Oh, Yum

I am going to eat all of the candies pictured and keep eating until I die of diabetes. All that matters is going with chocolate all over my face! Who's with me? ... Just kidding. I really should be more concerned about my health. And I do appreciate gentle reminders to control my diet :)

I have to say I don't think the college years are well known as a period of "healthy living" in people's lives, but there are people trying to diet, and it is probably not pleasant for them to watch me scarfing sweets. It is very inconsiderate of me not to take this into account.

As far as diabetes itself goes, it is apparently not a "sugar" thing:

I think for years we have grown up with the misconception that highly refined carbohydrates (table sugar and sugar-containing foods) will cause diabetes. We can only safely say that diet rich in simple sugars is associated with cavities and not necessarily type 2 diabetes.

But then he goes on to say:

It appears that the overall number of calories we eat -- be it from fat or carbohydrates, simple or complex -- is more related to developing type 2 diabetes.

Urgh. Plenty of calories in chocolate cupcakes and muffins and Snickers, alas! ;) I am going to try to be at least a little bit better about this kind of thing.

As far as the positive effects of alcohol:

Binge drinking is defined as having four or more drinks at one sitting for females and five or more for males.

and this:

Is Moderate Drinking Beneficial to the Heart?

At this point, doctors aren't sure. Research is ongoing to clarify the relationship of alcohol and the heart. However, findings in recent years suggest that moderate alcohol consumption (wine or beer) does offer some protection against heart disease for some people. Moderate drinking is defined as no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men. One drink is equal to the following: 12 ounces of beer or wine cooler, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.

To my readers who have nooo idea what I am talking about: Fear not! Do not freak out! Especially y'all in my Hudson Fan Club ;) who know where my parental units live!