I was on TV this week discussing the Sugar tax.
I was a guest on The Great British Breakfast on Thursday 15th July morning.
I believe food manufacturers should be mandated to reduce sugar and replace it with safe natural sweeteners such as stevia and erythritol.
Sugar taxes although somewhat successful have still led to increased consumption. Overall, consumption of sugar rose by 2.6% between 2015 and 2018, PHE said.
Even though consumption has reduced but not by the 20% target.
It shows that the sugar tax on soft drinks introduced in 2017 has proved unexpectedly successful and has led to a 28.8% fall in the amount of sugar contained in beverages.
Is it a good idea?
I have given this even more thought than I had prior to the interview. Clearly, the overweight and obesity problem is a major health emergency in this country and most western countries.
I think the companies should be forced/mandated to change the formulations of their products. They have made us addicted, or at least those of us who find it impossible to stop at one piece of chocolate or one biscuit. Sugar used to be very expensive and a sign of wealth. But if the government wants to ensure being a healthy weight is not just something confined to those who can afford it, or those who have the education or the will to do something about it, we will have a very unfair society.
Cigarette taxes are exorbitant. Yet they have worked. When we were told cigarettes were a direct cause of cancer, we gave up. I’m sure the price puts many people off too.
There have been many campaigns about the danger of obesity and causes many different kinds of cancer.
But sugar is highly addictive, and many people still don’t know this. It is more addictive than cocaine and lights up more pleasure centres in the brain.
You don’t need to blame yourself if you can’t say ‘no’.
But the good news is there are great-tasting alternatives.
If you need help quitting sugar like you quit alcohol or quit smoking, get in touch, or seek help by joining a programme.
You may well sleep better at night too, and feel proud of yourself.