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I appreciate what you're pointing out how, but it doesn't strictly work since sugar arguably has a far larger affect on overall health and metabolism than caffe

I appreciate what you're pointing out how, but it doesn't strictly work since sugar arguably has a far larger affect on overall health and metabolism than caffeine. At least in the context of this story.

StavrosK 11y ago
Sure, but the GP is arguing against soda, when there's a perfectly good alternative: sugarless soda. He doesn't provide any argument as to why one should cut soda completely, he just says "sugar is bad, therefore you need to cut soda". I don't even think he's saying that, actually, he seems to be saying "I don't drink soda so neither should you".
- lambda 11y ago
  What I'm saying is that culturally, we need to shift away from thinking that sweets are something that should be consumed on a daily basis. Based on my personal experience, avoiding having sweet drinks on a daily basis can help you lose your sweet tooth; and thus be less compelled to consume more of other sweet things. Having cut out soda, I find I have a lower tolerance for sweet food in general. I'm less likely to order sweet and sour chicken, or foods that are glazed, or things with barbecue sauce, or honey-mustard dressings or dips. I have desserts less often, and when I do, split them more ways. As others have pointed out in this thread, most people have a sense that feeding caffeine or alcohol to kids is a bad idea; and even as adults, that they are things that should be consumed in moderation. They don't have coffee available in the school cafeteria. However, most people have no such sense about sugar, giving kids juice boxes, chocolate milks, and putting soda machines in schools for them to buy whenever they have a little extra allowance left over. While sugar-free soda is probably an improvement over soda with sugar in it, it still leaves you with that sweet tooth, and you're more likely to subconsciously keep consuming sugars in other forms.
NyxWulf 11y ago
I learned this from my doctor (who is a diabetic specialist), some years ago we were talking about how to form good habits for kids and my wife and I were avoiding caffeine beverages for the kids, but letting them have apple juice etc. His opinion based on the evidence is that he would much rather have our kids drink caffeine every day but stay away from the sugar. His specific point was that people on the internet point to unknown risks with aspartame or caffeine, but ignore the mountain of known risks associated with sugar. It was an eye opening discussion to say the least.

StavrosK 11y ago

Sure, but the GP is arguing against soda, when there's a perfectly good alternative: sugarless soda. He doesn't provide any argument as to why one should cut soda completely, he just says "sugar is bad, therefore you need to cut soda". I don't even think he's saying that, actually, he seems to be saying "I don't drink soda so neither should you".

lambda 11y ago
What I'm saying is that culturally, we need to shift away from thinking that sweets are something that should be consumed on a daily basis. Based on my personal experience, avoiding having sweet drinks on a daily basis can help you lose your sweet tooth; and thus be less compelled to consume more of other sweet things. Having cut out soda, I find I have a lower tolerance for sweet food in general. I'm less likely to order sweet and sour chicken, or foods that are glazed, or things with barbecue sauce, or honey-mustard dressings or dips. I have desserts less often, and when I do, split them more ways. As others have pointed out in this thread, most people have a sense that feeding caffeine or alcohol to kids is a bad idea; and even as adults, that they are things that should be consumed in moderation. They don't have coffee available in the school cafeteria. However, most people have no such sense about sugar, giving kids juice boxes, chocolate milks, and putting soda machines in schools for them to buy whenever they have a little extra allowance left over. While sugar-free soda is probably an improvement over soda with sugar in it, it still leaves you with that sweet tooth, and you're more likely to subconsciously keep consuming sugars in other forms.

NyxWulf 11y ago

I learned this from my doctor (who is a diabetic specialist), some years ago we were talking about how to form good habits for kids and my wife and I were avoiding caffeine beverages for the kids, but letting them have apple juice etc. His opinion based on the evidence is that he would much rather have our kids drink caffeine every day but stay away from the sugar. His specific point was that people on the internet point to unknown risks with aspartame or caffeine, but ignore the mountain of known risks associated with sugar. It was an eye opening discussion to say the least.