Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sugar is sugar - your body can't tell the difference
I try to not let myself get angry at the food industry because that would only create my own personal hell, and I in fact love my life and am grateful for everything I am and have been given. This is something that really grinds my gears though. The corn industry's commercials on how "corn sugar" is the same as cane sugar. Okay let me start off by pointing out that they are in fact talking about high fructose corn syrup. One of the main purposes of these commercials is to get Americans to accept the new name "corn sugar". The corn industry is awaiting approval from the FDA to get high fructose corn syrup off the label and corn sugar on it! I of course passionately believe that no matter the name this nasty stuff needs to be banned (following Europe's example). Of course Big Corn didn't waste any time using the new name in their advertisements. A new name for the same product simply to trick the American public into trusting it again. It turns out the cane sugar industry did not like the comparison and is now suing the corn industry. It's pretty obvious that there is a difference in the two products. One is granulated white powder and one is laboratory made sticky syrup. One comes from the Earth and one is made by scientists. On top of it all high fructose corn syrup has been associated with obesity, among other ailments. Lets face it: Americans consume more sugar than any other country in the world and we are the fattest (coincidence? I think not). I also wanted to point out that when a label says "sugar" it doesn't mean that it is pure cane sugar. It is in fact more times than not, a blend of cane sugar and genetically modified sugar beets. Yummy....not. Moral of the story? Avoid processed food. I love dessert and couldn't go without it. For me life is too short to not enjoy the pleasures in it. I simply use organic unrefined sugar and bake from scratch and it's a beautiful thing.
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I think your posts are great Ciera! I saw that commercial too, and was immediately angered. I'm hoping that there are more intelligent people in the world than not, and that they all see through the "smoke and mirrors" of the MONSANTO GMO corn hype. Would it be cruel to say that for those that are fooled, we can call it natural selection when they all die sooner than the wise-enough-not-to-buy-in?!
ReplyDeleteHowever, there is no guarantee that those with the purest, most natural diet will not get cancer, so don't think that "organic" is a cureall. That industry should be approached with caution, because business is business, and when the FDA defined "organic" monsanto was in the government.
I agree with you about sweets; we have dessert every day in my house. But I can't afford raw sugar, so I do buy refined. But it is refined from cane or beets not corn. It is not fair that only the wealthy get to eat healthy. When the demand for more wholesome food grows the prices will go down. In the mean time, providers of fresh/wholesome/organic/natural need to make their prices reasonable and their product accessible to those who use food stamps.
One last thing, constructive criticism. I am very sensitive to the things people assume about obesity. I weighed 400 pounds and was healthy at that weight. I was in a geology field program, and physically active on a high level every day; you can't carry an extra 200 pounds on your body doing what I was doing without being strong and healthy. Unfortunately, because of my visual size, I was ignored by many, most importantly by doctors, who simply wrote me off as fat and lazy instead of asking themselves, "Is it normal to gain 120 pounds in 12 months, while breast feeding?" Making assumptions can be deadly; I'm just fortunately persistent and perserverent.
Much love and admiration for you CeCe!
Thank you for your support, Mona! I can see what your saying about my assuming that sugar makes people fat but it does in fact make people fat. Of course there are exceptions to every rule though! In fact many thin people eat badly and because they have a fast metabolism they don't see a need to change...
DeleteThis is a great article on the link between obesity and sugar: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/02/27/can-sugar-be-toxic.aspx
DeleteMan, I remember the first time that we saw that commercial. My fiance turned to me and said "See, it's not bad for you!". I just glared at him. I'm just trying to find the right balance between working full-time, taking care of the baby & making more food for us. I really love the thought of buying in bulk to save containers & packaging. But man is that a hard balance to find! But no matter what, my baby is on an organic diet. And I'm really excited at the prospect of buying out own home so I can try a hand at gardening. But in the meantime, I'm really looking into a CSA program. Organic food from local farms picked and delivered once a week? I'm game. :) I'm really proud of everything that you're doing, girl!
ReplyDeleteYou are an awesome mom for putting baby first! My husband and I are super lucky to have the availability of organic goods! I know it seems like it's more expensive but overall I haven't noticed too much of a difference financially. I feel like it's less expensive than what we were spending on eating out. (Plus you are closer to Trader Joe's than I am and they are so cheap compared to everywhere else!) Also things like flour, rice, pasta, beans...are still pretty cheap...We buy veggies as we go and plan meals in advance so we know we will use them up. Before we would waste a ton of food because we'd eat out instead. Now it's fun to cook! But I know how it is working full-time but can't imagine a baby on top of it! Sounds like you are doing the right thing by starting small..every step in the right direction is a huge improvement. I can't wait for the summer farmer's markets to start! I also hope I can grow some stuff worth eating this year.
DeleteBeing personally very sensitve to all sugar forms including from fresh fruit, I've been on a mission to find the best sweetnerss with the least health impact. I can say raw agave, raw local honey are the best for me. I cannot have anything with corn syrup without feeling ill with headaches, and stomach cramps, I also suffer from cane sugars with varying symptoms. I gave my daughter honey from local plant bees and successfully cured her of a nasty virus with 2 large doses. I would like to point out to those of you who cannot afford higher quality groceries that there are some creative ways of doing so. All of us have some skill or talent that can be bartered. Find a honey maker, or yogurt, or canner/jarer or organic food grower and trade them. Musicans might play at a gathering for trade as an example of how we don't have to be skilled at making something ouselves in order to trade. Babysit, spend an afternoon helping organize, make or fix things if your handy. There are so many ways of working around the system, and you don't pay taxes on barters. Go Ciera.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, Hillary! I agree with you! Organic agave and organic raw honey are amazing...they add sweetness to baking but also add antioxidents...organic apple sauce is amazing in cake, too! I love the idea of a barter system...wouldn't it just be heaven if I could just make some baked goods and trade it for my veggies? I need to find some takers!
Deleteorganic raw honey in my tea everyday...going to have my calming chamomile now...this is the life..love to you family Hill!
DeleteThere's a bee keeper in Calaveras county who sells his honey locally. Recently read an article that if there isn't polen listed in the ingredients it isn't really honey. Honey is the yummiest natural treat!
ReplyDeleteAlso, applesauce is a great substitute in recipies that call for oil as a fat.
ReplyDeleteYeah applesauce is amazing in carrot cake! I think I will make one today! And I'll post the recipe on my blog. Do you know where to get the honey and the olive oil? My raw honey is from trader joe's (product of mexico)...I hear it's best to eat local honey because it has everything you need to prevent allergies for your area.
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