The theme of several Corn Refinery Association commercials, "Sugar is sugar-your body can't tell the difference." has been parodied by SNL.  Their version is really closer to the truth in my opinion.  Luckily many Americans are smart consumers who don't like this conceit. 

We've already been rail-roaded by another chemical manufacturer (Monsanto) and now have aspartame in about 9000 food products that isn't do not even have it listed as an ingredient. No one is acting on the thousands of consumer complaints with over 92 different health problems associated with this chemical sugar.

Instead our sugar consumption goes up yearly. According to the latest data by the United States Agriculture Department, the average American consumes 156 pounds of sugar each year divided into these categories.

1. Soft Drinks, 33%, 51.5 pounds a year.

2. Prepared Foods (think ketchup, peanut butter, canned vegetables, canned fruit), 26%, 40.5 pounds per year.

3. Sweetened fruit drinks, 10%, 15.6 pounds per year.

4. Candy and cake, 5% 7.8 pounds per year.

5. Cereal, 4%, 6 pounds a year.

The holidays are here and that's when many of these pounds of sugar are consumed.  This year, why not set some goals to reduce your sugar consumption.  Start small...more veggies, less cookies.  Bean soup, no candy. You may save 10-20 pounds at the holiday sugarfest!