What if that Taco Bell burrito shaved off a few months from your life? That, combined with a grilled cheese, a hamburger, ravioli, and french fries, would take off an entire year. Would you still eat it?
Would you still eat those foods often, not caring about shortening your life? Would you still eat them sometimes, if it shaved less than a year off your life? Or would you stop eating those foods completely, never eating them again?
Tell us in the poll below, and feel free to explain your reasoning in the comments. We’re curious to hear what you have to say.
Life is short. Eat dessert first.
So, where do you go from here. After fighting Cancer (kidney) and suffering a heart attack I have changed my eating habits. Low salt intake, no to low alcohol, limits for red meat, Eggs and many of my favorites. I would love a plate of biscuits and sausage gravy but alass it is a No. I have changed habits but only God knows the time of my end. I would say I am still in reasonably good health but I am one kidney strong and wear a pacemaker.
Last week eggs were bad for you this week they are good next week they will be bad. Coffee extends your life, coffee cuts your life by years. Who do you believe?
I always find it amusing when people boast how conscientious they are about what they eat, but then abuse their body doing daredevil acts and drive like lunatics.
At 80, I’ll probably double up on it, not sure I want to live in this screwed up world.
Living well is merely the slowest rate at which you can die. I have had friends who did everything right, ate well, exercised, stopped their bad habits, and then promptly dropped dead with no warning. My daughter did this at fifty. Instantly.
I also have friends who party like they’re the advance team for Bacchus, and they’re still with us in their seventies.
All things considered, it’s a lot of genetics, and a bit of luck. Eat what makes you happy, everything in moderation, and stop worrying about what you can’t control or anticipate.
Very good advice. Thanks, Marvin! And I knew a couple of people several years ago who really “cleaned up their act” and then died within a couple of months. You just never know. Take care, and stay healthy. 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
If you believe in the afterlife your destination and departure date have already been written so enjoy the life you have been given.
The Bible says our days are already numbered with God. Doesn’t mean I should be foolish, but it also says nothing I do can add a day to that. I guess I can only take away days? So all things in moderation is my rule.
I quit drinking, eating red meat, chasing women, and started exercising a lot. Now my doctor said I’ll probably live to be 100.
Then a friend said to me “Why would you want to”.
😆 —Diane at RVtravel.com
I actually did that once. It was the worst 30 minutes of my life.
Well, you tried. You get an A for effort, Bob. 😆 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Adopting smart eating habits shouldn’t have to include a clause telling you to NEVER eat something again. The idea of deprivation is typically what causes folks to over indulge. I follow a very healthy eating plan but I love cake. I love cake a lot! I have a slice a few times a year. If that would result in a few weeks or months gone from life, the enjoyment I get from it would probably be a fair trade.
YOLO!
I’m a diabetic, so I already skip the bad foods, most anything with carbs and everything with sugars. And I do intermittent fast as well. My blood sugar (A1C) is normal. I want to keep my eyes and limbs, so it’s worth the “sacrifice”.
I’m with Ed K. At 73 we already have established healthy eating and exercise habits. We eat what we want and enjoy life!
My wife and I do not eat meat from four legged animals. Our cardiologist told us that. After four stents, (no heart attack) almost ten years ago and a very mild stroke last year, I’m sure that his suggestion saved my life or disability. We do eat seafood and poultry and would eat rattlesnake too. Do I miss a good ribeye or bacon cheeseburger? You bet I do, but I’m alive and able to miss them.
We too do not eat beef or pork and haven’t for many years. Two or maybe three times a year I will be very brave and indulge in an In-N-Out burger, but other times its seafood and poultry for us.
it’s a good thing you didnt ask “if answering weird question in polls would shorten your life by one year, would you still answer?”
😆 —Diane at RVtravel.com
The one constant from the day we are born, is we were born to die. So if I live to be 100 and I shave off one year I will have lived a very full 99 years. No guarantees on how long one will live. At my age I will no longer deny myself anything I might enjoy.
My favorite comfort food is peanut butter… “a day without peanut butter is a day not worth living”…However, when I want to try to drop a few pounds, I stop eating it, because I tend to eat it on a spoon out of the jar. I find that doing anything consistently for a few weeks helps to make a new habit, so after a short time, my craving for pb lessens. It’s generally easy to find another, tasty, less calories dense substitute. However, because my life doesn’t depend on never eating it again, I eventually succumb to the jars in the cabinet calling to me, weight loss or not.
Do this for your health, do that for your health. sometimes you have to wonder if it makes life worth living. As the old saying goes eat drink and be merry for tomorrow you may die
But if you don’t die old age may be a bitch. You will suffer physically, mentally, and financially for many years and probably be dependent on others. Is that how you want to live your twilight years?
Hi, Alan. That reminds me of something someone told me almost 50 years ago. He said, “I don’t want to die of old age.” That really threw me for a loop until I thought about it. (He didn’t, BTW.) Take care, and stay healthy. 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Diane, I’m 76 Workout with weights, Maintain a 5 acre yard, Repair furniture as a side business own rental property, drive all over the country with my motor home. My wife, who is older than me, participates in all my activities (works out but not with weights 😀) sees to it that we stay healthy by eating properly. Stay well. Life is good! … Alan
Thanks, Alan. I think what my friend was referring to was not wanting to die of the potential complications of old age, not just old age itself. It sure sounds like you and your wife are doing the right things to live a long and healthy life. Keep up the good work! 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
I understood. Always rejected that philosophy as it reminds me of the saying that worry is the interest you pay on a debt that may never come due. Your friend seems to be worrying about “potential complications of old age”. I prefer to deal with those obstacles when they occur, and I have had many in my life. There are people who have done great good for mankind while under tremendous physical handicap. I admired people like that they have made the world a much better place, Stay healthy. …Alan
I agree 100%, Alan. Thank you for the wise words. 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
I am 70 so I want to enjoy my remaining time here on Earth so I will eat what I want in moderation.