W alk the talk’ is easier said than done. After reprimanding a patient on her inability to rein in her cravings for sweets, I went home and found a box of motichoor ladoo from ‘Hasmukh & Sons- spreading smiles since 1935’ on the dining table (they have been spreading increase in abdominal girths too). Initially I ate only half of the laddoo. The neurons of the pleasure centre of my brain shouted in unison, ‘We want more dopamine’.
The far-sighted neurons warned- ‘lalach buri bala hai’. But they were soon bullied into submission and I ended up eating two ladoos. Late at night, after everyone else had slept, I decided to raid the sweet box again. But there was only half a laddoo left- sweet tooth is a family problem at our home. I felt like someone who had just missed a flight.
Sugar is addictive. But it isn’t likely to be banned even partially because all policy makers are hopelessly addicted to it too. In our country, we ensure that every child becomes a devotee of the sweet taste. Often a drop of honey is put in the mouth of the newborn. The result- love at first taste. Parents and relatives spoil the child further by giving candies and chocolates. Even nature makes strategic use of sugars as a bribe- it can’t give cash under the table. Inside every tasty fruit is a seed waiting to get dispersed.
Recently, sugar has lost its sheen especially amongst those who think that sugar stands between them and size zero. So, ‘sugar free’ is mentioned quite prominently on the labels of some packaged foods. But I don’t get carried away with this. Rather a sardonic smile crosses my face. The food industry is full of smart people who specialize in ‘ankhon mein dhool jhonkna’ amongst the consumers. Maltodextrins, coconut sugar, concentrated apple juice, jaggery, honey, agave syrup and date powder are ‘behen bhai’ of sugar only.
Before counselling overweight patients about diet, I ask them about their food intake. Initially, many of them say- one or two chapatis or small amount of rice in every meal with subzi or daal. This conveys that either the water they drink or the air they inhale is getting converted to fat. However, on probing further, many admit to taking a lot of jaggery with the explanation that it isn’t refined. Yes, jaggery is as rustic as a Haryanvi villager but most of it is sucrose only. Judicious intake of sugar is okay. A laughable act is to take tea without sugar (avoiding 5 gm sugar) and pair it with mathri made of 100 gm maida (which raises blood glucose faster than sugar).
There is a constant tug of war between the proponents and opponents of artificial sweeteners. But most studies don’t show any significant advantage for them in terms of reduction of weight or prevention of diabetes. In fact, diabetes is multifactorial (even genetics has a role). A recent study has concluded that the love affair of South Asians with wheat flour and white rice is a major factor for high incidence of diabetes in them.
Limiting the intake of sweets and desserts is highly advisable. Also, don’t be excessively sweet in your conduct because others will think you are putting on a facade!
Jas Kohli is a noted humour writer. He is the author of three bestselling humour novels, ‘Lights! Wedding! Ludhiana!’, ‘Lights! Scalpel! Romance!’, and ‘Anything to Look Hot’.