Family,

This summer, I am accepting a sugar free challenge. From the end of the day July 4th, after a vegan barbeque and some apple pie, I will go without added sugar until Labor Day. 

Will you join me on my journey as I take the Sugar Free Summer challenge?

I have taken on this challenge as both a personal experiment and a public effort to highlight how much our diets have been invaded by incredible amounts of added sugar - especially compared to the diets of generations of Americans before. Much has been documented about the negative effects of processed sugar on our health - from our brain health to heart health to links to cancers and more. The costs to our health and our society are staggering when you see how diet-related diseases are contributing to skyrocketing health care costs in America. 

I was challenged to be the change. And I am challenged to see how his body will function and even improve without the inflammatory adverse health-impacting effects of added sugar like high fructose corn syrup and more – substances that receive so much of our tax dollars through government subsidies. 

We are becoming a poorer nation by paying twice: we pay our tax dollars to make sugary, ultra-processed foods cheaper than healthier options, and then we pay again for the health care costs such foods can cause. 

Stunningly, so many of the foods we eat every day are full of added and ultra-processed sugar, including ketchup, mustard, salad dressings, pasta sauces, drinks, breakfast cereals, breads, chips, dips and so so much more. 

Change starts with us. Join me in this challenge. Take on this life experiment. 

See what effects it has on your health and grow in awareness of how truly prevalent sugar is in our diets — and how much it truly costs our nation. Perhaps after, both you and I can be better agents of change for your family, for your community, and for our larger national food policy.

The rules are simple. Between July 4th and Labor Day, there should be no added sugar in anything you consume.

This does not mean giving up fruits, alcohol, or other naturally occurring sugars in our foods. Nor do you have to give up artificial sweetners — though I will be going hardcore and giving up his beloved Stevia in my tea.

Energized and ready to be Sugar-free,

Cory