Sugar makes the world go round

I found out why I have a hard time getting up in the morning. I know part of it is that I stay up too late, but when I go to bed earlier I am often as slow as before. So this could be another reason:

I eat too much sugar before bed. Over the years I've tried skipping that gigantic bowl of ice cream after dinner. But I get the biggest craving for it. We always got the kids when they were little to change into their pajamas by offering them a snack after they changed. It was their "jammie snack."

Years later, I figure I crave it because I need it. I was talking to a doctor recently who said she thought evening eating was just a habit. She's switched to graham crackers and milk.

I go through sugary phases. Lately it's chocolate ice cream or its various forms, such as Ben and Jerry's chocolate brownie sundae.

Of course there is a line of thinking that you shouldn't have any sugar at all, especially when cancer is involved.

I read a little piece in the March issue of "Runner's World" saying the culprit is too many carbohyrdrates in your last meal at night.

"If you skipped dinner or ate fast-digesting foods like rice, bread or sugar desserts, your glycogen levels will be depleted, making it even harder to muster the energy to get up.

"Prep for an early-morning run the night before. Eat slow-digesting carbs like broccoli, beans and lentils," the unnamed columnist writes. Set your coffee-maker to brew before you wake (you need to get as much sleep as possible). Also turn off your computer and TV at least 30 minutes before bed.

I told Katie we were having broccoli and lentils for dessert. (The other possibility is to skip dessert. Ouch!) I went to the store seeking lentils.

I couldn't find them, so I bought a bag of Oreos.