Is sugar to blame for the obesity rates in this country? Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, say the sweet stuff is a big factor in the skyrocketing amount of obesity, diabetes, and other diseases. And they want to tax products with sugar. But is this really the answer?
The editorial, published in the journal Nature, says it’s time for regulators to put sugar in the same category as alcohol and cigarettes and put similar restrictions on its sale and availability.
I disagree.
Americans may need to cut back on sugar. And there is a lot of hidden sugar in many foods out there. But sugar is not the only thing causing the obesity epidemic. Should we also tax greasy burgers, pizza, and deep-fried everything-you-can-imagine? What about out-of-control portions, calorie-laden appetizers, and jumbo-sized this and that?
That would be a lot of taxing. And people would still eat whatever they wanted to eat.
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I agree with you – unless they are going to start taxing EVERYTHING, is there really a need to tax sugar?
Would people then switch to sugar substitutes which may have lower calories but could cause other health problems?
They should just make the price of fruits and veggies lower
Yes! That would be the best thing ever!!!
How about taxing companies that use sugar (or HFCS) in their products and do not let them raise the price on what the consumer pays? That would cut it back
By the way, for years I’ve believed that our lack of a relationship with Cuba was due to the sugar lobby!
Good idea – do you think the companies would go for it?
I agree – it is such a combo of things – sugar & calories & people just eating too much of everything & not educating themselves & some just not caring….
while I agree that sugar is not the main cause of the obesity epidemic, its a HUGE contributing factor. sugar has been shown to be an addictive substance, like many other recreational drugs. Obesity and all of the diseases related to the obesity epidemic are costing our country millions and millions of dollars every year in health care…and guess who is paying for it? All of us! I think this tax would be a good thing. We could use the revenue generated from this tax and put it towards supporting obesity prevention/health promotion programs, supporting healthy school lunch programs, or even towards subsidizing fruits and veggies instead of corn/soy, which are what got us into this obesity epidemic in the first place.
Hi! I have been checked out for a bit…you have me always keeping the thinking cap turning…I like it! I agree sugar is a HUGE problem (especially HFCS)within our fast paced, live in the now, get-it done yesterday society. Tax? My thought? Laura hit it right on the HEAD–> “I think this tax would be a good thing. We could use the revenue generated from this tax and put it towards supporting obesity prevention/health promotion programs, supporting healthy school lunch programs, or even towards subsidizing fruits and veggies instead of corn/soy, which are what got us into this obesity epidemic in the first place.”
Great dialogue!
Mark Salinas
Healthy Living Today
Hey Mark!!!
How the heck are you? Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Are you back at blogging again?