Sweet Tooth

A cultural disease

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I grew up in Chile in the 1950s, at a time when historical food surveys indicated that the country saw a dramatic surge in sugar intake. Chile’s average adult sugar intake skyrocketed from below 40 grams to more than 80 grams per person daily by the end of the decade.

I was a victim of that trend. I had poor dental health habits and consumed copious amounts of candy and sugary drinks. A very bad combination.

By the time my parents paid attention and took me to the dentist for a checkup, my teeth were a mess. I had multiple cavities that required filling. I spent days in a dentist’s chair getting metal fillings inserted in my teeth.

The parental neglect was unexcusable.

One of the reasons I started to brush my teeth regularly was that I had a girlfriend, there was kissing involved. You will not be smooching if your breath smells like an orangutan’s armpit.

After immigrating to Canada, my dental health was in better hands. At the age of sixteen, I began having semi-annual check-ups, which made me aware of the need to brush and floss regularly. I received the education my parents should have provided.

I got braces in my thirties to fix some misaligned teeth that could have led to decay issues later in life. In other words, I have done what I could to take care of my teeth throughout my adult life. It is important to me.

Sugar consumption in Chile remains among the highest in the world, at around 41.1 kg per capita. I have not lost my taste for sweets. I blame it on culture and upbringing. Although I no longer drink sugary drinks, I have difficulties saying no to cookies, cakes, pastries, and ice cream.

I stopped adding sugar to my tea years ago, and I don’t often eat candy. My partner is pre-diabetic, which means sugar has mostly disappeared from our home. We have become aware of hidden sugar in food products. We scour nutrition labels.

So, Do Capozucca, as you can well imagine, my relationship with honey, syrup, sugar, sweetener, or something else is fragile. I use some of those products in moderation. Pancakes without maple syrup are ridiculous. Who would eat that? A tad of honey in a tart salad dressing balances things. A glass of Port after dinner is a welcome treat. Life is to be lived. However, remember to brush and floss regularly.

Wanna play along? Here are the July prompts from the Challenged:

[embed]I’m Jumping for Joy It’s July Why? I can still jump… not high… but lift two feet off the ground togethermedium.com