[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

” But also, anything with sugar or high fructose corn syrup.”

There's lots of evidence that HFCS is worse than sugar. Americans use a lot more HFCS than other nations, including Canada. The reason: corn production is subsidized, and there are trade barriers on sugar. Sugar is a lot cheaper here in Canada, because we don't have special trade barriers to protect the sugar industry (yes, we have a sugar industry). Therefore, food processors use more of it here, than they do in the U.S. For instance, soft drinks in the U.S. are sweetened with HFCS, while the same brands use sugar in Canada.

IOW, government interference in the market has created conditions leading to more obesity. The liberal answer? More government interference. Irony? (No, just more wrinkles.)

[stubernx98]

Simple solution: Charge people by the pound. Insurance rates based upon body mass index. Same for airlines, buses and taxis. No food stamps for those 10% over. etc.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

There's lots of evidence that HFCS is worse than sugar. Americans use a lot more HFCS than other nations, including Canada. The reason: corn production is subsidized, and there are trade barriers on sugar. Sugar is a lot cheaper here in Canada, because we don't have special trade barriers to protect the sugar industry (yes, we have a sugar industry). Therefore, food processors use more of it here, than they do in the U.S. For instance, soft drinks in the U.S. are sweetened with HFCS, while the same brands use sugar in Canada.

Also, soft drinks made with cane sugar taste noticeably better than soft drinks made with corn syrup. I was a skeptic but I've tried blind taste testing Mexican Coke vs. the local stuff. I could tell the difference. The Mexican Coke tastes lighter, crisper and doesn't leave a residue on my tongue. Now I buy bottles of Mexican coke at Costco. Added bonus - they come in real glass bottles with the classic Coke curves.

[ichabod1]

Interestingly, the special trade barriers set up to “protect” US sugar producers has pretty much led to the death of the industry in this country. It props the price up far higher than the cane can be grown here for, as price controls always do. Thus, Imperial and the other sugar companies have had to go overseas.