The Depths to which the Sugar Pushers Sink - Tesco

[LauraBridges]

We are exhorted to avoid sugar (I don't have any ever other than a bit of fruit). Yet day in day out it is peddled and pushed on to us and our children at home, in schools, by others.

This morning Tesco delivered our weekly shopping. There was an item I had not ordered. It is in front of me now. I asked the delivery man about it. It is a free gift. Guess what it is? Sugar.. or rather an organic rice cake think covered in Belgian chocolate. At Christmas Tesco gave us a large box of sugary biscuits in a tin.

Why don't they give customers carrots or cucumbers? Why just junk food that ruins your health?

I told the driver I did not eat any sugar but perhaps my family might eat it. He took a while to believe me, said he could never manage that and then disclosed that he is diabetic (he didn't look over weight particularly but is of Indian origin and middle aged).

I actually agree with the OP. Nowhere does she say she berated the driver. They had a conversation about her free gift. It is a problem. I don't eat sugar or grain and no-one seems to believe it's possible , because we've been brainwashed into food coming in processed form with a load of addictive crap added.

The food industry has a lot to answer for, but we can't say we didn't know. The information about what is in your food and what that does to your life expectancy, and quality of life, is freely available. But if you're addicted you laugh it off and think those who aren't are not 'living fully'.

Carrots have 4.7g of sugar per 100g.

Just saying.

Laura aside from your ignorant and pretty offensive assumptions about diabetes, you're completely over-reacting. You don't want it? Fine, give it back or donate it.

Sugar isn't that great for you, we all know that, but becoming obsessively worked up about a packet of chocolate rice cakes isn't all that healthy, either.

because we've been brainwashed into food coming in processed form. No we haven't, or are you speaking for yourself?

All food contain an amount of sugar. Unless people are existing on water on diets then this is a load of hogwash.

Believe or not most people have a brain in their head.

Rescuecack - there is such a thing as moderation. I don't think it s necessary to be so extreme as to cut out a whole food group (unless of course you have an intolerance). Nor do I live solely on processed food. A healthly, balanced diet seems the most sensible option. I was watching supersize vs super skinny last night with the severely anorexic woman who said that cutting out a whole food group could be a warning sign of the disease in young people.

FTR, I thoroughly enjoyed the small bag of sweet and salty popcorn I've just had. I have the lurgy and can't stomach my usual post long walk handful of nuts, but the popcorn went down extremely well without giving me a tummy ache.

And I have waitrose/ocado jealousy, again.

I think it is too easy to say people are brainwashed into thinking all food is processed with a load of addictive crap added.

I am an intelligent adult, I know how to cook from scratch, I know what is added to food but I am perfectly capable of making up my own mind and if I want to eat a piece of cake it is because I enjoy the taste not because I have been 'brainwashed' . Of course I know that the food I eat may reduce my life expectancy but I can make my own decision and quite honestly I would rather have my cake and eat it even if that means my overall life expectancy may be a little shorter.

Middle aged and indian origin are risk factors for diabetes. Non modifiable ones.

Weight is a risk factor. A modifiable one.

I see the OP's point, although I agree there was no need to bring the delivery person into it.

But there are quite a few discussions on mn (and elsewhere) about why people are apparently getting so disastrously fatter, and I think there are reasons for it at a societal level that go beyond "people is greedy, innit". The chocolate rice cakes are just an example of stuff that no sane person needs, unless they already know about them and are buying them already. I suppose for instance they act as gluten free chocolate biscuits, maybe, and are useful as treats if you have gluten intolerance? Otherwise, what part do they play in your diet? Just extra sugary stuff masquerading as "healthy" by including a rice cake which is presumably benefiting from some WW-derived low fat halo effect.

I am the opposite of judgy about food and overweight people and this is why I think this sort of thing should be challenged (at source, not with the delivery person)

btw, random aside, something about the phrase "cooking from scratch" brings me out in an absolute ecstasy of vile squirming at the sanctimony. I don't know why. It's not the idea, it's saying it in that way. Ugh I can't bear it.

The delivery man saw I was puzzled by something I hadn't ordered nad said it was a free gift. We had a nice little chat. I certainly wasn't standing there berating a diabetic Indian for eating lots of sugar. He looked at what we had bought briefly, presumably to verify if what I had said (which was only about a sentence) was true and the contents of the shopping would have shown that was so.

I think it's a shame that the UK has moved to a stage where if you eat normal healthy foods as I do you are regarded as some kind of weirdo! However, each to their own.

So if people think it's fine that Tesco hand out free sugar would you be happy if they included free sample cigarettes or a small free bottle of vodka?

Ooh a free bottle of Vodka. I wouldn't want that at all. Oh no.

I'd not say no to free Vodka.

But then again, I despise Tesco for numerous other reasons, so don't order from them, online, anyhow.

I love Tesco for their Scan and Shop-no need to speak to a soul.

I wouldnt like free vodka or cigarettes but i wouldnt turn down a free chocolate cake and i have a slight intolerance to cocoa.

Any chance you could e-mail Tesco and ask them to outrage me with a bottle of vodka?

I don't see the problem.
Standard gifts are chocolates, flowers or wine. I am happy with any.
You do not take cucumbers or carrots as gifts, not unless they are home grown.
Everything in moderation. If you are not going to eat them they are a nice thing to hand on or give for a raffle prize.
I eat a healthy, well balanced diet and it includes chocolate. Eating is supposed to be enjoyable and sociable.

Lots of us really enjoy good food - meat, fish, eggs, shell fish, veg. You don't have to drink alcohol and eat chocolate to lead a happy healthy life.

The Government is very concerned about the sugar which is pushed at people everywhere and all those sweets at the tills in WH Smith etc. I am not a lone voice by any means.

I wouldn't mind a free cucumber.

Actually I do sort of agree with the OP. No one needs chocolate rice cakes. I eat cake, and other treats, but I think the food industry is happy to create an environment where everyone accepts that sugary food is a necessity every day.

So, you agree? Not everyone has been 'brainwashed'. The generalisations are incorrect and condescending.

I enjoy really good food. My children eat really well. Lots of fish, meat, loads of vegetables, pulses, seeds, fruit etc etc.

We also have the occasional bun.

It's not a cult. It doesn't need prothelytizing.

I enjoy all those things, Laura, including the alcohol and chocolate. After a bloody hard day, I'd choose a glass of wine or a few pieces of chocolate over a plate of broccoli, anytime, and I love broccoli.

I don't think it's the crime of the century, but I think the OP has a point, yes