I was only about six or seven when I was first introduced to the addictive substance known as Milo.
I had a play date at my best friend’s house and I fell in love! My mother used to joke that she’d had high hopes of this particular friend’s lovely manners rubbing off on me. But instead I picked up her one “disgusting” habit:
The habit of making Milo with more Milo than milk in it.
We used to call it “sludge” because that is what it looked like. And oh my, was it ever yummy! (And full of sugar no doubt).
My Milo Addiction
That was the beginning of my Milo addiction. It continued to be a favourite off and on throughout my growing up years, although it was my guilty secret – I always tried to hide just how much Milo and how little milk went into a cup. Oh – and just in case you were wondering – you put the Milo in FIRST, then the milk!
For a few years I thought I had conquered my Milo addiction, but with pregnancy I began craving chocolate milkshakes and so it took hold of me once again.
When I was pregnant with Miss 22 I had a glass of Milo an hour before a blood test. The results came back with sugar levels so high, it indicated possible gestational diabetes.
It wasn’t (thankfully) – but I knew exactly what had caused that elevated reading.
I had to take action and give up my Milo addiction. There wasn’t just my health to think of, but that of my unborn child. I don’t think it was any coincidence that she used to do cartwheels in my womb every time I indulged!
So I quit.
Cold turkey.
No Milo for me.
It was years before I allowed the addictive stuff back in the house; and when I did, it was so we could have an occasional hot Milo before going to bed on a cold winter’s night. I was determined: there would be no more sludge. (And it’s just as well – have you seen the price of the stuff lately? It ain’t cheap!)
All these years later, am I still addicted to Milo?
I would say yes.
I think it’s like any addiction – the taste for it is always there.
I still think about it at times.
I still crave it.
But I don’t give in.
A while back I noticed some of my bloggy buddies were posting on behalf of Milo – “the official drink of play” I think was the campaign at the time.
I’m glad they never came knocking on my door, because in all good conscience I could not promote something that I find so addictive.
Interestingly, Milo has recently introduced a new formula which is promoted as having the same great taste, with 30% less added sugar …
Now I’ve ‘fessed up about my Milo addiction, what is your (not so secret) vice?