My Jihad on sugar

[Arcade22]

Is there any chance of turning the suicidal culture of sugar consumption?
I see that the US department of health is putting out information about sodas.
But I doubt that one awareness campaign is going to alert people to what they are doing to themselves.

Teaching kids at school about proper nutrition is important, but most of the responsibility lies at the parents because poor diet and patterns like that which is repeated every day is hard to 'fix' when you've doing it for decades.

 

[Fast Eddie B]

I'm on an iPad right now, so just let me quote the American Diabetes Society:

Myth: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.

Fact: No, it does not. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the onset of the disease; type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors. Being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories, whether from sugar or from fat, can contribute to weight gain. If you have a history of diabetes in your family, eating a healthy meal plan and regular exercise are recommended to manage your weight.

In short, sugar of any kind is not poison or evil. The brain requires glucose to function, and there are evolutionary reasons why we prefer sweet things. All things in moderation, and don't allow sugar to displace other nutrients, and most people will be fine. My particular weakness is jelly beans and Fireballs, and at age 62 I'm pretty fit and healthy - and not diabetic.

I will try to watch the linked video and see if it changes my mind on any of this.

 

[Eddie Dane]

BTW.

I don't eat a sugar free diet. I've just cut down a lot.
On the weekend I eat a big breakfast with lots of jam and Nutella and whatnot.
I occasionally eat candy.

Staying away from sodas, though. That's just insane.

I can't find the page now, but I stumbled on a forum for recovering sugar 'addicts'.
They were exchanging tips on kicking the habit.
The frighting thing was that they had basically eliminated all carbs from their diet.
And yes, that includes grain, rice, potatoes etc.
They were all complaining of 'withdraw symptoms'. Lack of energy, dizziness.


I don't know if Jenny Mcarthy was involved in some way.

I'd like to point out that I'm not in that demographic.

 

[aggle-rithm]

In short, sugar of any kind is not poison or evil. The brain requires glucose to function, and there are evolutionary reasons why we prefer sweet things. All things in moderation, and don't allow sugar to displace other nutrients, and most people will be fine. My particular weakness is jelly beans and Fireballs, and at age 62 I'm pretty fit and healthy - and not diabetic.

After working with a nutritionist for a few weeks, I'm learning that it's about balance more than anything else. Carbohydrates in themselves are not bad, it's just that they must be balanced with proteins and fats to keep the blood sugar levels from going on a wild roller-coaster ride.

That being said, there is something pathological about my own obsession with sugar, so I think it's best if I steer clear of it as much as possible.

 

[Babbylonian]

I don't want to be condescending to people who suffer from obesity, but it sometimes feels like watching someone repeatedly hitting themselves in the face with a hammer.
You feel like saying 'eh, dude. Don't you'd think you'd feel better if you stopped doing that?'

And other times you feel like saying, 'eh, dude. Don't you think I'd feel better if I minded my own *********** business?'