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Now that food labels are required to disclose the amount of trans fat, the next step is to disclose the glycemic index (the rate at which the carbs are digested ino sugars) the higher the number, the less desireable. Then, folks need to be told what it means and why they should consider it when deciding what to eat.
Its disheartening how little attention is paid to what people put in their system. This is one instance where I would actually support a class action lawsuit to both fund public education and fund studies which lead to effective legislation addressing this emerging threat.
I wrestle with my 5 and 6 yo all the time about food choices. I let them eat what they want but spend a lot of time and effort teaching them the effects of the choices they make and avoid using scare words. I can't watch them all the time and need for them to at least think about it when I'm not around to advise them.
Folks really need to read labels - or just compare labels. Sometimes a small tradeoff in taste can make a huge difference nutritionally. If nothing else, go for the choice with the lower sat fat content and higher dietary fiber content. Also, I've noticed over the past year that food companies are trying to play cat-n-mouse with label readers. They splash "Whole Wheat" on the front but the ingredient list reveals that they are mixing a small percentage of whole wheat flour with bleached flour just to allow them to say made with Whole Wheat! Bread and Breakfast cereals are some of the biggest offenders of this.
Diabetes is going to ruin a lot of lives and its going to take a lot of lives before its all said and done.
We cannot ignore childhood obesity any longer.
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