It is not often I get to fly first class, but this morning I boarded a full plane and sat in seat 4F, a comfy, roomy and relaxing seat. I was looking forward to being served fresh tea and a good breakfast as I relaxed and listened to a little Christian meditation on my headphones. It was still dark so a quick snooze may be in order at some point in this first leg of a four and half hour journey.

After an enjoyable cup of tea, a nice warm washcloth to wash my face and hands I was feeling pretty special! Wow, first class was fun, I could get used to this. Then I was served breakfast. Holy Cow! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Now, I know airline food is not known to be great, but this was just unacceptable. Seriously, unnamed Airline Company, you think this was a meal, let alone a first class meal? I am shocked. Thanks, but no thanks for a single serving plastic wrapped pound cake with

57 ingredients, yes 57 ingredients, (see the label in the photo), a single serving wrapped sugar laden granola packet, with 13 ingredients most of which were sugar and a semi-chilled yogurt with 16 ingredients, the second ingredient being, you guessed it sugar!! Those who consumed this 100% processed gastro disaster ate over 58 grams of sugar in one setting plus a plethora of other chemicals. It puts a whole new meaning to starting your day with a bang, a bang of sugar and chemicals that is.

I quietly asked the attendant to take my sweet calamity away, and he asked what was wrong. What is wrong I thought? Are you kidding me? I wanted to bellow; you believe that this is a meal? Are you trying to put everyone in a trance? I began to open my mouth and complain but then I looked at the person sitting beside me who had consumed all 58 grams of sugar, who’s head was bent over, mouth wide open and was napping or drugged not sure. I did not want to make anyone feel guilty, or embarrassed so I quietly said thank you, but I am not hungry for “sweets” this morning.
I noticed when boarding the plane today the majority appeared to be business people; obviously, this is an assumption on my part. However, It was an early 6:30 am Monday morning flight. Some may have been taking a vacation, but I am guessing most were heading to a work related event. After the

meal I watched almost everyone ultimately consume; I predict they will have less than stellar performances today at work or on the golf course for that matter. Consuming 58 grams of sugar in the morning shocks your pancreas, your liver, and your brain. It was sad to think what was happening inside all of the bodies that surrounded me. They had been filled with cheap drug like calories without a thought what it would do to their bodies. But I could not be too critical because only three years ago I would have consumed the same meal without question until I knew better. My revelation came through a cancer diagnosis. What can I say or do to help people avoid my path and just say NO to unhealthy foods like the one’s served on my early morning flight?

It was ironic that on the way to the airport I was listening to a radio talk show host from Cincinnati review the current day’s news saying that it was announced that the United States is the most obese country in the world. Really? I already knew that but was not expecting for that morning news brief to be so bluntly thrown in my face so quickly only hours later. Most of our foods contain cheap useless calories that are dangerous to all parts of our personal and professional lives.

Sugar is hazardous y’all. It is not suitable in excess quantities for you or your family, and it certainly is not helpful in creating a productive day in your career. I don’t believe many of us would drink alcohol before we begin our workday, why do we think it is OK to start with a high sugar and or a high carbohydrate intake?

Next time you want to have your employees show up for a productive meeting, you ought to have them avoid airline meals. Everyone deserves a better start to their day than that. Starting with sugar and chemicals is just sad, just plain sad for everyone.