I’ve been doing a lot of reading (and watching) of late on the above topic. Much of what I have come across is not new to me but much was rather startling. The conclusion? The main causes of the obesity and DM2 epidemics in this country (and around the world), are the government (FDA) and Big Food (corporate food giants) pushing unhealthy “food” on the public…deliberately.

I thought that it was interesting that as I’ve been doing this reading, a couple of articles popped up on the LibertyDaily front page today regarding this issue.

https://usrtk.org/ultra-processed-foods/diabetes/

https://usrtk.org/ultra-processed-foods/addictive/

In a nutshell, sugar (specifically fructose) is the devil. It is physically addictive, causes insulin resistance, and tons of it are added knowingly to processed foods.

This video by Robert Lustig, MD, does a very deep dive into this topic for those interested. He’s a card carrying leftist and does let his politics spill over into his presentation, but I urge you to let that go. You can’t argue with the physiology and he is right on with that.

https://youtu.be/dBnniua6-oM?si=RfYAxzGPWTYU2RjR

He came out with a second recorded presentation several years past this one called Fructose 2.0 which also contains good information (and leftist politics )

Again, pay attention to the topic at hand rather than the distraction.

Beginning 100 years ago when Proctor and Gamble pushed the poison Crisco onto the world and demonized animal fats, whilst getting in bed with the government, Americans’ health has steadily declined, dropping off the cliff since the ‘70s.

The moral of the story? Limit sugar (fructose) intake, throw away seed/vegetable oils, eat homemade meals and avoid any processed foods.

[ETA: It seems I can’t get the video to embed on my iPad. It is called “Sugar: The Bitter Truth” on YouTube. I’ll try to edit it in when I get home]

Yes Robert Lustig's videos are a good watch.

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[ETA: It seems I can’t get the video to embed on my iPad. It is called “Sugar: The Bitter Truth” on YouTube. I’ll try to edit it in when I get home]

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The conclusion? The main causes of the obesity and DM2 epidemics in this country (and around the world), are the government (FDA) and Big Food (corporate food giants) pushing unhealthy “food” on the public…deliberately.

I don't disagree with your assertions of what healthy food is.
The tools to educate ourselves is much easier now days, we do not have to rely on government or believe company ads.

Not so simple as "pushing unhealthy" food but I look at it more as two fold:
1) many organizations (government and civilian) fail to recognize what healthy food is due to either ignorance or from a conflict of interest.
2) Big food companies sell there products not push (implying we have no choice).

It is up to us not them to be responsible for our own health.

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Originally posted by Gustofer:
The main causes of the obesity and DM2 epidemics in this country (and around the world), are the government (FDA) and Big Food (corporate food giants) pushing unhealthy “food” on the public…deliberately.

True, but UPFs (Ultra-Processed Foods) are only one of three causes--the other two being too much food and too little physical activity.

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Originally posted by Gustofer:
In a nutshell, sugar (specifically fructose) is the devil. It is physically addictive, causes insulin resistance, and tons of it are added knowingly to processed foods.

Also true, but sugar isn't the only culprit.

Check this out:


(My favorite protein powder, Optimum Nutrition, contains this stuff.)

Essentially all UPFs are stripped of vital nutrients and loaded with a bunch of additives that simply aren't good for you.

Btw: Sugar, real sugar, in moderation isn't a problem. The key word being moderation. I actually started getting off the sugar addiction years ago, at my wife's urging. Now, many things I used to just love taste unpalatably sweet.

^^^
The problem for most is there is no such thing as moderation when it comes to sugar. It’s so addictive. If I eat a small piece of chocolate I will eat every piece within my reach. Same with carbs. If I eat carbs I crave more carbs.

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Originally posted by frayedends:
^^^
The problem for most is there is no such thing as moderation when it comes to sugar. It’s so addictive. If I eat a small piece of chocolate I will eat every piece within my reach. Same with carbs. If I eat carbs I crave more carbs.

Not only is it dopaminergic, it also contains nothing to trigger the hormone that tells your brain, "That's enough, I'm full."

I gave up all sugar no more coke cola, fast food, processed food, ice cream, candy, cake etc. I'm down 12 lbs since January. it takes some getting use to but its like an addict got to just take it one day at a time. my wife can cook some delicious food enough so I would stuff myself, now I eat healthy and just what's on my plate get up and go find something to do instead of eating or thinking about eating.

When my oldest son was about 11 months old we went to a birthday party for a friend's child, who was 1. Up to that point in my son's life he had only consumed breast milk and good baby food. No adult food and no processed crap.

But on this occasion he had a piece of birthday cake, and I'll never forget his first bite of cake with icing on it. He made a squenched up face, like what the hell, like I'd imagine if he had been given a handful of salt.

To the unindoctrinated that pure sugar icing was as nasty as anything.

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Originally posted by frayedends:
^^^
The problem for most is there is no such thing as moderation when it comes to sugar. It’s so addictive. If I eat a small piece of chocolate I will eat every piece within my reach. Same with carbs. If I eat carbs I crave more carbs.

People just don't have enough of the will power molecules in storage to call up at a moment's notice.

Moderation really is the best policy. I do agree sugar is incredibly addictive...I eat it like candy!

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Originally posted by frayedends:
The problem for most is there is no such thing as moderation when it comes to sugar.

If somebody has so little self-control that, when given the opportunity, they can't help but gorge themselves on sugary treats they might be well advised to avoid them altogether--just as an alcoholic is obliged to shun alcohol and ex-smokers must shun that one cigarette.

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Originally posted by frayedends:
If I eat carbs I crave more carbs.

I presume, by this, you mean simple or highly-refined carbs? That is the nature of high glycemic index foods. That is one reason they're best consumed only in moderation--or avoided entirely.

I love sugar but will east just so much of it as in bakery goods, ice cream, etc and just occasionally.

Being on a high protein diet might help but not sure. I am never really that hungry these days and my usual snack food is almonds.

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Originally posted by ensigmatic:

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Originally posted by frayedends:
The problem for most is there is no such thing as moderation when it comes to sugar.

If somebody has so little self-control that, when given the opportunity, they can't help but gorge themselves on sugary treats they might be well advised to avoid them altogether--just as an alcoholic is obliged to shun alcohol and ex-smokers must shun that one cigarette.

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Originally posted by frayedends:
If I eat carbs I crave more carbs.

I presume, by this, you mean simple or highly-refined carbs? That is the nature of high glycemic index foods. That is one reason they're best consumed only in moderation--or avoided entirely.

Yeah I have to skip sugar altogether. Now, to say I have no self control, well, I guess. But it's just a trigger in my brain that keeps saying "Oh I'll just have one more piece."

As for carbs, well any carbs that are somewhat refined. Rice, pasta, bread, etc. When I fall off the wagon from my keto diet I fall very far off.

I cut my Costco bill by 3/4 when I went on my diet.

75% of the food they sell is no bueno for good nutrition

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Originally posted by XLT:
I gave up all sugar no more coke cola, fast food, processed food, ice cream, candy, cake etc. I'm down 12 lbs since January. it takes some getting use to but its like an addict got to just take it one day at a time. my wife can cook some delicious food enough so I would stuff myself, now I eat healthy and just what's on my plate get up and go find something to do instead of eating or thinking about eating.

Congratulations sir. Been preaching this for years. Cut out sugar, processed foods, and definitely restaurant food, but especially fast food. I mean 1-2 times per week, go for it, but keep portions in control. Being at a healthy weight is actually super easy. Follow the above. Make your own food. Can’t cook, and need a meal? Even fast food joints all have a grilled chicken salad. Sugar soda, fast food, processed food and sugar need to go. You can get natural sugar through fruit. Fruit has so much fiber it offsets the sugar. Diabetic, then follow your doctor’s or nutritionist’s advice.

Then there is controlling portions. I’ve eaten small, 500 calorie meals for over 30 years. I eat frequently, and since the metabolism learns, well when it’s timed meals, every 3-4 hours, the body stores less fat because it knows another meal is coming shortly. Irregular eating habits, or irregular meal times will just throw your metabolism off, and store fat unless you are purposely fasting. I just had to explain this to my wig splitter. She keeps putting on weight and when I asked how often she eats she said “once per day”. That type of thing is only going to work for very few people.

I heard a term long ago that really resonated with me.
"Food Like Product"
The producers of so much of what fills the grocery stores isn't real food. It's food like product. Big profit margins, in cahoots with big pharma, just evil? Not sure of their motive or motives to knowingly poison us.
It is pretty telling that a 6 year old can legally buy a sugar filled carb bomb from Starcucks that will lead them to diabeetus but it's illegal for a consenting adult to buy raw milk from a neighbor.

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Originally posted by grumpy1:
Being on a high protein diet might help but not sure.

It will for most people in part because:

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Originally posted by grumpy1:
I am never really that hungry these days ...

A funny thing about learning to eat less and stop the incessant snacking: Eventually you get used to it.

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Originally posted by grumpy1:
... and my usual snack food is almonds.

If you're going to snack you could do worse. (Personally, I prefer peanuts, cashews, or pistachios.)

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Originally posted by frayedends:
Yeah I have to skip sugar altogether. Now, to say I have no self control, well, I guess. But it's just a trigger in my brain that keeps saying "Oh I'll just have one more piece."

Learn to say "no." Trust me: The more you do that the easier it will get.

You really aren't unique in this respect. Simple/refined carbs are addictive.

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Originally posted by frayedends:
When I fall off the wagon from my keto diet I fall very far off.

We all have our crosses to bear. Luckily, for me, this isn't one of mine. Home-cooked meals nearly always include meat or fish, a vegetable or vegetables, and potato or rice.

I've persuaded my wife to go easy on the carbs because I'm trying to gain, or, when I'm cutting, preserve, lean mass and I want to devote as many calories as reasonably possible to protein. But we eat balanced meals.

Heck: I even still have a short glass of orange juice (not particularly healthy, btw, despite what "they" tell you) with my morning protein bar and cup of yogurt, and I still enjoy a small bit of chocolate with my after-dinner coffee, and still drop fat when I'm on a cut.

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Originally posted by bendable:
I cut my Costco bill by 3/4 when I went on my diet.

75% of the food they sell is no bueno for good nutrition

No worse than any run-of-the-mill supermarket and, if you shop carefully, there are actually quite a few things you can find there with good macros.

These are things that have helped me so I'll share them in hopes someone may benefit.

1. I'm not on a "diet". I made a conscious decision to eat a certain way and that's that. Forever but one day at a time.

2. No "food Like Products" in my home. Only natural foods with the nutrition I want is brought into the house.

3. I have a very short list of places I'll go out to eat at and I know what to get before I go. This avoids the temptations of looking over a menu.

4. Meal prep makes my life way easier. I make a week's worth of breakfast shake ingredients I measure out into 16oz mason jars. Every morning I just dump one in the blender and I have all the nutrients and energy I'll need til lunch without having to cook anything. I plan out what the dinner menu will be for the week also. This makes it so I only have to go to the store once a week as well. Lunches are always some rendition of leftovers from the night before.

Our food is poison.