Diabetic Diet & Blood Gluecose

I am desperately looking for a simple chart or booklet that I can plan a 1500 diabetic diet from. I want to be able to carry it with me or keep it in the car when I’m on the go or when I grocery shop. I check out all the diabetic recommended sites and they have so much information to sift through. I just want to look at a semi-basic list of foods and pick out "one of these, two of these, one of these . . . ." and then THAT’S IT! THAT will be my balanced meal or snack. I’m just starting out, so I don’t want to build a recipe, join a message board, or find baked shrimp/salmon/codfish bruhaha-something-or-other that I’ll never eat in a million years.

Seems like I saw something similar on an infomercial for Robert Ferguson’s weight loss system, but I only need a simple fold-out chart or booklet. And I don’t need to spend $100 just to get a list. Any help out there? Thanks!
P.S. If you happen to recommend the American diabetes website, please specify where on the site I can find this. I’ve looked and there’s just so much other stuff to sift through.

Typhi , you sure are demanding in your Question. What the problem ? Do you have a printer??
Here the one I use. In one week I didn’t need a chart , I automaticlly knew what to buy and eat.SO you don’t have to drag around all that paper work…..http://www.mendosa.com/gilists.htm

This table includes the glycemic index and glycemic load of more than 2,480 individual food items. Not all of them, however, are available in the United States. They represent a true international effort of testing around the world.

The glycemic index (GI) is a numerical system of measuring how much of a rise in circulating blood sugar a carbohydrate triggers–the higher the number, the greater the blood sugar response. So a low GI food will cause a small rise, while a high GI food will trigger a dramatic spike. A list of carbohydrates with their glycemic values is shown below. A GI is 70 or more is high, a GI of 56 to 69 inclusive is medium, and a GI of 55 or less is low.

The glycemic load (GL) is a relatively new way to assess the impact of carbohydrate consumption that takes the glycemic index into account, but gives a fuller picture than does glycemic index alone. A GI value tells you only how rapidly a particular carbohydrate turns into sugar. It doesn’t tell you how much of that carbohydrate is in a serving of a particular food. You need to know both things to understand a food’s effect on blood sugar. That is where glycemic load comes in. The carbohydrate in watermelon, for example, has a high GI. But there isn’t a lot of it, so watermelon’s glycemic load is relatively low. A GL of 20 or more is high, a GL of 11 to 19 inclusive is medium, and a GL of 10 or less is low.

Foods that have a low GL almost always have a low GI. Foods with an intermediate or high GL range from very low to very high GI.

Both GI and GL are listed here. The GI is of foods based on the glucose index–where glucose is set to equal 100. The other is the glycemic load, which is the glycemic index divided by 100 multiplied by its available carbohydrate content (i.e. carbohydrates minus fiber) in grams. (The "Serve size (g)" column is the serving size in grams for calculating the glycemic load; for simplicity of presentation I have left out an intermediate column that shows the available carbohydrates in the stated serving sizes.) Take, watermelon as an example of calculating glycemic load. Its glycemic index is pretty high, about 72. According to the calculations by the people at the University of Sydney’s Human Nutrition Unit, in a serving of 120 grams it has 6 grams of available carbohydrate per serving, so its glycemic load is pretty low, 72/100*6=4.32, rounded to 4.

And by the way , anyone in their right mind would never recommend the American Diabetes website. Their still practicing Civil War era Medicine and treatments.

Good luck

Tin

I am on the Richard Simmons FoodMover diet and now that I am branching out into more healthy cooking, I want to be able to access the diabetic exchanges for more. Are there websites that can help me out?

There are zillions of sites.

how many carbs, portions or exchanges are in a beer, rum n diet coke…drinks like that?

I’m type 1 diabetic and just curious how many exchanges i might’ve had at my b’day party.

I know i had about 3 in the mixer drinks (coke n rum…that is full strength coke, not diet)

As was mentioned before, there are no carbs in hard alcohol but it does convert to sugar in your system. You really need to know how it effects your insulin level after it gets into your body.

Company Memo
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 1, 2009
RE: Gala Christmas Party

I’m happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23rd, starting at noon in the private function room at the Grill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We’ll have a small band playing traditional carols…. feel free to sing along. And don’t be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00 PM. Exchanges of gifts among employees can be done at that time; however, no gift should be over $10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone’s pockets. This gathering is only for employees!

Our CEO will make a special announcement at that time!

Merry Christmas to you and your family,

Patty
________________________________________
Company Memo

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 2, 2009
RE: Gala Holiday Party

In no way was yesterday’s memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognize that Hanukkah is an important holiday, which often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on, we’re calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians and to those still celebrating Reconciliation Day. There will be no Christmas tree and no Christmas carols will be sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment.

Happy now?

Happy Holidays to you and your family,

Patty
________________________________________
Company Memo

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 3, 2009
RE: Holiday Party

Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table, you didn’t sign your name. I’m happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only", you wouldn’t be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this?

Somebody?

And sorry, but forget about the gift exchange, no gifts are allowed since the union members feel that $10.00 is too much money and the executives believe $10.00 is a little chintzy.

REMEMBER: NO GIFTS EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.

Patty
________________________________________
Company Memo

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
To: All Employees
DATE: October 4, 2009
RE: Generic Holiday Party

What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20th begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees’ beliefs. Perhaps the Grill House can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party or else package everything for you to take it home in little foil doggy baggy. Will that work?

Meanwhile, I’ve arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit farthest from the dessert buffet, and pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms.

Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with Gay men, each group will have their own table. Yes, there will be flower arrangement for the Gay men’s table.

To the person asking permission to cross dress, the Grill House asks that no cross-dressing be allowed, apparently because of concerns about confusion in the restrooms. Sorry.

We will have booster seats for short people.

Low-fat food will be available for those on a diet.

I am sorry to report that we cannot control the amount of salt used in the food. The Grill House suggests that people with high blood pressure taste a bite first.

There will be fresh "low sugar" fruits as dessert for diabetics, but the restaurant cannot supply "no sugar" desserts. Sorry!

Did I miss anything?!?!?

Patty
________________________________________
Company Memo

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All F*%^ing Employees
DATE: October 5, 2009
RE: The F*%^ing Holiday Party

I’ve had it with you vegetarian pricks!!! We’re going to keep this party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it, and you’ll get your f*%^ing salad bar, including organic tomatoes. But you know, tomatoes have feelings, too. They scream when you slice them. I’ve heard them scream. I’m hearing them scream right NOW!

The rest of you f*%^ing wierdos can kiss my *ss. I hope you all have a rotten holiday!

Drive drunk and die,

The B*tch from H*ll!!!

________________________________________
Company Memo

FROM: Joan Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director

DATE: October 6, 2009

RE: Patt
Company Memo

FROM: Joan Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director

DATE: October 6, 2009

RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party

I’m sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery and I’ll continue to forward your cards to her.

In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.

Happy Holidays!

Joan

Pretty funny.
In our office we are not allowed to call it Christmas either.

Company Memo

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 1, 2009
RE: Gala Christmas Party

I’m happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23rd, starting at noon in the private function room at the Grill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We’ll have a small band playing traditional carols…. feel free to sing along. And don’t be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00 PM. Exchanges of gifts among employees can be done at that time; however, no gift should be over $10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone’s pockets. This gathering is only for employees!

Our CEO will make a special announcement at that time!

Merry Christmas to you and your family,

Patty
______________________________________…
Company Memo

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 2, 2009
RE: Gala Holiday Party

In no way was yesterday’s memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognize that Hanukkah is an important holiday, which often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on, we’re calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians and to those still celebrating Reconciliation Day. There will be no Christmas tree and no Christmas carols will be sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment.

Happy now?

Happy Holidays to you and your family,

Patty
______________________________________…
Company Memo

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 3, 2009
RE: Holiday Party

Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table, you didn’t sign your name. I’m happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only", you wouldn’t be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this?

Somebody?

And sorry, but forget about the gift exchange, no gifts are allowed since the union members feel that $10.00 is too much money and the executives believe $10.00 is a little chintzy.

REMEMBER: NO GIFTS EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.

Patty
______________________________________…
Company Memo

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
To: All Employees
DATE: October 4, 2009
RE: Generic Holiday Party

What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20th begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees’ beliefs. Perhaps the Grill House can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party or else package everything for you to take it home in little foil doggy baggy. Will that work?

Meanwhile, I’ve arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit farthest from the dessert buffet, and pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms.

Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with Gay men, each group will have their own table. Yes, there will be flower arrangement for the Gay men’s table.

To the person asking permission to cross dress, the Grill House asks that no cross-dressing be allowed, apparently because of concerns about confusion in the restrooms. Sorry.

We will have booster seats for short people.

Low-fat food will be available for those on a diet.

I am sorry to report that we cannot control the amount of salt used in the food. The Grill House suggests that people with high blood pressure taste a bite first.

There will be fresh "low sugar" fruits as dessert for diabetics, but the restaurant cannot supply "no sugar" desserts. Sorry!

Did I miss anything?!?!?

Patty
______________________________________…
Company Memo

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All F*%^ing Employees
DATE: October 5, 2009
RE: The F*%^ing Holiday Party

I’ve had it with you vegetarian pricks!!! We’re going to keep this party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it, and you’ll get your f*%^ing salad bar, including organic tomatoes. But you know, tomatoes have feelings, too. They scream when you slice them. I’ve heard them scream. I’m hearing them scream right NOW!

The rest of you f*%^ing wierdos can kiss my *ss. I hope you all have a rotten holiday!

Drive drunk and die,

The B*tch from H*ll!!!

_____________________________________
Company Memo

FROM: Joan Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director

DATE: October 6, 2009

RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party

I’m sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery and I’ll continue to forward your cards to her.

In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.

Happy Holidays!

Joan
lainiebsky,
Yes, I got this several years back and also 3 days ago. I still find it funny. And I think this sort of thing is possible in Vancouver where I live because our population is so diverse and multi-cultural.

That one has been around for a few years now. They just keep changing the date.

Its long but Funny and worth the read.
Company Memo
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 1, 2009
RE: Gala Christmas Party
I’m happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23rd, starting at noon in the private function room at the Grill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We’ll have a small band playing traditional carols… feel free to sing along. And don’t be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00 PM. Exchanges of gifts among employees can be done at that time; however, no gift should be over $10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone’s pockets. This gathering is only for employees!
Our CEO will make a special announcement at that time!
Merry Christmas to you and your family,
Patty
________________________________
________________________________
Company Memo
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 2, 2009
RE: Gala Holiday Party
In no way was yesterday’s memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognize that Hanukkah is an important holiday, which often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on, we’re calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians and to those still celebrating Reconciliation Day. There will be no Christmas tree and no Christmas carols will be sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment.
Happy now?
Happy Holidays to you and your family,
Patty
________________________________
Company Memo
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 3, 2009
RE: Holiday Party
Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table, you didn’t sign your name. I’m happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only", you wouldn’t be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this?
Somebody?
And sorry, but forget about the gift exchange, no gifts are allowed since the union members feel that $10.00 is too much money and the executives believe $10.00 is a little chintzy.
REMEMBER: NO GIFTS EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.
________________________________

Company Memo
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
To: All Employees
DATE: October 4, 2009
RE: Generic Holiday Party
What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20th begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees’ beliefs. Perhaps the Grill House can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party or else package everything for you to take it home in little foil doggy baggy. Will that work?
Meanwhile, I’ve arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit farthest from the dessert buffet, and pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms.
Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with Gay men, each group will have their own table. Yes, there will be flower arrangement for the Gay men’s table.
To the person asking permission to cross dress, the Grill House asks that no cross-dressing be allowed, apparently because of concerns about confusion in the restrooms. Sorry.
We will have booster seats for short people.
Low-fat food will be available for those on a diet.
I am sorry to report that we cannot control the amount of salt used in the food. The Grill House suggests that people with high blood pressure taste a bite first.
There will be fresh "low sugar" fruits as dessert for diabetics, but the restaurant cannot supply "no sugar" desserts. Sorry!
Did I miss anything?!?!?
Patty
________________________________
Company Memo
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All F*%^ing Employees
DATE: October 5, 2009
RE: The F*%^ing Holiday Party
I’ve had it with you vegetarian pricks!!! We’re going to keep this party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it, and you’ll get your f*%^ing salad bar, including organic tomatoes. But you know, tomatoes have feelings, too. They scream when you slice them. I’ve heard them scream. I’m hearing them scream right NOW!
The rest of you f*%^ing wierdos can kiss my *ss. I hope you all have a rotten holiday!
Drive drunk and die,
The B*tch from H*ll!!!
________________________________
________________________________
Company Memo
FROM: Joan Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director
DATE: October 6, 2009
RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party
I’m sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery and I’ll continue to forward your cards to her.
In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Part
Holiday party and give everyon that day off with Pay

Read it, frickin’ funny as Hell if you ask me.

I was thin my whole life until I took antidepressants. Because one brand (Paxil) caused me to gain 17 lbs in 2 weeks, the quick weight gain broke the arch in my right foot which may never be healed. I’ve never been able to lose the weight no matte what I do - and I mean no fad diets. I did the diabetic exchange diet, I used B complex which is good for your metabolism and exercised like crazy…… but as soon as I slacked off all the weight came right back (15ilbs was the most I lost). After I had two kids way before the antidepressants, I could lose the weight and eat anything I wanted and never gain an ouce back! Do antidepressants cause long term damage to your metabolism? P LEASE, no snotty answers.

I used to take some antidepressants and I gained about 32 pounds, the doctor changed to Zoloft and I went from 132 to 107. Now they changed to Cynbalta which are pretty good. I have diabetes type 2 and I stopped drinking coke and reducing all candy. If you want to loose weight don’t eat all at once, eat little portion at the time. Eat a lot salad to fill you up. Try to eat more fish, salmon a little portion like the palm of your hand. Drink 8 glasses of water every day. Some antidepressant make you very hungry. If you are taking some that make you hungry tell the doctor to change it. Not all of the of them make you hungry, also talk to the doctor and have an blood test to see about your thyroid gland, they maybe working very slow and that make you to gain weight. I don’t know if antidepressants cause long term damage to your metabolism, but my doctor said when you take antidepressant you flush it out, so I don’t think so, otherwise they would not prescribed, but I think it would be a good idea if you talk to the doctor and change the antidepressant. I hope I help you. God bless you.

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 1
RE: Annual Office Christmas Party

I’m happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take
place on December 23, starting at noon in the private function room
at the Grill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We’ll have a small band playing traditional carols. Feel free to sing
along. And don’t be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus!
A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00 p.m. Exchange of gifts among employees can be done at that time, however,no gift should be over $10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone’s pockets.
This gathering is only for employees! A special announcement will be made by our CEO at that time! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Patty
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 2
RE: Holiday Party

In no way was yesterday’s memo intended to exclude our Jewish
employees. We recognize that Chanukah is an important holiday, which
often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year.
However, from now on we’re calling it our "Holiday Party." The same
policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians or
those still celebrating Reconciliation Day. There will be no
Christmas tree present. No Christmas carols sung.We will have other
types of music for your enjoyment.
Happy now?
Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Patty
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++…
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 3
RE: Holiday Party

Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous
requesting a non-drinking table… you didn’t sign your name. I’m
happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table
that reads "AA Only" you wouldn’t be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this? Somebody?
Forget about the gift exchange, no gifts are allowed since the union
members feel that $10.00 is too much money and executives believe
$10.00 is a little chintzy. NO GIFT EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.
Patty
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++…
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 7
RE: Holiday Party

What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20th begins
the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking
during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can
appreciate how a luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate
our Muslim employees’ beliefs. Perhaps the Grill House can hold off
on serving your meal until the end of the party or else package
every- thing for you to take it home in a little foil doggy baggy.
Will that work?
Meanwhile, I’ve arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms. Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with gay men, each will have their own table. Yes, there will be a flower arrangement for the gay men’s table. However, to the person asking permission to cross dress, no cross dressing allowed. We will have booster seats for short
people.
Low-fat food will be available for those on a diet. We cannot
control the salt used in the food we suggest for those people with
high blood pressure to taste first. There will be fresh fruits as
dessert for diabetics, the restaurant cannot supply "No Sugar"
desserts. Sorry! Did I miss anything?!?!?
Patty
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All F**king Employees
DATE: December 10
RE: The F**king Holiday Party

Vegetarians!! I’ve had it with you people!!! We’re going to keep this
party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit
quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so
quaintly put it, and you’ll get your f**king salad bar, including
organic tomatoes. But you know, tomatoes have feelings, too. They
scream when you slice them. I’ve heard them scream. I’m hearing them
scream right NOW! I hope you all have a rotten holiday! Drive drunk
and die, you hear me?
The **** from HELL!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FROM: Joan Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director
DATE: December 14
RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party

I’m sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery and I’ll continue to forward your cards to her. In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.
Happy Holidays!
Katie
1 day ago - 2 days left to answer.
Report It

funny. Been there actually.

I think if you made a commercial that sold korans as magic books that guaranteed to improve your jump shot and send you to heaven when you die, people would beleive it.

Today, in Iraq I had picked up lunch for a local national that was doing work for us. He was a diabetic so I made his lunch special avoiding sugars, lots of breads, and giving him caffeine free diet soda. After his meal I saw him grab a Gatorade from the cooler to drink.

That’s when I got into an argument with the other American escourts about the power of American media vs. the true value of Gatorade. I argued that it was not good for him or us but we all think it is because of commercials. They disagreed beleiveing it hydrated you with electrolytes.

Even after explaining why this was false they still thought it was good for the guy.

Every living cell has a sodium potassium (electrolytes) ion exchange pump which regulates the water balance inside and outside cells. Water is attracted to particles (electrolytes) and sodium has a different charge than potassium, so as sodium and potassium will naturally balance out due to polarity water will follow and homeostasis occurs. (Hydration - given they have water.)

Thus you do not need gatorade for electrolytes. In fact gatorade has too much "electrolytes" and has a higher osmolar pull thus reducing the amount of water that goes into your body. Not to mention the sugar in it - put in it only to make it sell better. Sugar is a diuretic. (It makes you pee thus making you less hydrated.)

Plus, sweat is hypotonic. Contains less electrolytes than your blood has. Fluid loss is more of a problem usually than electroylte loss in hot days, especially for people who eat regular meals.

The drink was used on Florida Gators and was attributed to their win, but that was a different formula. Once there became a demand for it they pumped it full of sugar and mass marketed it as a sports drink.

Even after explaining all this, the other American soldiers still thought gatorade was good not only for them, but for the diabetic.

So, back to my question. Being that gatorade, like the supposid health benifits of cigarettes of yore, is unhealthy but beleived to be so because of advertising - how able are our minds to resist what society says around us even despite rational clearly laid out arguments against the statements the t.v. (society) holds as true?

Look at the amount of knowledge you can bring to this conversation. So perhaps it is not some intrinsic capacity of mind that is lacking in your fellows or cigarette smokers of yore but knowledge.

Knowledge will give you defenses against what you know something about or will take the time to learn. Some people will not take the time and what can you do about them. But even a knowledgeable person cannot be knowledgeable about everything. But there is another study for the mind that can help.

Classically it was called rhetoric. It is a study of arguments. The ancient Greeks numbered different arguments and made it clear why we shouldn’t listen to them but we so often do. Some of these arguments are:

the argument of the masses: We do or thing something because everyone else does it. You have heard this in commercials all the time…98% of the people when asked…

the argument of authority: we should because he does or says we should. In commercials you see the argument that some great sports figure (or team) drinks gatorade so you should too…

Sometimes I sit and watch commercials and look for the arguments which are also knows as fallacies. You will see appeals to sex, age, exclusivity, and money most frequently. They are "hooks" and also a warning sign not to be hooked and to watch out for what is not said.

Rhetoric is also a study of how things can be said to be convincing. I have heard it said that the original "3 R s" were reading, writing, and rhetoric (not arithmetic.) It was once an important and fundamental study that has been extensively downplayed for over 50 years. It is not surprising that this is also period during which advertising has developed such a hold over people. The advertising today would have been scoffed at by people 100 years ago.

The mind is capable if properly taught and quite susceptible if not.

I think if you made a commercial that sold korans as magic books that guaranteed to improve your jump shot and send you to heaven when you die, people would beleive it.

Today, in Iraq I had picked up lunch for a local national that was doing work for us. He was a diabetic so I made his lunch special avoiding sugars, lots of breads, and giving him caffeine free diet soda. After his meal I saw him grab a Gatorade from the cooler to drink.

That’s when I got into an argument with the other American escourts about the power of American media vs. the true value of Gatorade. I argued that it was not good for him or us but we all think it is because of commercials. They disagreed beleiveing it hydrated you with electrolytes.

Even after explaining why this was false they still thought it was good for the guy.

Every living cell has a sodium potassium (electrolytes) ion exchange pump which regulates the water balance inside and outside cells. Water is attracted to particles (electrolytes) and sodium has a different charge than potassium, so as sodium and potassium will naturally balance out due to polarity water will follow and homeostasis occurs. (Hydration - given they have water.)

Thus you do not need gatorade for electrolytes. In fact gatorade has too much "electrolytes" and has a higher osmolar pull thus reducing the amount of water that goes into your body. Not to mention the sugar in it - put in it only to make it sell better. Sugar is a diuretic. (It makes you pee thus making you less hydrated.)

Plus, sweat is hypotonic. Contains less electrolytes than your blood has. Fluid loss is more of a problem usually than electroylte loss in hot days, especially for people who eat regular meals.

The drink was used on Florida Gators and was attributed to their win, but that was a different formula. Once there became a demand for it they pumped it full of sugar and mass marketed it as a sports drink.

Even after explaining all this, the other American soldiers still thought gatorade was good not only for them, but for the diabetic.

So, back to my question. Being that gatorade, like the supposid health benifits of cigarettes of yore, is unhealthy but beleived to be so because of advertising - how able are our minds to resist what society says around us even despite rational clearly laid out arguments against the statements the t.v. (society) holds as true?

Look at the average American waddling through the mall and ask yourself if that person is capable of understanding anything beyond the emotional stimulated by advertising. Americans have been thoroughly indoctrinated to believe whatever is on the television. Every generation since your parents were raised by it and have lost the critical thinking skills needed to question not only the advertisements but also the product placement and the news which is bought and paid for to "persuede" public opinion.

Every time I see some family which closer resembles a pack of baby elephants searching for the next source of processed, freeze dried, saturated meat by product to fill the void exploited by the P.R. of Mc Donalds and Burger King or some morbidly obese teenage boy decked out in $300 worth of athletic costuming who gets winded by carrying his 32 oz. 300 calorie "sports" drink from the fridge to the couch, I know one thing for certain, you can sell Americans anything as long as it is advertised.