The Sugar Wars

The "Sugar Wars" have been a part of my life for some time now, and I may soon be turning the corner. After reading a book called The Zero Sugar Diet, I understand more fully which weapons enable me to better resist the siren call of C12H22O11. This week, I will eliminate added sugar from my diet completely and without consuming any fake sugar as well. I have diabetes, high blood pressure and am 50-70 pounds overweight. These conditions are a direct result of the curse of the American diet, high in sugar, fats and cholesterol.

Our government already knows about sugar. It knows the human cost to its citizens who eat too much sugar and is fully aware of the billions of dollars spent on health care and lost productivity. So what is Uncle Sam doing about it? Let me summarize the U. S. initiative on cutting sugar and salt from the American diet and you will see for yourself.

"The U.S. National Salt and Sugar Reduction Initiative, supported by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, was finalized in February 2021 and provides sugar-reduction targets for manufacturers and food service providers to use as part of a public health partnership to improve the health of Americans. The goal of the initiative is to gradually reduce 20% of added sugar from common food purchases and 40% from sugar-sweetened beverages over "several years". Achieving these targets could help Americans eliminate 3.7 grams of added sugar from daily food sources and 6.3 grams of added sugar from sugar-sweetened beverages."

Somehow, this edict does not fall into the"bold initiative" category. For one thing, no time frame is given. "Several years" does not make Coke and Pepsi quake in their boots. Where is it mentioned the actual sugar limitations that will be placed on manufacturers? Producers could actually raise the amount of sugar in packaged products now, reduce sugar by 20% and end up with more sugar than before.

"Sugar consumption is now an epidemic," says Mark Hyman, M.D., author of The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet. "The long-term effects will be staggering."

An "epidemic", says Dr. Mark Hyman. Does our governments's response sound like the response to an epidemic? Hardly. Children are even more vulnerable to sugar. According to the American Heart Association, eating lots of added sugar early in life is linked to obesity, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. What is the government doing about this? They are crowing about the new USDA guidelines that says "No more than 10% of the weekly average calories in school meals can be from added sugars." These guidelines must be followed by July 1, 2027. I can easily see these guidelines being delayed for several years past the deadline. For some school systems, this will be a monumental effort. Besides, sugar is not the only culprit involved in school lunches. They are known to have high fat content, low fiber and excessive sodium. As a former teacher, I have experience with school lunch fare. Schools only care about fixing lunches that the greatest majority of their students will eat--based on no research whatsoever! I have been surprised many times at how the majority of students will expand their choices when given the opportunity.

Young children face an uphill battle from the beginning, and if a child is born into poverty, you can double or triple the chances that a child in a dire situation will become obese even before puberty. Beside overhauling school lunches, guidelines must be set up for restaurants and fast-food dispensaries, which are notorious for hidden added sugars. At Taco Bell, for instance, a grilled "stuft" burrito contains 6 grams of sugar. That's 24% of the RDA of added sugar. In a friggin' burrito. That sugar has no good reason being there. But McDonald's can't be overlooked. Their "artisan grilled chicken sandwich" contains 11 grams of sugar, or 44% of the RDA. Add a soft drink and you can shoot your daily sugar allowance in just one meal.

More needs to be done to protect us from the ravages of sugar. And don't expect the government to do it for you. Educate yourself on good nutrition and health practices. Do not allow your kids to drink sugary soft drinks and shakes. Get yourself moving and exercising, especially if you have a sedentary occupation. We can do better, and there's no excuse not to if we make everyone aware of the issues. Share your knowledge!