Things are getting tough all over

[elcheapo]

Even the maker of one "staple" of millions of americans (and including kids), is starting to feel things get tight.

http://www.agrimoney.com/news/hersey-trims-sale-expectations-as-chocolate-demand-falls--9526.html

[smokeyjay]

Diets are changing. Soft drink consumption is down as well. 

[hardnox]

They need to be like the soda conglomerates who figured out how to monetize water.

The growth sector in chocolate is the low sugar, dark stuff with, purportedly with loads of flavenoids.

[ncwinn54]

Paleo is a real trend, slong with its sister, keto.  The true Holy Grail is Paleo Keto...very strict, low carb, higher in fat and protein, ratio of the two depending upon whose approach you adopt.

No room for chocolate or soft drinks.  People may be figuring out that this is the best way to avoid needing medical care. 

[elcheapo]

except for renal failure.........all that protein is hard for the kidneys to handle in some people, and dependent on how much protein.

[ncwinn54]

Not really...check into Drs. Phinney and Bolek, and throw in Noakes.  These and more are finally getting the point of fat fueling od the human animal across to many.  

There is no human dietary requirement for carbohydrates, and no carb deficiency disease.  Insulin resistance and its sad companions, Type 2 diabetes, heart diease, et. al., are a consequence of consumption of carbohydrates.  Period.  

[smokeyjay]

Totally disagree, Kay. There's too much connection between these diseases and heredity to make an assumption. Plus, one can eat whole wheat bread in moderation and blood sugar remains stable, yet white bread makes it go up. 

People in Italy consume much higher levels of carbs and fat, yet they do not have the symptoms of obesity and diseases other cultures have. 

Carbs in in wheat provide important nutrients the body needs. 

[ncwinn54]

We will have to agree to disagree on this account, Smokey.  I am really studying the subject of dietary carbohydrates now, and there is no reason to eat them.  Just because a certain culture consumes certain grains does not mean they are good for everyone.  

[smokeyjay]

Agree to disagree. 20 % of all food consumed in the globe comes from wheat. Rice is in that arena as well. Unless you are a fan of William Davis and his wheat Belly book, dietary research confirms my statements. 

[Kay/NC]

Way past Wheat Belly here now...spent my last year or so in Paleo, now into Keto consumption. I have no doubt that grains DO constitute a fair portion of many diets. The issue is whether or not they actually NEED to. The problem is that in the US, far too many carbs take up far too much of our typical American diet. I challenge you to look at a buffet of all-you-ca-eat offerings. Even the "protein" foods are often heavily breaded, smothered in gray, etc. I am probably more brittle dietarily than most, being a Type2 diabetic. I know it is taking a near-total cutoff of carbs ( less than 20 g per day) to return me to health an fitness. Small but growing numbers of us are taking our lives into our own hands, rather than popping copious pills to manage the problem, plus metabolic resistance, which accompanies the disease. Eat all the carbs you want...I won't be fighting you for them!