So now sugar is the boogeyman, before it was carbs, and prior to that was fat (overweight, scan)

[LittleDolphin]

The average American consumes 152 pounds of sugar a year.

A modest amount of sugar is fine (imho)-- but eating your weight in sugar each year is kind of overdoing it, don't you think?

Sugar has no nutritive value and adds calories most of us don't need.

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by LittleDolphin

The average American consumes 152 pounds of sugar a year.

A modest amount of sugar is fine (imho)-- but eating your weight in sugar each year is kind of overdoing it, don't you think?

Sugar has no nutritive value and adds calories most of us don't need.

Sugar does have nutritive value and is easily absorbed and used by our bodies to provide energy.

Again, 4 calories per gram.

As to whether it’s needed or if we eat too much of it that’s a different issue.

[tickyul]

Just crazy, if sugar is so dang bad, why on earth is rich, thick, creamy chocolate-cake so good. Most people must hash this over in their brain-tissue, it causes cognitive-dissonance.........good and bad at the same time, what can I do?!?!?!?!

[LittleDolphin]

Originally Posted by markjames68

Sugar does have nutritive value and is easily absorbed and used by our bodies to provide energy.

Again, 4 calories per gram.

As to whether it’s needed or if we eat too much of it that’s a different issue.

Sugar has calories, but no nutritive value--it's empty calories:

https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/sweets/5592/2

[Screenwriter70]

I have sugar every morning in my coffee, I eat chocolate almost daily, and I consume large amounts of carbs like pasta, bread, potatoes, and rice. I work out 6 days a week, eat whatever I like in moderation. I believe in happiness, not deprivation. Gonna die anyway...might as well go out satisfied.

[LittleDolphin]

I don't think the discussion is about "no" sugar, but more about eating your body weight in sugar a year (152 lbs. for an average person) as many Americans do.

For instance, there's something like 16 teaspoons of sugar in a single soda...a bunch more than a teaspoon or two you might put in a cup of coffee...

Yep, moderation is the key. One glass of wine is relaxing and might even be good for us-- a bottle of bourbon each night, not so much.

[NJ Brazen_3133]

Originally Posted by vision33r

I would avoid eating sugar as much as possible because sugar is addictive. It releases dopamine which gives you that release or soothing or calming effect then make you crave more. Which is why very few people who eats sugar regularly can put a limit on themselves. Most people just indulge on it and get fat doing so and it leads to just about every bad thing with your health if you can't control your sugar tooth.

Carbs and sugar are interchangeable no? Can you too be addicted to bread or spaghetti?

Originally Posted by silibran

Yes. The OP is pretty late to that party.

Any more so than carbs and fat or alcohol?

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by LittleDolphin

Sugar has calories, but no nutritive value--it's empty calories:

https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/sweets/5592/2

Calories are calories. Carbs are carbs. Fats are fats. And so on.

If you mean there are no vitamins or minerals in sucrose I’d agree with you but it still has nutritional value.

[LittleDolphin]

Originally Posted by markjames68

Calories are calories. Carbs are carbs. Fats are fats. And so on.

If you mean there are no vitamins or minerals in sucrose I’d agree with you but it still has nutritional value.

Yes, that's what I mean..sucrose is empty calories. Yes, sugar is a carb...but eating only sugar will not sustain life. One would sicken and die.

A potato is a carb, too. But one can live solely on potatoes..they have elements (vitamins, minerals, fiber) that sustain life...

[NJ Brazen_3133]

Originally Posted by LittleDolphin

Yes, that's what I mean..sucrose is empty calories. Yes, sugar is a carb...but eating only sugar will not sustain life. One would sicken and die.

A potato is a carb, too. But one can live solely on potatoes..they have elements (vitamins, minerals, fiber) that sustain life...

But if you only have the vitamins, minerals, and fibers, and no calories wouldnt it be the same?

Or does vitamins, and minerals and fiber provide calories too?