For the most part, people are attacked by a sweet tooth on a regular basis; it is in our nature. I know I certainly am. Whether it be a Hershey's almond bar, a large bag of Sour Patch watermelons, or a personal tub of cookie dough ice cream, I have a difficult time resisting. Sugary foods and snacks are certainly a guilty pleasure for children, teens, adults, and the elderly. However, what we fail to realize is that there are health risks these delicious treats may lead to, and how they can affect us in the future.
According to an article by BBC News, a group of scientists have advised to minimize the recommended daily intake of sugar by half of its current consumption. This may seem somewhat bizarre even to those individuals that do not consume as much sugar, but we must consider the long term effect of this change, and that being a positive one unquestionably.
In the article it discussed that people consume twice of the daily limit recommended. I personally estimate that my sugar intake is most likely triple of that, and it is certainly not acceptable.
Obesity, diabetes, and dental issues are major problems in the United States. Eating and/or drinking sugary foods are great components of these diseases, reducing how much we fill ourselves with can and will make all of the difference. Think about how many cavities can be avoided solely from cutting down on a bag of Skittles.
Sugar being completely excluded from our diets is presumably difficult because there are sugars found naturally in the milk we drink and the fruits we eat. I know I need my daily fruit intake, and who can say not to a piece of a birthday cake once in a while. As shown in this survey from the BBC News article, we consume more than 25 grams of sugar, with teens being the leaders. This is why the percentage of obesity is so high in the United States. This comes from "free sugars," which are those from our indulgences. This is not healthy at all and we must face and solve this health obstacle.
Can we handle the change of cutting our sugar intake in half if this regulation were to be implemented? Of course we can! I am not saying it will be a walk in the park, but we will not fall off the swing. Have a Reese's Pieces cup once every other week instead of once every day to begin, eventually you will adapt. Indeed, withdrawals will appear but you will get through it. Besides there are other delicious foods to devour in your refrigerator. Yes, go eat that chicken burrito. Soon enough we will realize that there is more to life than a Nutella-filled donut, I promise. Most importantly, do not forget that "health is wealth."
