Pizza Hut, Never
Hear me out—I know it’s shocking to read those words. It certainly was to me when my partner said them. We were still in bed, looking out over the Chicago skyline, basking in the sunlight filtering through the windows. The view included Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, but in the foreground were a slew of chain restaurants: Rainforest Café, McDonald’s, Lou Malnati’s (a pizza chain famous for Chicago-style deep dish), and, of course, Pizza Hut. Then he said it: "You know, for some people, Pizza Hut, never."
I looked at him incredulously. “Really? Never?”
“Nope. Never.”
It was such a foreign concept to me. Sure, I hadn’t been to McDonald’s in years, but Pizza Hut? Come on. But then I stopped and thought about it. He had a point. What’s the real difference between Pizza Hut and McDonald’s? Both serve quick, high-fat, high-carb, unhealthy food. The only reason I thought Pizza Hut was superior was my own bias. It took me a while to admit it, but I eventually came around.
As I continued on my journey toward better eating, that conversation stuck with me. Now, I’ve fully embraced the mindset: Pizza Hut, never. Just like tequila shots, never. When I’m making food choices, I ask myself: Would I do a shot of tequila? No—because I know how negatively alcohol affects my body. So why would I willingly eat food with equally harmful consequences?
When we focus on health and start making changes, we have to confront these biases. Why did I think one type of fast food was better than another when they’re all bad for me? The good news is that once you start eating healthy and feel the changes in your body, mind, and energy levels, saying Pizza Hut, never becomes easy.
Now, let me clarify: I’m not saying pizza, never (I’m not a monster). But pizza becomes more of an occasional treat—like cake. Cake is delicious, but it’s not an everyday thing, and homemade cake is miles better than store-bought. The same goes for pizza. You can make a healthier version at home, loaded with extra veggies, quality protein, and plant-based cheese. Pair it with a side salad, and you’ve got a balanced, satisfying meal.
Your body, mind, and future self will thank you for making the choice to say, “Yup, Pizza Hut, never.”
Cheers to being Green, Wild, and Free!
