Do they need to put sugar in that?
Let's talk about our sweet obsession
As a chef I love to cook and play around with new ingredients, but take a look at any random product on the grocery store shelf, there's a good chance that it contains at least some added sugar. It seems that a wide variety of our everyday foods are laden with this sweet substance.
In The United States, our foods have been getting sweeter and sweeter. Why? Are our palates acclimating to the already obscene levels of sugar in our foods? Personally, I have tried to eliminate adding sugar to my diet, however, this has become a very difficult task when there is sugar hidden in quite a bit of the items that we call food. This has led me to wonder, how many foods are actually good for you, and how many are just poison?
Sure, we all know that cookies, cakes, and pies, as well as other sweet treats, contain sugar, but what about foods that are not considered to be “sweets”. Today I am going to attempt to delve into the reasons behind the sweetness overload in American foods and explore the historical and cultural factors that have contributed to this phenomenon.
It has been known for years that American foods are packed with sugar, and it’s no secret that the American palate can’t get enough of it. The abundance of sugary foods has raised concern with public health officials as foods high in sugar can be associated with such diseases as diabetes, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. I touched on this topic in the article below.
School Lunch Revolution
Picture a world where culinary innovation and student well-being go hand in hand, a revolution is brewing in school cafeterias across the nation. From innovative programs to sustainable ingredients, let’s take a look at what we’re doing to provide better school lunches for our kids.
If we ever want to get ourselves going down a healthier path we first need to look at how we arrived at our sugary destination in the first place and what are some historical factors that led us here.
To understand the sugary nature of American foods, we first must travel back in time. Historically, sugar has been a highly valued commodity. During colonial times, sugar production was predominantly based on slave labor, and its consumption was considered a luxury for the rich. Over time, advancements in technology and trade made sugar more affordable and accessible to a wider population.
Moreover, in the mid-20th century, the United States experienced an economic boom. This happened to lead to an increase in consumer spending power. Food manufacturers recognized the demand for convenience and tastiness, which propelled them to incorporate more sugar into their products. Sugar was not only a flavor enhancer but also served as a preservative, which extended the shelf life of processed foods.
How has sugar played a role in American culture and how has American culture played a role in the consumption of sugar? American culture has played a significant role in shaping the sugary landscape of its foods. The notion of sweetness has become intertwined with celebrations, comfort, and reward systems. From birthday cakes to holiday desserts, sugary treats have become synonymous with special occasions and indulgence. It’s a celebration and sugar is always invited!
In addition to sugary treats being eaten every time we have something to celebrate, marketing and advertising have greatly influenced consumer behavior. Companies are employing extensive research techniques to create products that cater to our innate preference for sweetness. Advertisements are targeting children and adults alike, promoting sugary snacks as symbols of happiness and pleasure. This marketing approach has successfully ingrained the association between sugary foods and positive emotions.
The food industry's practices have also contributed to the prevalence of sugar in American foods. Firstly, sugar is a cheap ingredient, making it an attractive choice for manufacturers to enhance taste and increase consumer appeal. The "bliss point" concept, developed by food scientist Howard Moskowitz, suggests that there is an optimal level of sweetness that maximizes consumer preference. Food companies strive to hit this point, creating hyper-palatable foods and intense flavors that keep consumers coming back again and again, like they say, you can’t eat just one. This idea not only applies to sweet foods but to savory snacks like chips and crackers as well.
With food engineering making significant advances, this has allowed for the production of highly palatable and addictive food products. We have all seen the videos for “crack chicken” suggesting that these types of foods are hyper-palatable as well as highly addicting. After all, was "crack” ever a good idea? No, it wasn’t.
When sugar is combined with fat it creates a potent combination that triggers various pleasure centers in the brain. This "hyper palatability" makes it very difficult for individuals, especially children to resist consuming sugary foods in excess, leading to potential overconsumption and associated health issues.
The regulation of sugar in the United States definitely presents some challenges. The food industry has vehemently resisted stricter regulations, citing issues of personal choice and individual responsibility. However, there have been efforts to raise awareness and implement changes. Nutritional labeling requirements are now mandating the inclusion of added sugars on food packaging, allowing consumers to make better-informed choices.
The sweetness found in American foods can be attributed to a combination of historical, cultural, and industrial factors. The availability of sugar, combined with aggressive marketing tactics, has led to the development of a hyper-palatable food culture that seems to favor sweet foods. However, as awareness of the health risks associated with excessive sugar intake grows, efforts are being made to educate consumers and regulate the food industry.
The aggressive marketing of sugar-laden products and their inexpensive availability have blurred the lines between what is healthy and what is not so healthy. It can be very hard to tell which products are packed to the gills with sugar and which products aren’t, especially when food manufacturers often use covert tactics to disguise the sugar content in their products.
However, by paying close attention to product labels, and making more informed choices, you, the consumer will be able to better understand and navigate the labyrinth of what is good for you and what you should stay far away from.
I wish all of you good luck with your healthy food choices!
At the end of the day, we Americans are still British to our cores. We brought their love for sugar over, and it persisted through our nation's formation. In addition, since that slave labor brought sugar to white folks at a much more affordable rate, our white citizens became addicted quickly.
You've brought into focus here that we are truly bombarded by sugar in most everything we eat , most of us from the time we were babies. Many of us I'm guessing became addicted to sugar before being educated as to it's damaging effects, making it difficult to fight the craving.