A life of sweets

Considering I make up between a third and a fifth of this blog's readership, I'm comfortable writing with the intention of reiterating the lessons I have heard and need to learn better.

I think I developed bad eating habits back in middle school when I would buy 3-4 candy treats after almost every school day - Zebra Cakes and things. In high school and, to an extent, college, eating sweets was fine considering my activity level. Even afterwards, working 9-5 but playing ultimate if not daily then at least several hours a week, my addiction to sweets could be managed fine. But no more.

Sweets fascinate most people, and they do so from an early age. Christmas and Halloween, not to mention Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, and the 4th of July, all have serious indulgences into candy and other desserts. The indulgence with food is, in and of itself, comprimising the nutrition and eating habits of even the most even-keeled person.

But, its the high-sugar stuff that's really the problem. Why? Because sugar doesn't provide the body with anything that it doesn't already produce. This is not true for the essentials of nutrition:
Protein
Complex Carbohydrates
Vitamins and Minerals
Fiber

Of course, things to eat in moderation are foods high in:
Sodium
Fats (see prohibited list)

And stay away from foods high in:
Sugar
Fats (transfats, especially)

How to rid yourself of the sugar problem:
1. as a snacker or a candy-fiend, brush your teeth when you get a craving, chew sugar-free gum, kindly turn down offers of extra food - overeating can lead to a craving, if you have to then buy one portion of dessert at a time;
2. as a soda-drinker, http://www.sugarshockblog.com/2006/04/tax_sugary_drin.html
3. as a parent, http://www.bbc.co.uk/parenting/family_matters/celeb_sweetschocs.shtml

What did I leave off? What's your experience with chocolate? :) Peace