So, a drone just delivered a food order in Ireland in under 3 minutes. Just Eat and Manna teamed up to make it happen. Snack on that.

Drone delivery will be the future—once we figure out the correct altitude and path for all those drones to be flying around. Airspace is about to become a valuable commodity, just like airlines buying routes to their preferred destinations. But here’s the kicker: soon, you’ll be able to order Wendy’s, McDonald’s, or whatever fast food joint has partnered with a drone service, and it’ll land on your doorstep in about 5 minutes.

Yeah, you won’t have to get up off the couch, put on your jacket (if you live in cold weather), or find your shoes, wallet, car keys, or phone. You’ll become a sucker for food delivered in a flash. But is it worth it?

We all know fast food is bad for you. Morgan Spurlock was one of the first to document what eating McDonald’s for a month looked like. It’s not pretty. He gained weight, ate processed junk with zero nutritional value, and it sparked a global conversation about the fast food industry. He died at 53 from cancer. Let that sink in.

Now, you have choices in life. But the beauty of it is that you get to make decisions. Decisions are choices that take other options off the table.

I have a choice: eat fast food or make a meal. I make the decision to not pick up my phone and order fast food.

The Gut-Brain Connection: Your Second Brain Is Hungry

I recently had the chance to speak to someone about the gut-brain connection, and it’s fascinating. As the wellness industry is in full swing—with Medicine 3.0, longevity trends, cold plunges, infrared saunas, NAD supplements, and Botox—there are simple things we can all do that don’t require a fancy gym membership or a trip to a top-rated dermatologist.

Eat well. Yes, I said it. Start eating better. Start making better decisions.

No one likes to think about what they’ll look or feel like in 10 years. Certainly, the 20-year-old version of me wasn’t thinking about alcohol consumption and what it would do to my liver, kidneys, overall health, and mental well-being. Back then, there was no thought—you just assumed you’d stop eventually. Maybe that day never came. Here’s your wake-up call.

The stuff you put in your body—the shell that allows you to experience all the joys in your life—has a time limit. The tubes, hoses, pumps, lubricants, and foundation all have a lifespan. Just like any machine.

So why aren’t we being taught to take care of it?

We aren’t taught about preventative health. When was the last time someone asked if you were getting your daily dose of Vitamin D? Yes, it comes from the sun, but it’s certainly not enough unless you’re chugging a gallon of milk. And even that won’t help guard against osteoporosis if everything else isn’t functioning in tip-top shape—which, let’s be honest, it probably isn’t.

Gut and Brain Health: The Second Brain

There’s increasing evidence that your gut, containing 40 trillion microbes, has a nervous system of its own. Wild, right? It’s like a second brain.

Your gut is doing a lot of the work for you. You can’t feel it, but you can sense it—bloating, hunger, or that delightful borborygmi (aka gas bubbles, and yes, it’s one of my favorite words).

There’s continued interest in treating gut disorders through hypnotherapy, neuromodulators, diaphragmatic exercises, and even pelvic floor therapy. Sometimes, you’re even put on an antidepressant because of its influence on gut receptors. Your gut is a complex system all on its own, and it talks to your brain.

Don’t you think it’s weird that you feel happy after eating a meal you’ve been craving? Or sleepy after overeating? Yeah, that’s your gut talking to your brain, releasing hormones and neurotransmitters that signal emotions and moods. It’s known that people who suffer from chronic intestinal issues are more prone to anxiety and depression.

So, with all this ongoing research, and the fact that no one is explaining why you should eat better, here’s your reason: your gut and brain are counting on you.

What You Can Do About It

Start small. I already talked about cutting out soda. That sugar high isn’t worth the crash.

Here’s another small step: start cooking at home more. Now, I know—you don’t have time, you don’t have energy, it’s so hard. Guess what? So is being overweight, having diabetes, dealing with high blood pressure, getting up to go to the store for your pills, taking your pills, paying for your pills, going to the doctor’s office, and getting your toes amputated. That shit is hard too.

When you say no to fried food at a party and someone asks why you aren’t eating it, you can say, “I’m being healthy.” You know why they’re really asking? Because they’re only thinking about themselves and wondering if they should be avoiding it too. Avoidance has a way of reflecting on others, and trust me, everyone is only thinking about themselves.

So, back to meals. Get an air fryer. Cook five chicken breasts for the week. Add vegetables. Add a starch (rice is better than a potato, and a sweet potato is even better).

Yes, your meals will feel bland at first. That’s because the food industry has chemically altered everything to be addictive. They’re targeting your brain’s reward system, not your gut. It’s why you keep craving more.

One week of bland eating will suck, but you’ll find alternatives. Try baked eggplant salad or a whole cauliflower with Parmesan sprinkled on top. Delicious.

Supercharge Your Diet: Chia Seeds and Blueberries

Want to take your health a step further? Add chia seeds and blueberries.

Chia seeds are packed with goodness. Just 1 ounce (28 grams or 2 tablespoons) contains:

• Calories: 138
• Protein: 4.7g
• Fat: 8.7g
• Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA): 5g
• Carbs: 11.9g
• Fiber: 9.8g
• Calcium: 14% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Iron: 12% of the DV
• Magnesium: 23% of the DV
• Phosphorus: 20% of the DV
• Zinc: 12% of the DV
• Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 15% of the DV
• Vitamin B3 (niacin): 16% of the DV

Your gut will thank you, and so will your bowel movements.

Blueberries are antioxidant powerhouses. A single cup (148 grams) contains:

• Calories: 84
• Fat: 0.5g
• Sodium: 1.5mg
• Carbohydrates: 21g
• Fiber: 3.6g
• Sugars: 15g
• Protein: 1g
• Vitamin C: 14.4mg
• Vitamin E: 0.8mg
• Vitamin K: 28.6mcg
• Vitamin B6: 0.1mg

Toss them in your yogurt, smoothie, or just eat them by the handful.

The Math of Eating Healthy

A homemade tuna salad sandwich on whole wheat bread might sound bland, but compare it to a $16 salad (mostly water) five days a week. That’s $80 spent on lunches that could stretch way further at the supermarket.

And let’s talk about frozen veggies. They’re often more nutritious than fresh because they’re flash-frozen at peak ripeness. Stock up on $2 broccoli packets—it beats an $18 McDonald’s meal any day.

The Hard Truth

If you keep eating crap, you’ll keep feeling like crap. Your body is a machine: garbage in, garbage out. Feed ChatGPT a poorly written prompt, and it’ll spit out generic garbage. But give it clear, thoughtful instructions, and you’ll get quality work.

If you’re okay with losing a toe to diabetes, let me drop a 50-pound weight on it so you can experience the joy of learning to walk again. Daily bandage changes, infections, and physical therapy aren’t fun. Trust me, I’ve seen it.

Choices vs. Decisions

Choices are options. Decisions leave no room for alternatives.

Start small. Cut out fast food. Cook at home. Add chia seeds and blueberries. Your gut, brain, and future self will thank you.

You got this.