Sugar Addiction

[Xanth]

That's another thing really.
Just because it's Organic, doesn't mean it's healthy for you.

[Stookie_]

Yeah, my girlfriend and I are really trying to move towards preparing all fresh meals these days.

It's definitely tough, and takes a lot more time.  LoL

I used to think it was hard and expensive and time consuming, but once you get the hang of it, it's MUCH better and you won't go back. I have 2 types of meals I tend to prepare: 1) I'll cook a fairly big meal that makes 4 or 5 servings and then freeze what doesn't get eaten. Then I have some quicker meals ready to go later. And 2) something that is both quick and easy. Like when I get home from work I'll start marinating some pork, and when I get to broiling it later, I'll cook some corn and beans on the side (fresh, never canned, frozen only when there is no alternative), and maybe a salad. The whole meal only takes about 15 minutes total. Simple and easy and satisfying.

I had to learn to plan my meals before going to the grocery store, and stick only with what's on the list. I would say my main health vice is beer on the weekends. I like dark, heavy beer that has lots of calories. 

[Astir]

Too much sugar makes me tired...but no sugar makes me feel like I'm dying.  It's a struggle to find a happy medium.

[Xanth]

Too much sugar makes me tired...but no sugar makes me feel like I'm dying.  It's a struggle to find a happy medium.

The "makes me feel like I'm dying" is the addiction portion of sugar. 
It'll pass if you don't give in.

Our entire civilization are sugar addicts.

[Lexy]

Halloween is cruel to sugar addicts. 

[Lightning]

Halloween is cruel to sugar addicts. 

LOL


By the way, here are some videos of Tom Campbell discussing the effect sugar has on consciousness:

Workshop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CFo5ubfNsg

Interview (Parts I-III)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e082jsIe0Ak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcWGZXF89Ok
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIp8fjU7ItM

But I have to say, personally I try to consume moderate quantities. Taking absolutely all sugars out of one's diet sounds extreme to me, very complicated to manage (on many different levels) and probably not even worth the effort. Maybe the positive effect of a 100% sugar-free diet isn't that noticeable after all, and there could be some negative aspects also that Tom doesn't explain in detail.

[Xanth]

Yup, Tom relates the "consciousness" side of the equation.

He mentions that it's an all or nothing scenario for sugar and your consciousness.  His supposition is that you can't just cut down on sugar, you have to remove it completely to remove the effects of it from your consciousness.  While, I don't think it'll be possible for me to cut it out completely... I do notice that I am able to retain conscious awareness easier if I meditate/practice after a cup or two of Java. 

So I really don't know.

[Astir]

The "makes me feel like I'm dying" is the addiction portion of sugar. 
It'll pass if you don't give in.

Our entire civilization are sugar addicts.

Actually I rarely eat sugar, barely eat carbohydrates....probably less than anyone else posting in this thread. 
I have a metabolic condition and my energy will be compromised for the rest of my life no matter what I eat or avoid eating.  But in an emergency, I must eat any sugar I can get my shaky little hands on, or else seize.  Things are too complex to avoid it completely, but I can see how it might help some people.  Nothing is for everyone.

[Stookie_]

In an evolutionary outlook, our tastes for "sweet" comes from things like fruits and berries. We can get plenty of our needed glucose from fruit. It's added refined sugar in foods that's the main problem. It's crazy what they put sugar in these days. Things you wouldn't expect, like pre-packaged lasagne. They know it's addicting and you'll keep coming back for more.

[Lexy]

Sugar is in most processed foods...sugar is a drug, makes you feel high, then you crash, then you just want more.

[Astir]

Jeez...I kind of want to feel a sugar high. 

I have no concept of this.  I have literally never had one...but I'm a low energy creature, like a Galapagos tortoise.  I can drink 4-6 cups of coffee and feel nothing.  The only thing that can give me a spark of energy is adrenalin or premenstrual psychosis sometimes.  My mother never used to let me have anything with sugar, except for jam and frozen yogurt once in a great while...but even when she did give me sweets absolutely nothing happened to me.  My siblings on the other hand...would bounce off the walls.

[phxsun]

Honestly?  I think it's because fructose was just entirely the cheapest thing.  As per the doctor in the video, he says it was due to reducing the prices of food so that it wouldn't become an election issue during the Presidential election of the day.

Well with the price of food now a days, it WILL be an election issue this time!!!

[Lexy]

Astir, its all about the quantity...drink a pot of coffee, a few red bulls, and some chocolates, then you might feel something!!!!