Sugar

**Durgan** · 12-01-2011, 07:22 PM

My view: Sugar is an insidious poison, and should be avoided. It is almost an addiction. Any weight loss program has to include the complete absence of sugar. Obesity is not prevalent in Japan, and my observation was the the Japanese seldom eat deserts- meaning sugar. I have a sweet tooth and to eliminate added sugar, I don't have any in the house. I do use a bit of molasses to enhance the colour and flavour of beans when they are being cooked. An added plus when the sugar was eliminated as much as possible is that the feeling of highs and lows completely disappeared. I don't have a tired feeling any time throughout the day.

Sugar is in most of our foods. Sugar in quantity has only been fostered on the human race over the last 400 years or less. years.
Average consumption of sugar per person (in pounds)
1700 AD 4
1800 AD 18
1900 AD 90
2000 AD 145

The average American consumes an astounding 2-3 pounds of sugar each week, which is not surprising considering that highly refined sugars in the forms of sucrose (table sugar), dextrose (corn sugar), and high-fructose corn syrup are being processed into so many foods such as bread, breakfast cereal, mayonnaise, peanut butter, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, and a plethora of microwave meals.

In the last 20 years, we have increased sugar consumption in the U.S. 26 pounds to 135 lbs. of sugar per person per year! Prior to the turn of this century (1887-1890), the average consumption was only 5 lbs. per person per year!

When you eat sweets high in sugar, you're making way for rapid weight gain and elevated triglyceride levels, both of which have been linked to cardiovascular disease. Complex carbohydrates tend to be absorbed more slowly, lessening the impact on blood-sugar levels.

**hotprincesscm** · 12-01-2011, 07:49 PM

So very true.....and I truely believe sugar is an addiction....And I will say that I am addicted....I'm slowly trying to wean myself off of it....but it's sooo hard!

**Durgan** · 12-01-2011, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by hotprincesscm

So very true.....and I truely believe sugar is an addiction....And I will say that I am addicted....I'm slowly trying to wean myself off of it....but it's sooo hard!

I don't have the dammed stuff (sugar) in the house, because when I am eating my cooked oats in the morning, I have an almost insane desire to dump in two or three teaspoons of sugar. It takes a lot of will power to resist if sugar is available. Additionally don't go shopping for groceries when hungry. Those sugary baked goods appear so tempting.

**annymoll** · 12-05-2011, 10:36 AM

I bought a five pound bag of sugar at the beginning of last year and it is still sitting in the fridge, about 3/4 gone.We also eat few processed foods so I can avoid it. I am always shocked when I hear about people stocking up on sugar and the amount of baking they do with it.When I think of sugar I think of dental caries.It is amazing the amount of young children with a full mouth of cavities and parents who say"It's only their baby teeth."

**daylily** · 12-05-2011, 12:37 PM

My DH will tell you sugar addiction is very real! He would spend his last dime on a candy bar or snack cake knowing he didn't have gas money or grocery money if he spent it. And he never was overweight either. It was very difficult for him to overcome but by God's help he did.

We raised our 3 kids without giving them sugar. DH's family (several other sugar addicts) kept telling us how as soon as the kids got loose from my apron strings they would go hogwild on sugar. Well, didn't happen. Today they are 38, 35 and 31 and they do not crave sweets. They prefer fruits. As they got older they would taste a dessert at a potluck meal but it was way too sweet and not pleasing to their taste buds. DH and I are the same. When you don't eat sugar, a dessert is NOT good tasting to you

**Durgan** · 12-05-2011, 08:27 PM

An Email from my daughter in Japan.

I can count on 1 hand the number of obese people I've seen here in more than 10 years! And if I see one they are invariably white foreigners! Ouch! Basically Japanese have almost zero interest in sweets. You can't even put any sweets in kids lunch. I can't buy any of my fav junk food here at all. And if Japanese have dessert it is usually the size of a pea. And the most popular fast food is salmon with riceball and seaweed. Kids love it! And rarely is there any meat eaten, mostly fish. Totally different diet. Totally different result!

Ciao ciao!
Jan
Sent from my iPhone

**daylily** · 12-05-2011, 08:42 PM

Fascinating!

**grneyegrl** · 12-05-2011, 10:32 PM

thats because the goverment of japan cares about its people..there are all kinds of laws governing the food.and they dont sugar in everything..

we are the only county thats allows our food manufactors to sell so much garbage.it should nt be allowed.. when i was growing up we didnt get nearly the amount of fast food and goodies..it just wasnt avalible(sp).. now fast food is everywhere..i cant stand it..hate mac donalds..

people who come to the us are amazed by all the junk sold in our supermarkets...

**nuisance26** · 12-06-2011, 08:58 AM

~I think consumption has gone up so much because sugars are cheap now. Years and years ago, sugar was dear and hard to come by. Currently white sugar can be had retail at $.50lb whereas good-for-you ingredients cost much more. Apples will set you back $.80lb+. So it doesn't surprise me that food manufacturers profit from putting more sugar in their apple pies than actual apples.
I'm not addicted to sugar but I do like sweets. I'm accustomed to things far less sweet than the average American though. I always use 1/3-1/2 of the sugar called for in recipes. I buy very little that is processed/premade. No cake mix, no canned beans, no flavored yogurt, boxed mac & cheese, etc. I always look at the ingredients at the store and try to find products with no or the least added sugars. Polaner all-fruit jam is the best stuff!
I believe in moderation. Our family goes through less than 5lbs of sugar(white and brown)a month. I even make maple syrup from that brown sugar. I'll guess that we consume another 1lb a month per person in added sugars and corn syrups to things we eat occasionally. So if we're averaging 2lb per person a month it means there are people out there consuming way more than the average of 8-12lbs a month listed. Scary!
FYI, 1lb of sugar is 2.25 cups and 1733 calories. ~

**chowder** · 12-06-2011, 09:01 AM

So does anyone use Spenda? They say you can use it and it will not make you gain weight.It is used the same as sugar in baking.

**sinopa27** · 12-06-2011, 09:10 PM

i remember reading a study where they took rats and gave them cocaine and then sugar. Then they were presented again with both and they all went to sugar because they were addicted to the sugar.

**Durgan** · 12-06-2011, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by chowder

So does anyone use Spenda? They say you can use it and it will not make you gain weight.It is used the same as sugar in baking.

We use all our willpower to get rid of one product (sugar) and take on a replacement! Why not simply stay off both? All it takes is willpower.

**SewFrugal** · 12-07-2011, 12:08 PM

You are so right Durgan. I'm in the same mindset, I try to keep it out of the house. My dh does like to sweeten his iced tea w/ splenda (yuck) I've grown Stevia in the garden and use that for him in the summer. Have you used it or grown it? If so, how do you save it (ie. dry it or freeze it) I haven't done either. I just use it in season. Don't know if it's any healthier. Thanks for the info by the way

**nodmicks** · 12-07-2011, 12:12 PM

I use xylitol if I need a sweetener as stevia tastes awful to me and honey is out.

**Durgan** · 12-07-2011, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by SewFrugal

You are so right Durgan. I'm in the same mindset, I try to keep it out of the house. My dh does like to sweeten his iced tea w/ splenda (yuck) I've grown Stevia in the garden and use that for him in the summer. Have you used it or grown it? If so, how do you save it (ie. dry it or freeze it) I haven't done either. I just use it in season. Don't know if it's any healthier. Thanks for the info by the way

Stevia was grown one year. It is a rather delicate plant and probably should be grown in pots indoors. It is sweet tasting but certainly is not a replacement for sugar. Sugar gives a minor high then later a downer due to the body interaction, which is probably an indication that it should be avoided.

I have only used Stevia fresh, and never tried to preserve it. It is available in bulk food stores and health food stores in crystal and powder form. What chemicals are added, if indeed it is pure, is not known by me.

Actually my personal opinion is that Stevia is basically useless.