It's been over a year since I started taking my health seriously. Losing weight was the first goal. Recently I started looking further ahead: how can I reduce my chances of getting a life-threatening disease?

The book that changed my thinking

I started listening to How Not to Die by Dr. Michael Greger. The book makes the case that a diet built on whole, plant-based foods can help lower the risk of many of the leading causes of death and help you live a longer, healthier life. Would you believe me if I told you a big part of the answer is that simple?

What it means for me

I'm no doctor, and this isn't medical advice. But the idea clicked with what I'd already learned this past year: the more whole foods I eat, the better I feel. So I decided to push it further and focus on a whole food, plant-based diet, with exceptions for pizza and burger reviews.

Small changes add up

You don't have to flip your whole diet overnight. Add more vegetables, fruits, beans, lentils and whole grains. Swap one meal a day. See how you feel. Good decisions lead to more good decisions.

Watch this week's episode to hear what I learned and what I'm changing. And if you've read the book or tried eating more plant-based, let me know how it went for you.

Joe is not a doctor or a dietitian. This is his personal journey. Talk to your healthcare provider before making big changes to your diet or exercise.