Sugar is something that makes so many of us weak at the knees. It tastes good and it makes us feel good – but only ever temporarily. Not only does consuming large amounts of sugar have a negative effect on our bodies, it also affects our mood.
Sugar Awareness Week (20th January- 26th) is upon us and it’s a great time to make a few changes to our diets and reflect on how sugar makes us feel.
Why reduce your sugar intake?
According to NHS stats, 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 children are overweight and obesity levels in the UK have risen by 92% since the 1990s. There are no two ways about it, we need to adapt as a society where the diet is concerned and that means reducing our sugar intake.
Another huge danger of excessive sugar intake is the effect it has on our dental health. Teeth are the only part of the body that can’t repair themselves. Tooth decay is the second most common health issue in the UK after the common cold. The bottom line is, what we’re eating is harming our teeth. Yes, it’s our responsibility to make changes, but are we being let down by the relentless advertising of products that are simply too full of sugar?
Thankfully, we’ve started to see changes. In July of 2018, the Advertising Standards Authority concluded that companies don’t do enough to prevent under 16s seeing junk food ads. With the stats mentioned above in mind, there’s clearly still a long way to go.
The sugar tax – what’s the deal?
Boris Johnson has said he will launch a review into the efficacy of the sugar tax if he remains in power, suggesting that it might “clobber those who can least afford it”. Whilst this is a statement that almost certainly speaks truths, it seems contradictory to tax cigarettes and sugary products when both have been proven to shorten lives. If Boris Johnson’s government want to maintain efforts to reduce the obesity crisis, they will need an alternative plan in place if they are to scrap the tax. Food for thought indeed.
Sugar Awareness Week: what can you do?
Countdown to Sugar Awareness Week here and learn about the week. You can even take a test to check if you need to make some changes to cut your sugar intake down. Why not enlist the help of your friends and colleagues to make some changes for the week? Try giving up sugar for Sugar Awareness Week, 7 days – we dare you!
Sticking to the recommended government guidelines will help you avoid diet-related health complications, not to mention you won’t feel grouchy because of sugar lows!
Author: healthier matters
