2 ms·

We're not talking about sugar coated donuts are we? We're talking about a supposedly innocuous looking water that turns out it's sugar laden and a healthy look

We're not talking about sugar coated donuts are we? We're talking about a supposedly innocuous looking water that turns out it's sugar laden and a healthy looking breakfast cereal that again has huge amounts of added sugar. While in the us/UK/etc. there is now widespread knowledge that coke and sweets are bad for you, the healthy looking alternatives also have tons of sugar added, deliberately, with manipulative packaging. But in poorer countries they're just using the old cheaper tactics, showing deliberate malice even though they know their product is generally damaging. In my supermarket in the UK if you want to buy sugar free yoghurt you have to inspect the fine print. A large number have sugar as their second biggest ingredient. They're out to trick you all the time, with things that look like they have no sugar in them. Not sure how your Obama beef is relevant.

mrguyorama 9y ago
And in fact, Michelle Obama even went on a large scale campaign to improve American eating: https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/healthy-schools https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/healthy-school...
- chiefalchemist 9y ago
  Those are token, fuzzy, feel-good efforts. Great PR. But low on the priority / impact scale. That effort should have been on the table right next to the ACA. If past presidents (in times of war) can ask the American public to make sacrifices, why can't that happen or this issue? After all, the military has declared the obesity crisis as a threat to national security. https://www.usmilitary.com/29468/military-leaders-say-obesity-in-america-is-a-national-security-issue/ https://www.usmilitary.com/29468/military-leaders-say-obesit... ACA was great politically (for those on the Left), but it was only acknowledging half the problem, and in doing so is ultimately undermining the ACA itself.
chiefalchemist 9y ago
Maybe this will help as it's a perfect example of the arc of my point. In my supermarket in the USA, if you want to buy sugar free yogurt you go right for the plain knowing you can add anything you want; and that you'll know EXACTLY what you're adding, how much, etc. Personal responsibility to my body & mind trumps convenience (and a sugar high); it's my pushback against blaming The System when I already have and use the tools I need. Plus, it also reduces shopping stress. There is no decision, just get the plain. (BTW, I'm not vegetarian / vegan but I do try to avoid yogurt as much as possible.) Food is for nourishment, and occasionally to stimulate the senses (read: strictly for enjoyment). The problem is, too many have inverted that ratio; too many are unwilling to modify their relationship with food so they are healthy. There is nothing more personal than that relationship (i.e., what goes in your mouth). The System offers temptations. That doesn't make it okay to cheat on yourself. p.s. My beef isn't with Obama. It's with (so called) liberals. Healthcare (which rightfully includes personal health), as well as the environment are both said to be liberal hot buttons. They are also connected. But all we get is ranting about the ACA and the Paris Accord? That's not leadership, at least not the type of leadership we really need at this point.
- mattmanser 9y ago
  When did you learn that plain yoghurt is ok, but all the others are not ok? The packaging makes all the others look ok. Plain yoghurt vs strawberry yoghurt sounds like, and is presented like, a taste choice. Not a choice between 0 spoonfuls of sugar and 10 spoonfuls of sugar. How did you learn it? And this is one example in a myriad of food choices! Almost every cereal, "whole grains and nuts", has sugar listed as the third ingredient. Including the healthy looking ones. In the UK, Special-K, advertised by thin women in red swimming costumes, presents itself as a diet cereal. Third ingredient? Sugar. "specifically tailored for women with a mix of ingredients to give you a positive, healthy start to the day and help you feel strong from the inside". Healthy start my ass, it's just carbs. What about all these other little rules and gotchas and tricks that you've learnt manipulative companies are trying to play on you? How many articles did you have to read? And why do you think the rest of society has this same level of education about food? You, I assume, are well paid, have time to sit at your desk reading articles about yoghurt and added sugar. You have a vastly different level of education than most of your country, access to much higher levels of pay, have different exposure to revealing stories about the tactics of companies adding sugar came from. We haven't even touched on how carb laden, added sugar food is vastly cheaper and easier to cook than nutrional food, making it extra seductive in two ways to poor, overworked people. You've fallen into the classic trap of "I know this, I act like this, I have this level of money, I have time to act on this, therefore everyone else should be able to".

mrguyorama 9y ago

And in fact, Michelle Obama even went on a large scale campaign to improve American eating: https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/healthy-schools https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/healthy-school...

chiefalchemist 9y ago
Those are token, fuzzy, feel-good efforts. Great PR. But low on the priority / impact scale. That effort should have been on the table right next to the ACA. If past presidents (in times of war) can ask the American public to make sacrifices, why can't that happen or this issue? After all, the military has declared the obesity crisis as a threat to national security. https://www.usmilitary.com/29468/military-leaders-say-obesity-in-america-is-a-national-security-issue/ https://www.usmilitary.com/29468/military-leaders-say-obesit... ACA was great politically (for those on the Left), but it was only acknowledging half the problem, and in doing so is ultimately undermining the ACA itself.

chiefalchemist 9y ago

Maybe this will help as it's a perfect example of the arc of my point. In my supermarket in the USA, if you want to buy sugar free yogurt you go right for the plain knowing you can add anything you want; and that you'll know EXACTLY what you're adding, how much, etc. Personal responsibility to my body & mind trumps convenience (and a sugar high); it's my pushback against blaming The System when I already have and use the tools I need. Plus, it also reduces shopping stress. There is no decision, just get the plain. (BTW, I'm not vegetarian / vegan but I do try to avoid yogurt as much as possible.) Food is for nourishment, and occasionally to stimulate the senses (read: strictly for enjoyment). The problem is, too many have inverted that ratio; too many are unwilling to modify their relationship with food so they are healthy. There is nothing more personal than that relationship (i.e., what goes in your mouth). The System offers temptations. That doesn't make it okay to cheat on yourself. p.s. My beef isn't with Obama. It's with (so called) liberals. Healthcare (which rightfully includes personal health), as well as the environment are both said to be liberal hot buttons. They are also connected. But all we get is ranting about the ACA and the Paris Accord? That's not leadership, at least not the type of leadership we really need at this point.

mattmanser 9y ago
When did you learn that plain yoghurt is ok, but all the others are not ok? The packaging makes all the others look ok. Plain yoghurt vs strawberry yoghurt sounds like, and is presented like, a taste choice. Not a choice between 0 spoonfuls of sugar and 10 spoonfuls of sugar. How did you learn it? And this is one example in a myriad of food choices! Almost every cereal, "whole grains and nuts", has sugar listed as the third ingredient. Including the healthy looking ones. In the UK, Special-K, advertised by thin women in red swimming costumes, presents itself as a diet cereal. Third ingredient? Sugar. "specifically tailored for women with a mix of ingredients to give you a positive, healthy start to the day and help you feel strong from the inside". Healthy start my ass, it's just carbs. What about all these other little rules and gotchas and tricks that you've learnt manipulative companies are trying to play on you? How many articles did you have to read? And why do you think the rest of society has this same level of education about food? You, I assume, are well paid, have time to sit at your desk reading articles about yoghurt and added sugar. You have a vastly different level of education than most of your country, access to much higher levels of pay, have different exposure to revealing stories about the tactics of companies adding sugar came from. We haven't even touched on how carb laden, added sugar food is vastly cheaper and easier to cook than nutrional food, making it extra seductive in two ways to poor, overworked people. You've fallen into the classic trap of "I know this, I act like this, I have this level of money, I have time to act on this, therefore everyone else should be able to".