, beans, grains. A good rule of thumb is aim to eat food that is in the same form that it was in when taken from the earth.
• When you do eat out, try to eat one less taco and see how you feel. You might just realize that you’re actually pretty satisfied.
• Eat slowly and chew food until it’s mush (sorry). This lets your saliva start breaking down your food for your body and brain to use more efficiently. Say goodbye to acid reflux and bloat too.
• Eat mindfully. Turn off the computer and the tv for a meal. Really observe how your food looks, tastes, smells, feels. Take time to appreciate the ingredients, and the process it took to get on your plate to bless you with nourishment.

You get out what you put in. Give it a try. You might even find that you save some money in the process!