Jam is falling out of fashion. The sweet treat, a cooked combination of sugar and fruit, seems to be being shunned for health reasons. It's not the fruit that's the problem, of course. It's the sugar.
Sugar has been villainized by the health-craze and rising carb-consciousness of recent years and, as jams are often half sugar, it might make sense that consumers could be concerned. Of course, jam is hardly a major source of sugar in people's diets, though the fruity spreads often have much more sugar than fruit, very few people are eating jam by the jarful. More than likely, candy and sodas are far exceeding the consumption of sugar from jam, but the preserves industry is taking a hit because it is something people feel they are willing to go without.
The trend is very noticeable in England, where jam or marmalade was served with toast and scones at both breakfast and tea on most days. I am certain that I'm not the only one who has noticed the proliferation of sugar-free "jams" on this side of the Atlantic, too.
I don't want to see jam go the way of other, once beloved, foods. Jam is delicious and far from the worst thing you can eat. Perhaps a campaign to spread awareness is in order.
May is National BBQ Month and National Hamburger Month
Cupcakes, not for dessert (unless beef is your idea of a treat)
Because eating French Fries in the car is so tough
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-02-2006 @ 8:52AM
Bonnie said...
Aye, aye to that! An olden day treat that is too sweet and special to lose. "Make your own" will be my stand, when there's no other jam to be had. And what of all the delectibles that can only be at their best with jam? Crumpets, muffins, scones - are they to be scorned and shunned in the same way? Life would indeed be less blessed.
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6-02-2006 @ 11:06AM
Lill Norton said...
Ye Gad what would breakfast be with out Jam and Toast. With so many other worries we have each and every day why oh why would the subject of eating or not eating jam come up? Well must go my morning breakfast, which includes toast and jam is waiting.
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6-02-2006 @ 12:27PM
chester said...
I don't think jam will ever go away but it's true. I grew up eating lots of jam and I rarely see it at the breakfast table in many people's homes or at restaurants. Great comfort food, i must say.
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6-02-2006 @ 8:13PM
yelena said...
i just had a gorgeous buttered english muffin with jam and tea for breakfast the other day. and it was my mom's homemade strawberry jam! nothing better in the world!
-yelena
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