Coffee…no sugar?

The next thing I am focused on is sugar in my diet. I’ve never quite looked at sugar as an ingredient by itself that is added to various items but rather as a natural part of a food item that belongs there. So, it is clear why I hadn’t thought about its separation from the food and elimination of it entirely. Now I can’t quite look at any food the same way! I separate the sugar from a particular food and realize how much of it there really is in a small piece of food item or dish. It’s unbelievable. I was never one not like sugar but at the same time was not craving it incessantly either. Now, that I am more aware of its presence in everything, I have become more mindful of it! Ahhh, I love being mindful. It makes me feel like I am here and now. The only place I need to be right now. The first step I’ve taken towards mindfulness of sugar is I have cut it out of my morning coffee. Period. No artificial sweeteners, just plain coffee and milk. Now, I used to think not too long ago, “how can anyone drink coffee without sugar, yuk!” Well, I have surprised myself. I now drink (or can) coffee without any sweetener. This I have to attribute it to my reading the book “Eating Mindfully” which taught me to truly be aware and be mindful of what I am eating. Its taste, texture, color, smell and how it feels as I swallow it are what I focus on when I eat or drink anything. When I had my first cup of coffee without sugar/sweetener, I truly knew what coffee really tastes like without masking it with sweetness. I became familiar with the true taste of how coffee tastes, smells and feels with every sip. It was wonderful! So, this is what coffee tastes like, I thought. Since then, I have continued the cut-off and it has been a great experience. I have not had the desire to add it back in. It takes about three weeks to form a habit (good or bad) and be patient and cultivate a good one. I feel so privileged to be able to enjoy a fresh original taste of coffee.

After this experiment, I can’t help but think about how much sugar is added in a cup of tea in India!! It should be illegal. If sugar prices were raised for sugar, its consumption would be reduced significantly.