Chapter 9: Health

This is where the brainwashing is most deeply rooted when it comes to poor nutrition. Many people, particularly the young and single, think they’re aware of the risks of bad eating habits but aren’t. Worse, they convince themselves they’re willing to accept the consequences. But consider this: if every time you ordered a burger and fries, a warning flashed saying, “Up until now you’ve gotten away with it, but one more meal like this and you’ll trigger irreversible heart damage,” would you still eat it? Probably not. Yet the reality is that each unhealthy meal nudges you closer to long-term damage, and we continue as if it won’t happen to us.

Poor nutrition is a silent, insidious killer that thrives on denial. People can’t allow themselves to think about the consequences because doing so might spoil their temporary enjoyment. This is why shock campaigns about obesity and heart disease often fail; they work on those who are already motivated, but they rarely break through to people who are still deeply entrenched in their unhealthy habits.

9.1 The Blissful Ignorance of Youth

Many young people dismiss the risks of poor nutrition because their bodies are still resilient. “I feel fine now, so what’s the harm?” they think. But the truth is that bad eating habits don’t usually cause immediate harm; instead, they quietly erode your health over years. By the time the damage becomes visible — in the form of obesity, diabetes, or chronic fatigue — the habits are deeply ingrained, and reversing them feels overwhelming.

The consequences are cumulative. Like rust on a car, a single junk meal doesn’t seem like a big deal, but over time, it corrodes your body from the inside. Imagine neglecting maintenance on a car. Eventually, it would stop running altogether. But unlike a car, you can’t trade your body for a new one.

9.2 Common Excuses for Bad Nutrition

Here are some of the most common justifications people use to avoid changing their eating habits — and why they don’t hold up:

“I don’t have time to cook.”
This is often a mindset issue. Cooking doesn’t have to be time-consuming. A healthy meal can be prepared in under 30 minutes, often faster than waiting for a delivery or driving to a fast-food joint.
“Healthy food is too expensive.”
Processed foods may seem cheaper at first glance, but the long-term costs — medical bills, lost productivity, and reduced quality of life — are far greater. Buying fresh ingredients in bulk or focusing on simple, whole foods can be surprisingly affordable.
“I’ll start eating better when things settle down.”
Life is always busy. Waiting for the perfect time to make changes means waiting forever. Start small — swap one unhealthy snack for a healthy one, or drink water instead of sugary drinks.

9.3 The Chain Reaction of Bad Nutrition

Every unhealthy meal reinforces the cycle of poor eating habits. Processed foods high in sugar, fat, and salt hijack your brain’s reward system, flooding it with dopamine and creating cravings for more. This supernormal stimulus is far stronger than what natural foods provide, making it harder for your body to feel satisfied with healthy options.

Each time you give in to these cravings, you strengthen the neural pathways that make junk food your default choice. Over time, your brain becomes less responsive to natural foods, requiring more extreme flavors to achieve the same level of satisfaction. This cycle leads to overeating, obesity, and a host of related health issues.

9.4 The Black Shadows of Poor Nutrition

Bad nutrition doesn’t just affect your physical health — it casts long shadows over your mental and emotional well-being. It’s harder to feel confident or energized when you’re weighed down by poor dietary choices. Chronic fatigue, irritability, and brain fog become the norm, robbing you of the joy and vitality you deserve.

Imagine waking up every day feeling sluggish, unable to focus, and dreading the simplest tasks. Now imagine the opposite: waking up with energy, clarity, and enthusiasm for life. The difference? Good nutrition.

9.5 It’s Not Too Late to Change

The beauty of your body is its ability to heal and adapt. By making better choices today, you can reverse much of the damage caused by years of poor nutrition. Your cells will thank you, your energy will return, and your mind will clear.

Start small. Replace sugary snacks with fruits or nuts. Drink water instead of soda. Cook one more meal at home this week. Over time, these small changes will add up, breaking the cycle of poor eating and paving the way for a healthier, happier you.

You don’t have to continue being a slave to unhealthy habits. The rewards of good nutrition far outweigh the fleeting pleasures of junk food. Take the first step today.