Let Them Eat Cake: Sugar and Parties

Tonight I had a reception for my art show at the Salina Library. And although it wasn't hard to resist the plate of cookies that was provided, it got me thinking about the significance of sugary items at parties and special events.

Think about it: Weddings always involve cutting the cake. Birthdays involve cake and ice cream. Kids always bring cookies to school to celebrate birthdays. We give out candy for Halloween and ice cream with kids meals. Why?

Well according to ProFlowers, Cake used to be a less sweet item and more of a meal course and once the cakes became sweeter it was only for the wealthy.  It wasn't until sugar was more readily available that cake became a regular staple.

And candy at Halloween? The trick-or-treating didn't even begin until the 1930's and 40's and even then kids would get lots of things from coins to toys to snacks. Halloween parties themselves used to use more seasonal produce and less sugary substances. As trick-or-treating became more popular in the 50's and on, candy because a easy and cheap thing to hand out.

As America changes, I can't help but wonder why we keep consuming sugar at every "Special occasion" that we can. Is it the parents, who don't know the issues affiliated with the sugar in all the sweets they serve their kids? Or the kids, who get upset when they aren't given something sugary at every opportunity?

As an adult, I know I have the same issues as some of the kids - the constant craving of sugar. But I also know that these cravings wouldn't be so high if people stopped serving so much sugar at every event I went to.

----
Daily update:

As I mentioned, I resisted the cookies and juice at my reception. I did, however, eat lots of grapes there. I am starting to re-think my beer consumption as well, for I had a beer at the restaurant after the reception. I know that there is no sugar in beer, but I also know that the carbs turn to sugar. So kinda the same thing right? But one step at a time....

We had chinese take out for lunch and I was able to resist the temptation of crab-rangoon and fortune cookies. But then again, I have never really had issues with those foods.

---

What's your take on sugar at events? Beer and sugar consumption? Sound off!

~Lisa

Proflowers
Halloween and Sugar