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Frequently Asked Questions

What is sugar?

Sugar comes in many different forms, but, all types have a sweet flavour. The main types of sugar are sucrose, lactose, fructose and comatose (just kidding). Common table sugar is typically sucrose, which is extracted from corn or beets. (Suddenly doesn’t sound so appealing, huh?) Sugar is added to many foods and drinks, which you probably already know.

Why is too much sugar bad for you?

Although sugar adds a sweet taste to foods, added sugars contain only calories. Sweet foods like fruits that have natural sugars also include vitamins, minerals and fibre—nutrients that your body needs to function properly.

What is the most common type of sweetener?

Saccharin is the oldest of them and is available as a tabletop sweetener and is sold in tablet or powder form in pharmacies. It is 300 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar) but has a slightly bitter/metallic aftertaste. Saccharin has been the centre of controversy for many years because of its possible relationship with cancer. However, current evidence suggests that normal use of artificial sweeteners is not a health risk. (If you’re not normal, we suggest you speak with someone who is for a second opinion.) Other sweeteners that may be used in Canada are Ace-K, aspartame, cyclamate and sucralose.

What are the categories of sweeteners?

There are two basic categories: nutritive and non-nutritive. Nutritive sweeteners provide calories or energy to the diet at about four calories per gram, just like other carbohydrates. Examples are molasses, honey and syrups such as maple and corn. Non-nutritive sweeteners do not contribute energy or calories. Saccharin is one example. Others sweeteners that may be used in Canada include aspartame (e.g., Equal®), cyclamate (e.g., Sugar Twin®) and sucralose (e.g., Splenda®).

When trying to lose weight, should I plan to cut out sugars altogether?

That’s a bit like trying to live without breathing. It’s impossible because sugar is in so many things. Your best bet is to follow Canada’s Food Guide, and to be a little more active each day, which means putting down the remote and getting off the couch for a bit of fresh air every now and then. Making sure that you are getting all the nutrients you need to maintain good health should be your first priority.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease, and it can become serious if people don’t take care of themselves. It causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. No joke. There’s two types: Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the onset of the disease. Type 2 diabetes can be caused by genetics, obesity and other lifestyle factors. Like ordering that late-night pizza. Or answering the vending machine that keeps calling your name every two seconds. Being overweight does increase your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories, whether from sugar or from fat, can contribute to weight gain.

Can I catch diabetes from someone else?

No. It’s not like that dude who sneezed on you at the bus stop. In other words, it can’t be caught like a cold or flu.

How do I know how much sugar is in something?

Look at the Nutrition Facts Label. Sugar is listed under the Total Carbohydrates. Keep in mind that it includes both added sugars and naturally occurring sugars, such as the natural sugar in raisins. Or even better, prunes.

Which foods is sugar hidden in?

Ketchup, cereals, fruit punch, jams, specialty breads like raisin - fruit breads, but now that you know where it’s hidden, you’ll hopefully tell sugar to shove it, instead of shoveling it down your throat.

Are fruits good or bad for you?

Fruits contain a form of sugar called fructose. BUT fruit also contains vitamins and other antioxidants that are really helpful for your body. Juice is a-ok if you have one serving per day; get the rest of your fruits from the real thing—a banana, apple, strawberries, oranges—you get the idea.

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Sweet Escape

Post your sugar pledge
and you could win!

Tell us how you’re going to shave some sugar from your life by completing the pledge below and you’ll automatically be entered to win a $5000 vacation anywhere you want!

Want to see where your pledge will go? Click here to view the Sugar Buzz pledge wall.

* Please complete the form.

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Post Anonymously

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Sugar Crash Course

1. Which has more sugar?

Mac and Cheese Mac and Cheese isn't what you thought, huh?
Pizza Mac and Cheese isn't what you thought, huh?

Yup, the mac and cheese has a whopping 51 grams of sugar. The pizza has 32. That’s like eating 13 sugar cubes versus 8. Hey, you’re off to a sweet start!

Nope, the pizza has 32 grams of sugar. The mac and cheese has a whopping 51. That’s like eating 8 sugar cubes versus 13. Not what you thought, eh?

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One lump or two?

Do you know what foods most often trick people into thinking they’re healthy?



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Sugar Buzz

Check out this wall of will. People just like you, vowing to take a stand against sweets. Why not vote for the pledges that agree with your palate? Then leave your own pledge. It's the perfect way to cap it all off.

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Privacy Policy

The Canadian Diabetes Association has one privacy policy that applies specifically to five categories of individuals:

  • Members
  • Donors
  • Clients
  • Employees
  • Volunteers

This privacy policy is based upon the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Model Code and reflects the requirements of applicable legislation.

While the privacy policy applies specifically to the five categories of individuals above, it also applies wherever the Canadian Diabetes Association collects any personal information about an individual where the personal information is subject to the privacy policy or subject to applicable legislation (some personal information—for example, business contact information—is not subject to federal or provincial legislation).

Definition of "personal information"

Personal information is any information about a specific, identifiable individual, including such commonly available details as name, address, and telephone number.

Despite the fact that some personal information is widely available (e.g. through telephone directories or public database), this does not, in any way, lessen the responsibility to apply the Code’s principles to its collection, use and disclosure. The CSA Code incorporates the principles that every element of personal information should only be used for purposes that are defined and explained in advance to the individual, and that use or disclosure for any other purposes requires further knowledge and consent (CSA Privacy Code).

Canadian Diabetes Association Privacy Policy 

We respect your privacy. When you visit our web site, contact us, participate in one of our programs, become a member, or make a donation to support our activities, we are committed to protecting your privacy rights and your personal information.

In order to do so, the Canadian Diabetes Association has adopted the 10 Privacy Principles contained within the Canadian Standards Association Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information, which is a national standard of Canada. We have also taken steps to become compliant with applicable laws in Canada that protect personal information.

Our 10 Privacy Principles

1. Our responsibility to protect your personal information

The Canadian Diabetes Association is responsible for the protection of your personal information collected through its national, regional, and branch offices, or program activities. This responsibility extends when personal information is transferred to or collected by third parties on our behalf.

2. Our obligation to identify the purposes for collecting personal information

Before we collect any personal information from you, we will identify the purpose for the collection. A statement of purposes will be communicated wherever possible.

3. The requirement for knowledge and consent

We will only collect personal information with your knowledge and consent, except in limited situations as permitted by law. This may be with your express consent (for example, where you voluntarily provide information on a form for purposes you clearly understand and agree to) or by declining an opportunity to opt-out of our collection or use of your personal information. Opt-out consent will be used only for non-sensitive information where we believe that the privacy impacts are low and you will be provided with sufficient notice of your right to opt-out of such uses. Further, you can withdraw your consent to the collection, use or disclosure of your personal information at any time, subject to any legal requirements and reasonable notice(1).
(1) A decision to withhold some personal information may influence the ability of the Canadian Diabetes Association or its affiliates to provide you with services.

4. Limiting information collection

We only collect personal information relevant to the purposes that have been identified. We collect information fairly and lawfully, and directly from individuals wherever possible(1)(2).You have the right to provide as much, or as little personal information as you choose to share.

(1) If you provide information about a family medical history, this information will be considered as your information only, and not personal information of other family members.
(2) Fundraising lists may be obtained from third parties.

5. Limiting use, disclosure and retention of your information

We only use or disclose your personal information for the purposes we have identified to you.

6. Our responsibility to ensure the accuracy of your personal information

Other than fundraising lists, virtually all of the personal information that we collect comes directly from individuals themselves, for example on our membership application forms. We generally assume this information to be accurate and complete, unless we are informed otherwise.

7. Our responsibility to safeguard your personal information

The Canadian Diabetes Association uses appropriate safeguards to protect all personal information in its custody and control.

8. Our obligation to be open about our privacy policy and practices

We are open about our policies and procedures. We make reasonable efforts to inform individuals about our policies and procedures, the purposes for which we collect, use or disclose personal information, and how to access your personal information.

9. Your right to access your personal information

Upon request, we will inform you if we hold any personal information about you and provide you with access to this information. If we have any personal information about you, we will also tell you for what purposes it is used or disclosed. (With donor consent and stringent controls we share donor contact information, only with other charities with similar aims and objectives. These sharing arrangements help the Canadian Diabetes Association increase its fundraising through an expanded donor base.)

You have a right to update any personal information that we hold on you. Should you wish to see the full contents of an information file, you must make a formal written request and mail it to:

Privacy Officer
Canadian Diabetes Association
1400-522 University Avenue
Toronto, ON M5G 2R5

10. Your right to challenge our compliance with our privacy policy

If, for any reason, you are concerned about our compliance with our privacy policy, please contact our Privacy Officer at the address listed above.

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Rules and Regulations

Sweet Escape Contest Rules

Terms and Conditions for the Canadian Diabetes Association – Not What You Thought – Sweet Escape Contest

ELIGIBILITY

The Contest is open to all residents of Canada (other than in Quebec), who have reached (by the start date of the Contest) the age of majority in the province or territory in which they reside.

Competition Terms & Conditions

  1. The sponsor of the Competition is the Canadian Diabetes Association (“CDA”).
  2. The Competition commences on May 2, 2012 and closes on May 29, 2012(“The Competition Period”). No purchase necessary.
  3. *To qualify to enter this competition the participant must: *
    1. Log on to NotWhatYouThought.ca or www.facebook.com/notwhatyouthought.ca, go to the Pledge page and complete the electronic entry form (“Pledge form”) by filling in all required fields. By clicking “Submit” entrants will then be entered into the Contest.
      1. As a participant you would need to create a pledge relating to cutting back or paying more attention to the added sugars that exist in your diet. Entrants have the option to post their Pledge anonymously or have their Pledge featured on the public Pledge Wall.
    2. All entrants acknowledge and agree that they will not post content on the Pledge Wall that will infringe or violate the rights of other individuals or that will transgress the law.
    3. CDA will not reimburse entrants for any costs incurred in posting their pledge.
    4. Each entrant can only use one e-mail address (which must be valid) to submit their Electronic Entry. Maximum of one (1) Electronic Entry per person per day for the duration of the Contest. If it is discovered that an entrant attempted to enter more than one (1) Electronic Entry per day, all Electronic Entries for that entrant will be void.
  4. All pledges are, from time to time, checked by CDA after they are posted to the site and viewed by the public.
  5. CDA has the right to remove offensive or copyrighted content after they have been uploaded to the NotWhatYouThought.ca pledge wall.

    REFER-A-FRIEND BONUS ENTRY OPPORTUNITY

    Entrants who complete the electronic entry form and include up to three (3) of their friends' email addresses will receive one (1) refer-a-friend bonus entry in the Contest. Each friend referred will be sent an email containing a link to www.NotWhatYouThought.ca, which will identify Entrant as recommending that the email be sent.

    Winners of the contest will be chosen in the following manner:

  6. PRIZE:
    1. The winner will be determined by way of a random selection that will take place on June 4, 2012.
    2. The prize is a $5,000 gift certificate from McTavish Travel. The certificate does not expire, is not redeemable for cash and is good for any type of travel that can be booked through McTavish Travel.
      1. On June 4, 2012 at the offices of the CDA (1400-522 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2R5), CDA will choose the winner by randomly selecting a name from a pool of all participants who created valid entries.
      2. In the event of a dispute, the decision of CDA shall be final and binding on all aspects of the competition and no correspondence will be entered into.
      3. The final winner shall be notified by CDA at the email address they supply upon entry.
    3. There will be one winner of the prize.
  7. All participants acknowledge and agree that CDA and its agents can remove any content or information that is posted by the participant which breaches these terms and conditions.
  8. Participants excluded
    1. The promotion is not open to: Employees, directors and agents of CDA, their immediate families, life partners’, business partners and associates and any person directly involved with the devising, production, management or marketing of this promotion.
  9. All information relating to this competition and published on any promotional material shall form part of the terms and conditions of the entry.
  10. CDA, its associated companies, its agents, contractors and sponsors assume no liability whatsoever for any direct or indirect loss or damage arising from an entrant’s participation in the competition or for any loss or damage, howsoever arising.
  11. The prize winner agrees to participate in promotional photographs or other media relating to this contest and agrees to allow their name to be publicized.
  12. All claims for the prize will be subject to a validation check.
  13. All participants agree to be bound by the competition rules.
  14. The prize is not transferable. If the prize is not taken up for any reason, another draw shall be held to determine another winner.
  15. The prize may not be exchanged for cash amounts.
  16. CDA reserves the right to substitute the prize with another prize of similar commercial value.
  17. The Contest and participation therein is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein.
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