Google News can be entertaining (http://news.google.com/).
Late August 2004 headlines show that at least some USA
government experts understand the difference between “good”
and “bad” sugars. However, they stopped short of telling us
to limit refined sugar intake, in updated dietary guidelines
for 2005.
Could this reluctance to state the obvious be signs that
commercial interests are taken seriously by the Feds? News
articles said that 7 of the 13 panel members have financial
interests in the food industry.
Duh!
The full “2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
Report”, released August 27, 2004, is available at
http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/report/
Most of the panel’s recommendations are consistent with
those in my two health books. Restrict salt, meat, dairy,
alcoholic beverages, trans fats. Eat whole grains and fruits
and vegetables. Eat foods with omega-3 fatty acids. Get at
least 30 minutes of exercise daily, such as brisk walks.
And don’t get hung up on “low carb”.
“Good sugars” are those that occur naturally in healthful
foods, such as fruits and vegetables. “Bad sugars” are those
which are refined to have no nutrients other than calories.
But representatives of the sugar and soft drinks industries
maintain that overeating and lack of exercise, not a
particular food or beverage, are causing America’s obesity.
Item: My article, “High Energy Food Illustrations”, shows
that sugar, fat, alcohol are concentrated energy sources
which can support fire. Restrict their intake and you help
your calorie balance.
Item: Such sources as the American Medical Association show
that sugar enriched foods and beverages correlate with risk
of diabetes, as well as risk of obesity.
Item: My diet book noted that some young people being
treated with Ritalin[tm] for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD) were able to flush their drugs when they
removed refined sugars from their diets. (I knew one such
youth.) I also noted that average USA consumption of refined
sugars and artificial sweeteners is now about 25 times the
per capita consumption of the early 1900s. Use of the three
major artificial sweeteners is no magic cure, because they
can cause the symptoms of several serious diseases.
So, should we take the advice of the sugar-foods and soft
drinks industries?
As reporter John Stossel would say, “Give Me a Break”.
** Diet with FACTS, not MYTHS. **
