"We're All Gonna Die Eventually... Why Eat Healthy Along the Way?"

People often joke with me that, "They're going to die anyway," and so there's no reason to change their diet.

For a long time, I partially agreed with this theory. True, why not just eat tons of cookies, ice cream, pizza, and other stuff that tastes so good going down?

Isn't that truly seizing the day and living for the moment?What's the point of holding back when there's so much tasty food out there to eat? Aren't we all just going to die anyway, why not go down with a hamburger in hand?

Plus, it just tastes so good!

Well, here are a few thoughts:

1. Do you really live life to the fullest if you spend the last 20 years straddled with diseases?

If you don't know how diet affects risk for disease, click here.

2. Can you truly live life to the fullest when you are bogged down with extra weight and diseases?

Isn't it harder to walk, run, skydive, sightsee, zip-wire, dance, play with your children, love your partner, and generally enjoy life, when you are overweight?

Maybe you aren't overweight... Have you ever walked out of a steakhouse and felt totally stuffed and fatigued, like you had just run a marathon?

3. Isn't part of enjoying life having tons of energy and minimal pain? Yes, vegans do live longer and have fewer diseases along the way.

4. Wouldn't you rather live more years so that you can truly live life to the fullest?

Although I think it's a funny argument, people say it wistfully, as though they don't really believe that they are going to die younger from their habits. Unfortunately, they are truly deciding right there that having a steak is more important than living to see great-grandchildren.

It's hard to look at each choice you make as a choice for your future, but it truly is. The compounding of each correct daily diet choice gives you more time to spend with loved ones. That's why eat healthy.

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