Avignon, France

Many moons ago, I visited Avignon. It was once where seven successive Popes resided. It is a pleasant city to visit with World Heritage sites such as the Palais des Papes, the cathedral, and the Pont d'Avignon.

Avignon at night

The Papel Square at night...

...and in daylight

Bridge Of Avignon

View form the Pont Du Gard Aquaduct 

Getting Sugar Under Control

In a previous article I wrote about white sugar being an enemy, I thought it wise to add how to beat the addiction. You may be surprised to think of it as an addiction but tests show that it is extremely addictive. Most of our consumption is through bought, processed foods. The food industry knows about it but they are there to sell to you again and again, not nurture your well being.

So how to beat it? As I have been reading labels for years on products and avoiding 'hidden' sugar, I didn't have an addiction to beat. However I just liked some processed foods like ice cream for example. I got a machine that turns frozen fruit into a delicious desert and no more ice cream (found here). There are all sorts of ways to beat the system - that wants you hooked on sugar - I call healthy alternatives.

So how about some practical advice. I could just copy from a web page but I know of one that seems to say the right things on the subject, so I suggest you take a look. I'm not a health professional but one who for my own physical condition had to limit sugar and much of what is said here I now do. Simply click on MBG.

Some things I don't touch such as soft drinks and also fruit juice. If I want fruit, I eat fruit. If I am thirsty I drink room temperature or warm water (not iced). I don't suck on a bottle all day but drink a full glass. Instead of coffee (I recently started a low coffee consumption regime) I substitute with a carob powder drink. Find what works for you as we are all different. Except in one way...white sugar is bad for all of us.

For all that, will power is the major player. Unless you have the commitment to win, you won't. It's that simple.

Food Public Enemy Number One

I remember my mother reading about public enemy #1 and #2 written by Doris Grant. She criticised the processed food industry for overuse of refined carbohydrates, especially white bread and white sugar. It caused a rethink in our diet and we went from heavy consumers of above ingredients to lesser users.


More recently I have for health reasons cut back to virtually zero white sugar. I still eat a fair amount of white flour but mix it with wholemeal when baking it. I never buy commercially made bread as it doesn't agree with me the same as home made.

If one could do one improvement in their diet, I would suggest virtual elimination of white sugar. Some sources claim it is nutritious but I beg to differ. The appearance and taste tell me all benefit has been removed in the processing of it.

Sucrose is found in fruit but there is a difference between natural sucrose that found in white sugar or syrup usually found in processed foods. The refining process ensures there is no nutritional value. In fact they take energy and health. I don't want to sound a crusader but these are my personal thoughts, not shared by all. I know I feel better with minimal white sugar and I don't hold back on naturally occurring sucrose.