Is Food Getting Sweeter?

Warmer nights and longer days are finally here on the West Coast of Canada. We have an old plum tree in the back yard. Last year, I decided to follow my own advice and create a garden underneath the tree. I planted seed potatoes and watched the budding greens grow and mature into two-foot-high bushes. It seemed that every time a neighbor walked by the house, I was flogging potatoes. By the time the winter was upon us, we had all seen enough of my red little spuds! On top of that, I was giving away plum jam as Christmas gifts.

Gardening is a favorite hobby of many. But for some, gardening is considered a daunting task. I assert that today, more than ever before, we have some very strong arguments for taking the time to become home gardeners.

Consider the following article from Dr. Andrew Weil, MD.

If you’ve gotten the impression that more and more sugar is being added to common supermarket foods – you’re right.

A report in the May 6, 2007 London Sunday Times, based on an examination of an industry handbook on food composition, found that food companies have doubled the amount of sugar they add to their more popular products since 1978.

For example, in 1978, Kellogg’s Special K cereal had 9.6 grams of sugar per 100 grams. This has now nearly doubled to 17 grams. Some canned soups have shown a similar increase.

Interestingly, even fruits and vegetables are now sweeter, probably due to market pressures forcing growers to breed hybrids with higher sugar content. Between 1978 and 2002, the sugar in a banana rose from 16.2 grams per 100 grams to 20.9 grams; pears and carrots got sweeter by a similar percentage.

Is it any wonder that obesity and diabetes are becoming worldwide epidemics? The only rational response to this situation is to bypass the industrial food complex as much as possible.

Buy unprocessed foods from farmer’s markets and health food stores, and, if possible, select non-hybrid, heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables over modern hybrids, which are quickly becoming analogs of sugar beets.

Best choice of all: grow as much of your own food as you can.

I heartily agree with Dr. Weil. As consumers, we have less and less control about what we put into our bodies when we eat. The food industry has all the control.

Take back control and grow your own food; in the yard, on the balcony, at the local community garden... Don't wait until your body starts feeling tired and run down to change some of your daily habits. Making healthy and organic choices, along with taking high quality nutritional supplements, is like extra health insurance.

I haven't had a sick day in over 5 years and I wish the same for you and your family members. For more information on how to take control of your own health, read my free report Traditional Secrets from Mother Nature's Kitchen, How to Eat Healthy & Organic for $7 a Day.

To request my Free Report, send an e-mail to wellness-unlimited@hotmail.com.