Sugar: An open conversation

A very different blog post from me today.

Today I just want to share some questions, thoughts and opinions around sugar  without diving too deep but I’d love for you to continue the conversation with me. I find some of these ideas really interesting and would love your take.

If you want to give me your opinion or views on any of the following, get in touch: 📧 Email: John@johnwarburtonfitness.co.uk 📱 Phone/text: 07891648925

Thought 1 – Could higher sugar consumption and lower activity levels be contributing to anxiety?

Kids go HYPER when they have too much sugar, then they burn it off running around.

But what happens to adults who consume too much sugar? (Outside of weight gain or diabetes.)

Most adults in the UK don’t exercise consistently week to week.

So where does all that excess energy go? Are adults able to metabolise sugar differently than children? 

I’ve never seen any evidence of that, have you?

Could that unburned energy show up as nervous energy or anxiety? It seems plausible to me.

 What do you think? Does sugar play a role in how we feel mentally, not just physically?

Thought 2 – Sugar: Addictive?

Is sugar really addictive? 

It’s been compared to cocaine… but really? Come on, surely not.

No one’s sticking a spoon in a bag of sugar and eating it, are they?

 (I’ve never seen it, have you?)

Usually, people talk about foods that contain sugar as being addictive but those foods also contain fat.

 Why? Because fat tastes good. Sugar tastes good. Combine the two and you’ve got heaven.

These foods are hyperpalatable meaning they taste amazing  and they can trigger cravings and habits that keep us coming back for more and more and I’m sad to say it but even more.

So maybe it’s not sugar addiction, but clever food design/marketing  from companies spending millions to make products as irresistible (and marketable) as possible.

 Do you think you’re more drawn to sweet foods, fatty foods, or that perfect mix of both?

Thought 3 – Fruit is high in sugar… so is it good or bad for you?

This one’s boring for me now.

Yes, fruit contains sugar.

No, fruit is not bad because it contains sugar.

Fruit also gives us vitamins, minerals, fibre, and phytonutrients.

And no one, absolutely no one has ever told me they’re overweight or unhealthy from eating too much fruit.

Have you ever heard anyone say that? No, I didn't think so.

Have you ever cut out fruit because someone said or you read that it was bad for you due to the sugar?

Thought 4 – “Sugar makes you fat.” Only sugar. Solely sugar and nothing else. Instantly.

There’s no single nutrient that makes us fat.

Eating in a calorie surplus makes us fat.

Sugar can contribute to that, but it’s not the sole cause.

Add sugar to food, it tastes good. Add fat and it tastes good. Combine them? That’s cake, cookies, doughnuts… heaven again.

These foods are calorie dense and easy to overeat. One cookie might be 300+ calories — gone in 3–5 bites. And let’s be honest, it’s rarely just one, right you cheeky little cookie monster? 

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to lose track of calories when foods are this good?

Thought 5 – Reducing sugar intake doesn’t mean cutting out carbs

Technically, all carbohydrates (Fibre the exception) are broken down into glucose for energy or to be stored as glycogen. Any excess (and excess calories overall) can be stored as fat.

But reducing sugar doesn’t mean you must eliminate carbs.

Carbs often get a bad rap, but they’re not bad for you.

You can’t lump rice, pasta, and potatoes in with sweets, chocolate, and pastries. Sure, they’re all carbs, but the first group also offers nutrients that support health and performance.

Sweets and pastries? They taste amazing, but they’re not very filling and that’s where overconsumption creeps in.

So yes, reduce sugar if you want to it’ll naturally lower your carb intake but don’t confuse complex carbs with simple sugars.

 Have you ever cut carbs before? Did it make you feel better, worse, or just hungry?

Final thought

Sugar is one of those topics where everyone seems to have a strong opinion so let’s hear yours.

Do you think sugar affects your mood, energy or cravings more than you realised?

 Send me a message or drop a comment, I’d love to chat about it.