There is demand for sugar-free foods, but do the products deliver on their better-for-you promise? We investigate the two largest categories, soft drinks and confectionery.
The idea that eating sugar causes diabetes persists despite an increased understanding of the complex and multi-factorial aetiology of type 2 diabetes. We asked one of the nutrition community’s wise elders, Professor Paul Nestel for his words of wisdom on the topic.
Joanna Baker is a foodie, Dietitian and Registered nurse, who is passionate about digestive health. She now works exclusively on IBS and food intolerance, dividing her time between consulting as an advisor to FODMAP Friendly and Everyday Nutrition, her Melbourne based private practice.
The idea that sugar is an addictive substance that creates neurobiological changes similar to those in drug addiction is popular. The authors of this paper reviewed human and animal neuroscience studies on sugar and compared it with studies on drug addiction to find out if sugar could indeed be acting like a drug that could contribute to overeating and obesity.
Despite the media focus on sugar, our biggest nutritional issue is eating too many discretionary foods. The last National Health Survey results showed Australians over 2 years of age are consuming 35% of their total kilojoules as discretionary foods (1).
Keep up to date with the latest news and publications from Sugar Nutrition Resource Centre.
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