People’s eating behaviors are hardwired into their brains. Sugars and carbs are addictive. It’s not a simple matter of quitting a behavior. It’s about withdrawl similar to drug addiction.
Retail giants understand this. They manipulate our supermarket purchases. Think of the layout of our average supermarket. Whole aisles are devoted to bread, pasta, cereals, pastries, sugar-snacks, sodas, etc. it’s a sad statement about American health and well-being.

I agree, excess sugar and processed food are the downfall of everyone. Bad part is that everything unless it's home made and you use plant based ingredients comes at a price. Since I stopped 90% of my added sugar intake (ex: reg soda, energy drinks, flavored waters like vitamin water for example I went from 313 lbs down to 255 in a about 7 months. We are eating organic, sugar free drinks, watching the sat fats, sodium, cholesterol, carbs, and I try to make all foods as balanced as we can afford to do. I'm at a plateau and regained about 20 ish lbs and and been at this weight +/- now for almost 2 yrs. I regained my digestional tract to increase my metabolism too now. More activity and trying to get more exercise to lose more.

Great points! I said it was simple, not easy! We seem to understand what the food industries are doing to us. Are we helpless? Hunger and eating are hardwired. Are cravings and addictions? Don’t behaviors include an element of choice and will power? Does that drink or desert make a person feel as good as being fit trim and healthy?

Everything is cumulative. My last knee injury 50 some years ago caused me to suddenly give up contact sports and most of my daily activity. I was soon surprised to find my belt to tight. I started calculating what I must do.. I read that a spoonful of catsup contains more sugar than ice cream. But the calories were insignificant and I didn’t like coffee without. I later multiplied this small number by 3 cups for 365 days a year and gave up sugar. It’s now been 50 years.

I survived Afib with virtually no physical pain or lifestyle change. I am now drug and treatment free. At least for now. I think past behavior played a big part. Faith and positive thinking are a necessary part of any treatment but don’t overlook personal responsibility. God bless.

@ Cliff3 Thanks, Cliff great stuff. Who knew that sweetened drinks could cause an episode of Afib? Thanks for always taking the time to post such informative stuff. I for one really appreciate it!

I believe sugar, soft drinks, processed foods, fast foods and unhealthy cooking oils cause more health problems and pre mature death than Covid ever could.

And the solution is to simply stop! But how many will?

“Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) or sugary drinks are leading sources of added sugars in the American diet. Frequently drinking sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney diseases, non-alcoholic liver disease, tooth decay and cavities, and gout, a type of arthritis.”

https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/s...

Sugar Sweetened Beverage Intake

https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/sugar-sweetened-beverages-intake.html