What's wrong with the "sugar is bad" message? -

SUGAR !!!

The word itself is enough to put fear into most people these days.

In case you have been living under a rock lately, I am sure you have heard the headlines. Sugar is evil, poison, dangerous, toxic. The message is loud and clear… SUGAR = BAD.

Let’s look a little deeper.

What is wrong with the “sugar is bad” message.

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I haven’t got a crystal ball, but I am going to make a prediction anyway. The “sugar is bad” message is going to play out exactly like the “eat less fat” message of the 80’s and 90’s.

Back in the 80’s and early 90’s we were told to eat less saturated fat.

Simple right?

Trim a little bit of fat of our meat and reduce some portion sizes. That’s it !!

Eat a little bit less fat and don’t replace it with anything else = GREAT
Eat ZERO fat and replace it with unlimited amounts of everything else = DISASTER

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What happened back in the 80’s is that we assumed that fat was evil and everything else had a halo around it. We tried to eat ZERO fat (which was never the original instruction, but we do love an ALL or NOTHING mentality). We ate truckloads of everything else that was considered “low fat”.

Look at what a huge mess that got us into.

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I can see the “sugar is bad” message playing out exactly the same way.

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The simple message is “Eat less sugar”.

The World Health Organisation recommends approx 25 – 30 grams of added sugar per day (not zero).

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If we reduce our sugar intake down to around 30 grams per day we will all be better off, no doubt about it. BUT, again with the ALL or NOTHING mentality. I can see it already…

People reducing their sugar to ZERO (which is not necessary) and giving themselves permission to eat truckloads of any product that doesn’t contain sugar.

Eat less sugar (30 grams per day) and don’t replace it with anything else = GREAT
Eat zero sugar and replace it with unlimited amounts of everything else = DISASTER

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AAAAHHHHH !!!!

(just had to get that out)

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But Chriss, what is wrong with cutting out sugar entirely?

Nothing… Physically anyway.

The difference between eating zero sugar or 30 grams of sugar per day is minimal. So why am I so mad about the “sugar is bad” message.

Because mentally and emotionally telling people that sugar is toxic and we must quit it completely is totally different from telling people that its fine in small quantities.

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Imagine the following.

I have a $1000 budget to spend each week
If I spend more than this I will go into debt
I am told “don’t spend ANYTHING on sparkly jewellery” (my personal fave). That stuff is terrible and will ensure you go into debt
You can spend as much as you like on other stuff, as long as you stay away from the dangerous sparkles.

What happens next..

I cant stop thinking about the sparkly jewellery (because its deemed off limits)
My life is just not as sparkly
I probably spend more than my $1000 budget because of the message “everything else is good”
I may spend more than my $1000 budget because I am feeling deprived of my jewels. 🙁

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Let’s compare it to this message

“Hey Chriss, its probably best you don’t spend too much on sparkly jewellery, otherwise you might end up either A) over budget, or B) not covering your essential bills (protein, veg and essential fats ). A little bit of jewellery (sugar) is fine, but don’t go overboard.”
My reply.. “Oh, OK cool. I can deal with that.”

Can you see and feel the difference with these 2 messages?

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The truth is you can consume ZERO sugar and put ON weight. I have written about that in full HERE (video included) .

You can consume ZERO sugar and still ride the blood sugar rollercoaster. (Not desirable for SO MANY REASONS). If you consume a lot of low sugar / high carbohydrate items such as rice, pasta, bread, potato chips, crackers etc.

*** Again, this doesn’t mean these products are bad, lets not go jumping to that ALL or NOTHING conclusion again.

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IMPORTANT.

The white crystals of table sugar that we sprinkle in our cuppa are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the amount of sugar we consume each day. It is way more important to become aware and count all of the sugar contained in most packaged foods and drinks.

They are commonly referred to as “hidden sugars”, but I call BULLSH#T on that in THIS ARTICLE. (Seriously, you NEED to read this one too)

With almost 20 years experience, Chriss Tinslay is one of Australia’s leading Personal Trainers.
Chriss started her career into the fitness and personal training industry in 1994 as a receptionist at the local gym she attended and loved.
She quickly went on to become qualified and registered as a Master Trainer with Fitness Australia. Over the last 20 years Chriss has helped 1000’s of people transform their bodies and lives.

Chriss has appeared in the biggest loser DVD series, Mornings with Kerri-Anne and has written her first short book “15 weight loss secrets that you need to know”.

She runs regular face to face and online fat loss coaching programs.

Chriss believes that fitness and fat loss should fit into your fabulous life, NOT take over it. You can connect with her on Facebook where she shares useful tips each and every day.