If I were to write a book on the role of nutrition in health and disease, it would be short.

Chapter 1: Sugar is not healthy. The end.

Of course, I will never write this book because no one would ever want to read it. But, I will write a post about it. Why? Because sugar is my battle of choice. In an attempt to CTFD, I have identified sugar as a necessary fight.

I love sugar and it’s a daily challenge to keep it at a healthy distance. I suspect I am not the only one out there with this relationship with sugar. It’s such a good friend and always there when I need it. Hello?

And therein lies the problem. It’s everywhere! It’s always an obstacle to surmount. Sugar is added to sweet potato fries, salad dressings, ketchup, chips, soy milk, almond milk, hemp milk, sushi, smoked salmon, BBQ chicken, bread, yogurt, dried cranberries, juice, tea….oh, about 80% of our food supply. And then, there’s the obvious culprits: soda, ice cream, donuts, cake, M&M’s, etc.

It’s hard to CTFD when I’m all hyped on sugar. 

Ironically, along with the rest of the American population, I have met my match with sugar. It has done some serious hurt. With heavy heart, 4 months ago, I began to follow a sugar-free diet to address health issues. Yes, no sugar. Did I say no sugar? Because I mean no cane sugar and no molasses, dates, honey, low glycemic coconut sugar, agave nectar, rice syrup…sugar.

I will save you the gory details for another day. It’s still a work in process!

And so I have chosen my battle. If sugar consumption is chronic for me, what about all those people outside the bubble of Boulder? It’s almost impossible to avoid added sugar in our food. Honestly, it is an epidemic in our country. I absolutely recognize that big forces are against us- the food industry, pleasure receptors in the brain, economic stress, lack of government oversight. The battle is uphill, but it is worth the fight.

My challenge is to make sugar an occasional sweet taste of life that tantalizes my senses. Not the constant IV drip into my bloodstream.

Stay posted for my next tactical strike against sugar. 

In the meantime, I will enjoy my stevia laced iced tea.