Fight Against Sugar

Are we fighting sugar of something bigger?

As I reflect on our relationship with sugar this World Obesity Day, March 4, 2025, I want to shine a light on the real reasons behind obesity—and why fighting back is so difficult. It’s not just about eating less and moving more. It’s about an industry that has hooked us on sugar, making it nearly impossible to resist.

Is the problem really about individual willpower, or are we trapped in a system designed to keep us addicted??

The Sugar Trap: How We Got Addicted

Walk into any supermarket, and you’ll find sugar in almost everything—even foods that never used to have it. Bread, sauces, salad dressings, yogurt, even so-called ‘healthy’ snacks are loaded with hidden sugars. Why? Because the food industry has spent decades perfecting the art of addiction.

Why did the food industry start adding sugar to foods that never needed it?

The rise of sugar addiction can be traced back to the mid-20th century when processed foods became more widespread. In the 1970s, the low-fat craze took hold, and to make up for the loss of flavor, companies started adding more sugar. But it wasn’t just about taste—sugar also helps extend shelf life, enhances texture, and, most importantly, keeps consumers coming back for more. Over time, it became a staple ingredient in products that never required it in the first place.

Studies show that sugar activates the brain’s reward system in a way that mirrors addictive drugs. The more we consume, the more we crave, creating a vicious cycle that’s incredibly difficult to break.

Common Foods with Unnecessary Added Sugar:

Bread – Many supermarket-bought breads, including whole wheat, contain added sugars to enhance flavour and texture.
Yogurt – Even "healthy" or "low-fat" yogurts often have high amounts of added sugar to compensate for the reduced fat.
Salad Dressings – Sweeteners are added to balance acidity and enhance flavour, even in savoury dressings.
Pasta Sauce – Many brands add sugar to create a richer, more appealing taste.
Granola & Cereal – Often marketed as healthy, but many brands have as much sugar as a chocolate bar.
Peanut Butter – Some brands add sugar when plain peanuts are naturally flavourful on their own.
Deli Meats & Bacon – Sugar is often added as a preservative and flavour enhancer.
Tinned Soup – Sugar is commonly added to balance out acidity in tomato-based soups.
Crackers & Snack Bars – Even savoury snacks can contain hidden sugars.
Milk Alternatives (Almond, Oat, Soy Milk) – Many flavoured or even “plain” versions have added sugar.

Why Did This Happen?

Taste Manipulation: Sugar makes processed foods more palatable, ensuring customers keep coming back.
Fat-Free Craze: In the 1970s and '80s, fat was villainized, so companies replaced fat with sugar to maintain flavour.
Longer Shelf Life: Sugar acts as a preservative in many processed foods.
Addiction and Profit: The more sugar people eat, the more they crave, leading to increased sales.

The Systemic Issue: Why It’s Not Just About Willpower

Telling people to simply ‘eat better’ is not enough when the odds are stacked against them. Unhealthy food is not only more accessible but often more affordable than whole, nutritious foods. Marketing campaigns target children from a young age, normalizing sugar consumption as part of daily life.

And as a parent, I feel this pressure first hand. My children are growing up with far more sugar in their daily lives than I ever did. At schools, at parties, on playdates—sweets, burgers, chips, pizza, and unhealthy snacks are everywhere. The social expectation to indulge is overwhelming. If I offered them vegetables instead of sweets at a gathering, would I be the unpopular parent? Or is this just my perception? The reality is, sugar is embedded into our culture, making it even harder to resist—for both kids and adults.

Big corporations invest billions into making sure their products remain irresistible, and governments have been slow to take action. The result? A global obesity crisis that isn’t just about ‘eating too much’—it’s about being systematically set up to fail.

You Are Not Alone: Breaking Free from Sugar Addiction

If you’re struggling with sugar cravings or obesity, know this: it is not your fault. The system was designed to keep you addicted. But you can fight back.

Making a change to your eating habits is not easy, but it is possible. Small steps—like cutting down on processed foods, increasing whole foods, and being mindful of hidden sugars—can make a big difference. And most importantly, you are not alone in this fight.

Steps to Take Back Control:

Read Labels Carefully: Look for hidden sugars in everyday foods. If the label is too long and the ingredient list is endless, run for it!
Choose Whole Foods: Opt for fresh, unprocessed foods whenever possible.
Reduce Sugary Drinks: Cut down on soft drinks, fruit juices, and sweetened coffee drinks.
Prepare More Meals at Home: Cooking from scratch gives you control over what goes into your food.
Educate Your Kids Early: Teach them about the effects of sugar and encourage healthier choices.

This is a shout-out to everyone battling sugar addiction, to those making an effort despite the odds. Cheers to anyone questioning the system, making informed choices, and pushing for a healthier future.

Together, we can demand better—better food, better policies, and better health. Because fighting obesity shouldn’t just be about personal willpower. It should be about changing the system that got us here in the first place.

Final Thought: A Call for Change

Obesity is not just an individual struggle; it's a public health crisis fuelled by an industry that profits from addiction. The first step to breaking free is awareness. The second is action. Let’s challenge food companies, advocate for policy changes, and reclaim control over what we put in our bodies. The fight for better health starts now.