Chapter 10
The Big Three: Alcohol, Caffeine, and Sugar
What do alcohol, caffeine, and sugar have in common?
They are all:- consumed by large portions of the population;
- very addictive;
- easily abused;
- mood altering and can cause depression;
- fatigue inducing;
- low in nutrient density;
- contributors to ill health if consumed in large amounts, espe-
cially in conjunction with processed food diets and modern-
day stressful living; - substances which must be used in moderation in order for
excellent health to be maintained.
Almost no food substance in moderation is harmful. Likewise,
almost any food in excess, except for maybe vegetables, is harm-
ful. The big three—alcohol, caffeine, and sugar—are very difficult
for many to use in moderation, and any one in excess can be very
destructive to health. Periodic abstinence from these foods, even
for one or two days a week, can keep you in control and prevent
these foods from getting the upper hand on your health. This is es-
pecially true in fast-paced modern life where these addictive food
components can lead our diet and our bodies into health patterns
where we really should not go.