I just returned from a trip to Ireland and thought I would do a post on reading labels and keeping one's blood glucose levels under control. I have been a BIG advocate of reading labels on all packaged and canned food products before you purchase.
While in Ireland, I read an article from "The Irish Daily Mail" paper in the April 7th, 2014 issue. The article was entitled "LOW FAT FOOD IS A MAJOR CON JOB" AND WAS WRITTEN BY Aisling Scally and Sean Poulter.
The gist of the article was that many popular low-fat foods have been condemned as a "Con Job" after a shocking study found they contain MORE sugar that their higher fat counter part foods. A prime example would be "Whole Milk (vs.) Skim or fat free milk. Another item to be aware of is that sugar is often used in labels as ENERGY and comes with an RDA (Recommended Daily Amount for an adult) formula.
In examining several packaged food products from cookies, crackers and pies, most cereals and other pre-packaged foods, the adult recommended daily amount of (SUGAR or energy?) is 90 grams. While I have no argument that sugar provides energy, it must be understood that excess sugar which is NOT burned as daily fuel ends up being stored in the liver as fat and can and does lead to type 2 diabetes, over weight, heart disease and a host of other ailments.
SEE LINK:
http://pacificfit.net/article-archive/how-sugar-makes-you-fat/
The article mentions that Dublin City University lecturer Doctor Catherine Woods said the chances of children developing SERIOUS illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer have significantly increased because they are so unhealthy.
On page 4 of the article, it mentions that dieters are misled into thinking that low fat equals healthy. In fact as mentioned in this BLOG many times, saturated fat is NOT bad for you. The Eskimo's for ages existed primarily on whale blubber and the incidence of cancer, heart disease etc. is practically non-existent.
The truth is that many so called LOW FAT foods are HIGHER in sugar than their higher fat counterpart foods.
Examples given:
Starbucks Skinny blueberry muffins 34.7 grams of sugar while the classic version blueberry muffin contains only 28.1 grams ( 34.7 grams of sugar is equal to 8.6 teaspoons of sugar per the article) If you do that math, then the recommended 90 grams of sugar (or energy if you prefer) equates to 22.3 teaspoons of sugar.
Heinz weight watcher chicken soup contains 4.4 grams of sugar while the classic cream of chicken soup contains 3.2 grams
Tesco 25% LESS FAT peanut butter contains 2 grams of sugar per serving while the smooth peanut butter .8 grams
..........and on it goes. The bottom line is that low fat does NOT mean less sugar and does NOT mean good health.
Moving on to another article in the same paper by Rualdhri Giblin entitled "Our Children Will Live 5 years LESS" than their parents because of dietary issues and lack of exercise etc.
Research has shown that overweight children have shortened life-expectancy and their chances of developing serious illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, stroke, certain types of cancers and shortened life expectancy are SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED.
The bottom line here is that in order to avoid these situations one should monitor their intake and their children's intake of sugar in its many forms. Remember simply carbohydrates turn to sugar quikly in your digestive track and unburned sugar ends up as fat.
Here is a LINK to a website that will give you an idea of how much exercise is needed daily to burn the sugar you have consumed. I cannot imagine anyone other than perhaps marathon runners who could burn off 90 grams of refined sugar every day. In saying that I am not suggesting that 90 grams of sugar is okay for long distance runners either. Their are much better food choices.
http://authoritynutrition.com/how-much-sugar-per-day/
Dan
"You cannot do a kindness to soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Here is a test to do to find out whether your mission on Earth is finished: If you are alive, it ISN'T" Richard Bach
(Psalms 6:2 NKJV) Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled
(Psalms 30:2 NKJV) O LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.
(Psalms 107:20 NKJV) He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.
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