Sugar

I moderate more than I used to.
Especially sodas. (and no I don't do diet, I hate those)

I've also found that I don't like things made with cane sugar or corn syrup as much any more. (I can feel it "cutting" on my teeth)
I prefer more natural subtle sweetners.
Like now I enjoy honey in my coffee or tea. (or a vanilla)

So, while I don't avoid them altogether...I do refrain more.
And I'm aware of their impact on my mood, energy and fitness. (it counts more than it used to when I was younger)

I don't think people should go crazy overboard avoiding it.
But I don't think everyone should just ignore it either.
Everything in moderation.
And it's on your own individual impact and preference too. All bodies are different.

I do believe the vendors should make you aware of how much sugar is in foods. (ignorance is NOT bliss)
And they should pull back from using it.

You'd think by now they'd stop trying to abuse an angle just to make a buck.
It's your customers, you know...

 

I used to love sugary foods, but rarely indulge any more. I avoid processed foods with high fructose corn syrup like the plague they are. I'll admit to a weakness for (real) maple syrup over steel cut oatmeal, and sometimes crave the taste of dark molasses. I eat berries, grapes, and melons.

I follow a low, or at least controlled, carb diet. I've done so for years. I do occasionally make a conscious choice to have something like some chocolate dessert, creme brule, or caramel popcorn. I haven't had a full sugar soda for many years. Sometimes, when eating at someone else's house, the sugar in everything is just unavoidable. I just eat as little as possible without being rude. It's not like sugar is poisonous in small doses over the short term.

Not much sugar in my life, so not much to cut. I don't think that there's any in the cupboard. I just went and looked -- there's an ancient box of sugar cubes with four missing.

Much less.

I like unsweetened custard and no sugar vanilla or dark chocolate homemade ice cream with berries. Not very international. I don't care for the salty pickled asian "sweets" that I've tried.

I do like salty, and also sour. I also love the taste of the "sweet" fats, like heavy cream, butter, and most any good cheese.

And it's not nuclear radiation anyway, but maybe the idea comes from the common parlance expression of "nuking" when we reheat something in the microwave. Mercola also has some weird thing against eating pork, as I recall.
--- merged: Oct 29, 2014 5:37 AM ---

I think that it is interesting that sugar without fat can make you fat. But fat without sugar (carbs) doesn't.

 

Maybe try sparkling water for some variety? I find the bubbles break the monotony and mimic soda pretty well.

 

Both Pepsi Max and Coke Zero use combinations of acesulfame potassium (Ace K) and aspartame to achieve their sweetness.

 

I've become a fan of stevia as a sweetener.

 

I don't drink much soda, either diet or regular, but I drink a lot of Crystal Light style lemonade. I really prefer the Hy-Vee store brand, though. Also Snapple or Arizona ice tea when the bottles are on sale.

 

I ate some candy this weekend and it just tasted gross. I think my sweet tooth died. 72% cacao dark chocolate or higher for me, thanks.

 

I opt for 70% only when I want my chocolate sweet.

 

I make "bites" out of very dark chocolate, using unsweetened coconut, peanut butter, coconut oil, hemp hearts, and almonds. They're very satisfying, and very high in fiber.

 

I used some Ibarra(Mexican chocolate in a solid disk) to make hot chocolate about a month ago when it was cold.
It was too sweet, but it was what I had in the house.
Hint: It's hard as a brick. Nuke it for a few seconds before adding it to the milk.

 

Yeah, it and Abuelita are essentially the same product.

 

Here's a fun bit of trivia: I have found that my diet tends to follow my activity levels. I eat better when I'm more active and keeping fit. I don't know if it's a psychological thing or if my cravings change due to metabolic changes or what. Now that it's spring and I'm coming out of hibernation I've started noticing that I feel the need to snack less and tend towards healthier stuff when I do.

I don't usually worry about a teaspoon of sugar in my coffee or the odd snack. I like to keep my dietary habits simple, which means I don't want to spend a lot of time reading labels and counting carbs. I think mostly just cutting out the junk food and sticking to healthy whole foods is a good way to moderate.

I also don't care too much about artificial sweeteners. Good ol aspartame is fine by me. Or just plain sugar.

 

I am fine with most artificial sweeteners in moderation. I don't drink diet soda any more either. I sometimes sprinkle a half of a packet of sucralose on heavy cream mixed with blueberries.

 

Speaking of cream, has anyone tried powdered cream?