An Open Letter to Refined Sugar

At the start, it’s always incredible.

It’s silky hazelnut chocolate swirling into my fork. It’s milk chocolate cuddling raisins or enrobing hard creamy Brazil nuts. It’s a cheeky one out of a colourful paper bag on holiday or a sweet coffee after a trough of spaghetti.

I never want it to end, and it’s so good in the beginning. I have you in the car in broad daylight. Or after a night out even though I’ve already had a rich dessert. Just because the yearning starts. You become all I think about from dawn til dusk.

But somewhere in the middle of that last hit, comes that sick feeling.

And years down the line, you’ll lead me reluctantly down hospital hallways. Patting my hand all the way. Why couldn’t I break it off with you all those opportunities ago? You are an addiction. And I know you want me to blame myself. But instead I’ll forget you. Forget the lost years. And just be. Me and my coffee alone. Because that is finally enough.

You can no longer make me believe that my company alone is not enough.

You can no longer tell me that you can make difficult social situations easier.

When I feed myself and my loved ones I will reach for my first choice, not your “alternatives“. I will rejoice in sweetness from nature, of fruit and drupes. Perfect as they are.

And when my time is finally up one day- it won’t be because I gave in to you.