Vegans, health and sugar

[Tigerlily]

She'll get all offended be like, "I try my best to get you vegan stuff" blah blah blah. She's not a very rational woman.

[Kirska]

Opionion:

Stay away from: Artificial sweeteners (ANYTHING that you can't find growing on a plant, extract from a plant without machines, etc. "Derived from" is a key word to look for.), white sugar, powdered sugar, confectioner's anything, fructos, etc. (BTW, fructos is essentially a plant-sugar...and yet, like most things, once tampered with has become almost meaningless to our body's nutritional side.)
Also, if you're the type that uses honey, don't trust "grade A". Buy organic honey. It's expensive, but just for the word "organic", you're promised a purer product. Doesn't mean they'll deliver, but the FDA here in the USA is picky about most of their organic products, so it's a good bet.

Also, the words "All natural", "Natural flavor", etc are worthless. Disregard those words and shop for a pure, clean, genuine item rather than one that's "all natural". (To companies making money, anything can be NATURALLY DERIVED from anything.)

What to look for: I've had a grand 'ole time with stevia, evaporated cane juice (far more useful than normal cane sugar or processed, bleached white sugar), maple syrup (expensive!), and honey. If you're the type that has little money but needs sweet tea, stevia's awesome. You can find stevia exctract crystals alone and bare, by themselves for...bah, maybe $6 a small container. However, this stuff'll last you for light use daily in tea and coffee for like a year. It's even good for topical use!

Be careful when listening to the possitives and negatives on specific types of foods and products. Make sure to test things out for yourself (if it's practical to do for your person) and choose what works best for you. With all of the money floating around between rumors, I'd say it's better to go with your 'gut' instinct. : P

[Kirska]

Hey tigerlily, my mom used to be the same way. When I lived near her, I'd receive baked goodies all of the time. Usually I'd take a few bites to satisfy her and when she left I'd give them away to friends (who would then tell me how hot my mom was and that they liked her cooking...).

How'd I try to solve the problem? I told her that my new religion forbade the use of all 'derived' sweeteners, and that the only sweet foods I was allowed to eat were plant foods!

...It didn't work. I hope you can make it work. ._. I still have to give the silly things away.

[Korn]

Hi, here's some more stuff about sugar and bone char:

excerpt from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_char :

Bone char is used to remove fluoride from water and to filter aquarium water.
It is often used in the sugar refining industry for decolorizing (a process patented by Louis Constant in 1812). This leads to worries from vegans and vegetarians, since about a quarter of the sugar in the US is processed using bone char as a filter (about half of all sugar from sugar cane is processed with bone char, the rest with activated carbon). As bone char does not get into the sugar, sugar processed this way is considered parve/Kosher.

Excerpt from http://www.vrg.org/journal/vj97mar/973sugar.htm :

Refined sugar is avoided by some vegetarians because its processing may involve a bone char filter. An activated carbon filter, sometimes made of bone char, decolorises sugar to make it white through an absorption process. While the bone char filter is used by some major sugar companies, it is not used to produce all refined sugar.
The two major types of refined sugar produced in the United States are beet sugar and cane sugar. Cane sugar is mainly grown in Florida, California, Louisiana, Hawaii and Texas. Beet sugar is grown in states located in the middle part of the U.S. Much sugar cane is actually imported.

According to beet sugar producers, beet and cane sugar are nutritionally equivalent and one cannot usually taste any difference between them. They are both composed of sucrose. The production and sale of each type of sugar are approximately equal (1).

Beet sugar refineries never use a bone char filter in processing because this type of sugar does not require an extensive decolorising procedure. Beet sugar can be refined with a pressure lead filter and an ion exchange system. Beet sugar is popular in the Midwest because it is grown in this area. It is often labeled Granulated Sugar. Beet sugar is becoming more prevalent in the United States because the Federal government subsidises this industry.

Almost all cane sugar refineries require the use of a specific filter to decolorise the sugar and absorb inorganic material from it. This whitening process occurs towards the end of the sugar refining procedure. The filter may be either bone char, granulated carbon, or an ion exchange system. The granular carbon has a wood or coal base, and the ion exchange does not require the use of any animal products (2).

Bones from cows are the only type used to make bone char. According to the Sugar Association and several large sugar producers, all of the cows have died of "natural causes" and do not come from the U.S. meat industry. Bone char cannot be produced or bought in the United States (3).

Excerpt from http://www.vegfamily.com/articles/sugar.htm :

Bone char, made from the bones of cows, is at times used to whiten sugar. Some sugar companies use it in filters to decolorize their sugar. Other types of filters involve granular carbon or an ion exchange system rather than bone char.

The following sugar companies DO NOT use bone-char filters:
Florida Crystals Refinery
P.O. Box 86
South Bay, FL 33493
407-996-9072
Labels: Florida Crystals

Refined Sugars Incorporated
One Federal St.
Yonkers, NY 10702
914-963-2400
Labels: Jack Frost, Country Cane, 4# Flow-Sweet
Pillsbury
Makes powdered brown sugar

Supreme Sugar Company (subsidiary of Archer Daniels Midland)
P.O. Box 56009
New Orleans, LA 70156
504-831-0901
Labels: Supreme, Southern Bell, Rouse's Markets


Excerpt from http://www.vegan.org/FAQs/index.html

Is refined sugar vegan? It depends on how you define 'vegan.' Refined sugars do not contain any animal products, and so by an ingredients-based definition of vegan, refined sugar is vegan. However, some refined sugar is processed with animal bone char. The charcoal is used to remove color, impurities, and minerals from sugar. The charcoal is not 'in' the sugar, but is used in the process as as a filter. Thus by a process-based definition of vegan, refined sugar may not be considered vegan. For those who would prefer not to use refined sugar, there are several alternatives: raw, turbinado, beet sugar, succanat, date sugar, fructose, barley malt, rice syrup, corn syrup, molasses, and maple syrup.

However, if one accepts a process-based definition of vegan, then many other familiar products would also not be considered vegan. For instance, steel and vulcanized rubber are produced using animal fats and, in many areas, groundwater and surface water is filtered through bone charcoal filters. So, is a box of pasta that contains no animal products, but has transported to the store in a steel truck on rubber wheels and then cooked in boiling water at your home, vegan? Under a process-based definition, possibly not. But according to such a definition, it would be difficult to find any products in this country that are vegan.

Excerpt from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/45207/switching_to_natural_sugar.html

There are typically 26 different kinds of sweeteners commonly used in foods. These include granulated sugar, brown sugar, Splenda and sweeteners such as Sweet and Low. White sugar (the kind you commonly use in baking) and natural granulated sugar is not quite the same thing. White sugar is bleached and processed. Natural sugar is not. In fact, if you are a vegetarian, you might be interested to know that about 25 percent of all white sugar is refined using the animal bone-char process. It is not easy to tell which brands are or are not processed this way. In addition, when white sugar is processed, it is bleached, which is not necessary. In case you are wondering, light and dark brown sugars are also not the same as the brown/tan natural sugar. It is simple white sugar that has been mixed with molasses.

So what are the advantages of natural sugar? Natural or raw sugar is not processed at all. For those who are concerned about his or her health, this is a big advantage. This sugar, which is tan in color, is not bleached. Also, since the bone-char process is not used, it is a perfect alternative for those living a vegetarian lifestyle.

[cookey]

Ages ago I had intolerance testing and one of things that came up was sugar. I avoided it for a while and now have not too much. Generally sweeten with other things but will have cakes every now and then.
After making too much icing/frosting for my vegan cupcakes, I ate LOADS of sugar on Saturday.
Today I have managed to scream and shout at both my dad and elder daughter and had my brother put the phone down on me after I called him a lazy bastard. This was followed by me kicking and punching the cupboards and doors and generally feeling like I wanted to have a fight!
I used to eat loads of sugar when I was a younger person and often felt more agressive and angry with people. Although I was also often up partying and taking drugs, so it's hard to know which it was.
I am honestly suprised that I had such a strong reaction, but I did eat loads. I will definately be rationing my intake in future!

[Stezzy]

I'm very intolerant to sugar. I had a bit of a binge 2 weekends ago and came out in hives all over my skin, which still haven't faded. I have a candida problem which may well be to blame. I know I shouldn't eat sugar but I'm so addicted to it. I'm trying to follow an anticandida diet at the moment (cutting out sugar and yeast, including fruit) but not easy for a sugar addict. Reading about how harmful sugar is is helping a little though.

[ckatgo]

Hello everyone!

I was researching a possible reason for my cronic depression and general unstable moods when I came across this thread. I currently am eating a very high sugar diet and have been wondering if sugar has not been the cause of most of my problems. I am going of not have any sugar for a few days and see what happens, I may have to gradually reduce myself off it and see what happens.

But wow...it never occured to me that sugar can cause all that!!! :eek:


metta,
kat

[Korn]

currently am eating a very high sugar diet and have been wondering if sugar has not been the cause of most of my problems. You are not alone! Look here (http://www.afpafitness.com/articles/CutSugar.html):

Many doctors, nutritionists, and researchers consider refined sugar a major nemesis of American
health. Nevertheless, sugar is, hands down, America's number one food additive. Would you believe that we consume ten times more of it than we do all the other 2,600 or so food additives put together!

The one exception is salt, but even it runs a very distant second. Every year the typical American consumes between 120 and 150 pounds of refined sugar. That translates to overone third of a pound a day, 600-plus calories of teeth-rotting, health destroying sweetness. Sort of a contradiction in terms. Even if you don't eat sweets, the amount of refined sugar you may be consuming would no doubt shock you.

Over two thirds of the refined sugar used in this country is added to manufactured food products. In other words, it's hidden in many of the things we buy at the supermarket. For instance, did you know that a tablespoon of ketchup contains a full teaspoon of sugar?




...I may have to gradually reduce myself off it and see what happens.
A gradual reduction sounds like a good idea.

[lapsed_omnivore]

Okay, so I sort of wanted to cut down on my refined sugar. I am just at a loss. My body "craves" a dessert every day and fruit really doesn't cut it. :( In fact, eating some fruit for a dessert craving will only make the craving worse. I end up going overboard and eating 15 cookies in 5 minutes. :(

I don't know what to use in my tea. I tried stevia and it tates gross. I'm going to start using agave nectar although that's still a sugar but not as "horrible" as white refined sugar.

When I went vegan in November I also gave up sugar/processed foods/e numbers (additives) and coffee. The only two things I craved were sugar and coffee. Coffee I'd given up a number of times before so i knew that if I got through the initial cravings then they would go away. Sugar was harder though. It's one of the most addictive substances there is (apparently more addictive than cocaine). I found that I'd get these huge sugar cravings that made me feel unwell and really stopped me from doing anything. They were quite crippling really. What I did to deal with them is eat dates. I had a big bag of dried dates and I'd eat a few. This would remove the cravings and after using this technique for a while the cravings went away.

The thing is sugar addiction is like alcoholism. Once you quit you have to stay off it otherwise it'll just take you over again (it's the same with caffeine). It's not as hard as you think though. I live in a house full of sugary foods/dairy/meat/coffee and resist them all. It's really down to your body craving what you eat. Once you cut something out completely the cravings go away. It takes time sometimes but your body will adjust. :)

[Hemlock]

I can't cope with sugar at all! After two small glasses of wine I not only feel so p*ssed I can't stand but also have to go straight to bed to sleep it off:eek:
The older you get the less sugar you can tolerate.
If I have to use sugar we use molasses or unrefined - but very rarely unless making a cake for guests or whatever.
Sweetners went in the bin a while back, best to manage without.
When I ate sugar I often suffered from exhaustion and weakness after the initial rush.

[Maisiepaisie]

I don't know what to use in my tea. I tried stevia and it tates gross. I'm going to start using agave nectar although that's still a sugar but not as "horrible" as white refined sugar.
I gave up sugar in my tea ages ago. I always thought tea tasted gross without sugar but I was determined to get used to it. I started by switching to maple syrup but it was expensive so I cut it out all together. Now I just drink rooibus tea without sugar. I can't stand sugar in my tea or even normal tea anymore. It took 3-4 months for it to happen but its amazing how your taste buds change if you persevere.

[aubergine]

That's interesting Masiepasie. I think I'll try my Rooibos without sugar. I've stopped adding sugar to pretty much everything else.

[Tigerlily]

I gave up sugar in my tea ages ago. I always thought tea tasted gross without sugar but I was determined to get used to it. I started by switching to maple syrup but it was expensive so I cut it out all together. Now I just drink rooibus tea without sugar. I can't stand sugar in my tea or even normal tea anymore. It took 3-4 months for it to happen but its amazing how your taste buds change if you persevere.

Thank you. :)

[cherylglistner]

Hi everyone!

I've actually read about how sugar is an unnecessary evil in this really cool book called Food of the Gods (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780553371307&itm=5) by Terrence McKenna (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terence_McKenna). It basically theorizes that modern slavery (by which I mean slavery in the 1700 - 1800s) was brought about due to the popularity of sugar and the need for cheap labor to farm and distribute sugar. Aside from the social consequences of mass sugar consumption, he points out that refined sugar has next-to-no nutritional value. Many doctors have argued that sugar, along with high-fructose corn syrup, be considered a food additive. Sugar, in its natural form (such as in fruits or vegetables), actually contain many vitamins and nutrients, but is still not a necessary part of a person's diet. Refined sugar can cause a myriad of health issues such as tooth decay (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth_decay), sore gums (http://www.cuprident.com/gumprob.php), diabetes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes), and/or obesity. It has very few benefits.

So, yeah, I'm off of sugar fortunately and should you! :)

~CherylGlistner~ (http://www.myspace.com/dentistrecommended)

[MarkAnthony]

Does anyone ever worry about the sugar they get from fruit? I bought a pack of dates today for the first time in ages and they're SO damn moreish. I think I ate 200g worth before I stopped. I know it's all natural sugar but they're so sweet it can't be that great for you can it? I wonder the same thing about pineapples, mangoes and other such very sweet fruit.

[Haniska]

Oh man, you made me want a date. I shouldn't eat more than 2 because they make me sick from the sweetness. To answer your question, basically, sugar is sugar. The only reason that fruit is better is that it comes with water,vitamins,fiber, minerals etc. (Table sugar is of course devoid of all these things.) It's still sugar though. It still spikes your insulin etc etc.

[Deadheadsam]

How does refined sugar show up on ingredients on packaged foods?

[Mahk]

Answer: "Sugar"

[Deadheadsam]

yeah that's what I thought. Tofutti ice cream sanwiches have refined sugar! It seems like they would use sugar not filtered with bone char though. anyone know anything about that?

[Mahk]

It depends on what country you are in, who answers your e-mail when you write them, and whether they stick to the same sugar supplier month after month after month. I'm 99% sure that their selection of sugar supplier has nothing to do with "bone char filtration" and it doesn't factor into their decision; In fact the person who makes this call probably wouldn't even understand what you were talking about unless you explained it to them. They buy whoever is cheapest and easiest to get that month!

From my own basic web research, I've concluded that about 25% of sugar in the US is still filtered through bone char. I've personally decided to eat "unknown filtration method sugar" because of how ubiquitous it is as a minor ingredient in so many non-sweet foods. Sugar is found in many cereals, soups, breads, beer, condiments, soups, salad dressings, etc.

IMO, the alternative approach would be to write each manufacturer monthly asking,"Hi, remember me? I'm the guy who writes monthly to ask if you are still using Domino Sugar UPC #899298387484 (as you did last month) or have you switched and if so to what brand and UPC number? Thanks as alway, talk to you next month....."

Does that seem like a reasonable way to live your life? To me it doesn't.

Additionally, I consider myself to be a "content based" vegan as opposed to a "process based" vegan.

[Mahk]

edit: Fliltration is a "process", the sugar does not "contain" bone char.

YMMV.

[Deadheadsam]

Regardless, if you buy refined sugar that is filtered using bone char, you create a deman for the bone char, thus causing, or adding to the need for, the death of an animal.

[Fuhzy]

Regardless, if you buy refined sugar that is filtered using bone char, you create a deman for the bone char, thus causing, or adding to the need for, the death of an animal.
I have to agree here. It's just rather sad that companies make it so difficult to be vegan...

[frank language]

How does refined sugar show up on ingredients on packaged foods?
Nowadays, it's usually called "Evaporated cane juice." I don't know what regulations they have against calling plain old sugar that.

[steven1222]

Evaporated cane juice is not the same thing as refined sugar. It contains trace minerals and is never processed through bone char.


edit: Fliltration is a "process", the sugar does not "contain" bone char.
I disagree. Animal bone does not last forever; as the filters wear down, traces enter the sugar.