Next time you’re eyeing that fast-food drive-thru, pause for a moment and consider this: “Sure, this meal might taste good for a few fleeting minutes, but what happens after that?” The reality is, there will likely be health consequences, whether it’s the excess fat, sky-high sodium, or heavy carbs. It’s junk food, after all; what else could you expect?
Instead, consider a trade-off that offers a lifetime of returns. For the same $10-$15 you’d spend on an unhealthy meal, you could invest in a used book (or several!) from an online marketplace like Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji. You’ll discover incredible titles for a fraction of their new price.
Once that book is in your hands, imagine the knowledge you’ll gain and how you can apply it to your life, career, relationships, and other areas for years, even decades, to come. You could enjoy a Big Mac meal for a few minutes and potentially suffer long-term health consequences, or you could forgo that fleeting pleasure for the lasting intellectual nourishment and clear long-term benefits of a good book.
This isn’t to say every craving for fast food should lead to a book purchase. However, if you find yourself frequently opting for unhealthy fast-food choices, it’s worth considering this alternative. Making this small, conscious trade-off can significantly contribute to a healthier, more successful, and wiser future.