Food For Thought

In the name of science, all is NOT holy.  We are not told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  Profits are at stake. The facts are sugar-coated with words like: occasional use, moderation, second or third on the label, in attempt to make sugar sound safe.   I am interested in the concept of sugar as an addictive substance. However, my research has led me to broaden my scope.    My objective is to shine some clarity on the multitude of aspects: the industry, effects of sugar on the individual and planet, and marketing.    

Domino Sugar, a US company, is owned by Alfonso and Pepe Fanjul. They are called the “Sugar Sultans.”  Their operations produce more than 2 MILLION tons of refined sugar.  The annual revenue is more than $1billion.   It doesn’t count the fact that it is also subsidized by the US government.   Someone subsidizes my company with $65 million bucks and I turn around and give tax-free $2 million donation.  What a deal!  The sugar business is a dirty business. That doesn’t include its slave history, past and present.

Sugar plantations affect the environment in numerous ways. Like any crop, forests must be cleared, fossil fuel used and processing wastes are impactful.  Additionally, all those crops that are related to sugar have their own effects: coffee, tea, chocolate that put additional requirements on the environment. There are ‘hidden’ costs: upkeep of office buildings where these industry people work, marking, packaging, health-related costs, the pay of lobbyists and regulation agencies.  In Mexico and El Salvador, there have been allegations that Coca-Cola used military strength to prevent unionizing & keep employees towing the party line.   The list goes on.  Sugar and Blood: Coke in Latin America, Lip Magazine. http://www.lipmagazine.org/articles/featlydersen_167.shtml 

“Liquid Candy” was a 1999 study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Teen-age boys are drinking 5 or more cans of soda a day @ 10 t. of sugar/can.  One-fifth of those 2 and 3 year olds in the US now drink soda.  Munchin Bottling, Inc  have Dr. Pepper and 7-Up Logos emblazoned on their baby bottles as a marketing ploy.   High Fructose Corn Syrup, HFCS,  currently represents 40% of sweeteners added to foods and beverages, and it is conservatively estimated that the average rate of consumption is 132 daily calories for everyone over the age of two (Bray et al., 2004). This figure increases to more than 300 calories per day.  The result, among others,  are calcium deficiencies leading to increased bone fractures and a compromised immune system.

Which comes first?  The craving or a pre-existing condition such as:  a low fat diet leading to insulin resistance?  Hormone imbalance, metabolic syndrome, low blood sugar and/ or low serotonin?  The body wisdom does not register linear effects: it simply registers what is going on …all at the same time.  Its genius is that it tracks it all.  Its genius is that it is a self-healing organism, sometimes needing a boost.  A naturopath can be of great value sorting this list out and making a plan of action.

Baby steps can be taken without needing to understand it all:·

• Remove sugar-laden products from the home
• Remove corn from the diet [inflammation, irritability and stiffness]
• Read labels.  Make sure any form of sugar is 6th on the list and lower
• Eat protein in small portions, minimizing over-eating
• Boycott soft drinks
• Minimize fruit until the sweet cravings stop
• Boycott coffee as it can lower blood sugar and bring on sugar cravings

It doesn’t matter why we boycott sugar: environment, health or politics.  Only that we do something powerful with our actions that has a resounding effect on our health and then, watch the domino effect as it positively effects the health of the planet and changes politics.

http://www.womentowomen.com/symptoms/cravings.aspx

http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Consumption/Sugar.asp

http://www.baumancollege.org/newsite/articles/cornucopia.html

http://www.baumancollege.org/newsite/articles/cornucopia.htmlhttp://macrobiotics.co.uk/sugar.htm 

http://macrobiotics.co.uk/articles/sugarcraving.htm 

About the Author...

It has taken me years to unlearn much of what I learned about psychology and health. Suffice it to say, I believe in home schooling, the work of Price, Fallon, Enig and Cowan and one's right to be happy in one's life. My husband and I live in Sunnyvale, CA with seven fabulous cats. They teach us to take a nap when the urge strikes, to eat heartily when hungry and to stretch into the new day. La Vida es Bueno!