The clock is ticking in America. We have become the fattest and most unhealthy people in all the land. There is an increase in Diabetes running rampant in the healthcare industry, and I see it because, after all, that is my field. Many of us consume more sugar than we even know. Sugar is hidden in the form of glucose, sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, and many other forms. What many people do not understand is "Exactly how much sugar IS enough?". I heard on the news tonight that the average adult should only consume around 8 teaspoons of sugar per day. From this, an idea was born in my head. Let us make food companies reveal how many teaspoonfuls or tablespoonfuls of sugar that can of soda or that packet of oatmeal contains! It might be a challenge, but standing together we can create this change! 

The proof is in the pudding! How many of you have picked up a Coca Cola and saw that it had 39 grams of carbs, and 7 grams of sugar? (I don't have a coke on hand because I myself am a Diabetic and steer away from regular soda pop). How many of you looked at those numbers in a confused manner and thought, well....I'm not really sure like how much sugar that really IS! You are telling us 7 grams of carbs, but what exactly does that convey to the consumer? We in medicine and other industries know that 1 gram is equal to 1000 mg's, but what exactly does that mean for the sugar content of that soda? I have a packet of oatmeal in my hand. Oatmeal is good for the heart and for cholesterol, as we all know, but oddly enough, 1 packet of Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal has 27 grams of Carbohydrates, and 12 grams of sugar. That is in ONE packet. The proof that we need change is on every single item in our grocery stores almost. Sugar is even in things we don't expect sugar to be, like Tortilla Chips!! 

I am calling for action here. I am calling for everyone to join me who is a Diabetic. Everyone who is in healthcare and is a Nurse or a Physician. Sugar is causing many metabolic processes in the body to go haywire, and causing a LOT of health issues. It is time companies begin to tell us the straight truth! Tell us on EVERY product how many teaspoons of sugar it contains! Us consumers will even take Tablespoons if you are afraid we will be scared of the numbers! But the fact of the matter is, we NEED to be scared of the numbers, because that's what is killing America! At least then, if we see a product that reads...12 grams of sugars= 128 teaspoons of granulated sugar...we will better understand why it's so important to know what exactly we are putting into our bodies! Let us know how much your high fructose corn syrup, sometimes combined with sugar on a label, is equivalent to in teaspoons or tablespoons. Everyone who supports me on this, and thinks this is a great idea, please sign the petition. Together as a whole, we can make America healthier. No one can do it alone, we all need each other!