the big three: alcohol, caffeine, and sugarone said the fog cleared in the morning after eliminating a night-
time food or alcoholic drink, I’d be rich.
My goal for you in practicing periodic abstinence from alcohol
is that you really know how it affects your life and that you are in
control of it—not the other way around. In fact, that is my goal for
you regarding all food intake.
Caffeine: The Legal Drug
Caffeine is a very addictive substance. It is a legal drug, in my
opinion (I use it). What makes it dangerous in this busy, modern
society is that it is a vehicle for unwanted calories (sugar and fat),
takes the place of good calories, and in the context of a poor diet
and busy lifestyle can cause blood sugar fluctuations resulting in
energy, cognition, and mood problems that can really run a per-
son’s life—in the wrong direction.
The world of caffeine drinks is intertwined with every age
group and all aspects of modern life. The current “energy drink
revolution” is a prime example. Young teenagers can get hooked
on caffeine without ever drinking a cup of coffee at home in front
of their parents. I also cringe when I see parents buying heavily
sweetened, sugar-laden, dairy-containing, espresso-loaded coffee
drinks with a refined flour, sweet-fat muffin or something of that
nature for their child or teenager. Not good! You are not doing the
child any favors. Coffee shops, and I frequent them regularly, are
places where bad health habits can be created and perpetuated.
They are legal drug houses; Sugar, fat, refined grains, dairy, and
caffeine are the drugs.
Caffeine Doesn’t like Being Alone!
Caffeine drinks usually come with other things. Caffeine in cof-
fee drinks come with a lot of calories because of the dairy products,
chocolate, syrups, or other added sweeteners (sucrose from cane
or beet sugar). A day or two per week or every month or so indi-