RE: The Junk Food Diet

Yes! 100% this. While situation in Europe isn't as bad yet, it's definitely getting there the more we gentrify and adopt all the crap fast food chains and brands over here. Just cooking yourself (or at least eating something that was made fresh without being frozen, preservative-heavy, etc.) is a huge game-changer for your health. I'm glad you're finding the diet there is agreeing with you! Westernized cultures have a very fucked-up idea about a healthy diet (i.e. lots of working out and veggies, exactly what you said). Not it at all. Fruit and veggie are great, but not nearly the super-trick we tend to think they are. Like there's a small handful of truly good stuff like avocado, but honestly, a carrot won't do such a big difference. The traditional 5 a day don't really get you anywhere near to a healthy diet either. Fresh, organic ingredients, ditching ultra-processed foods and eating some of the really healthy stuff (like avos, berries, etc.) means a more balanced, more indulgent diet and better health.

PS: red meat and olive oil are actually quite backed by studies for having loads of benefits for your brain health (and general health, really). :D

So again, glad this diet shift is working out for you! It's sometimes tricky adapting to a different diet :D Hugs.