Blog

Credit: Canva Our brain is our best friend. A friend we often take for granted!  To keep the brain healthy, we need to eat healthily. That means more whole foods, less ultra-processed foods, and limiting consumption of added and free sugars. Why? Read on.  Activating reward centre When eating sugary foods, the brain’s reward system … Continued

We are well aware that too much added and free sugar isn’t great for health, impacting mood, energy, the liver, and also the health of your heart. In fact, research has found that those who consume at least 15% of their daily energy from sugar – found in the obviously sweet stuff, such as cakes, soft … Continued

If you have concerns about heart health, you should pay attention to added and free sugar intake. Excess consumption isn’t good for heart health, in part due to the impact on the liver. The liver and the heart Development of non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease (NAFLD) has been linked with high intake of added sugars, particularly sugar-sweetened beverages, even … Continued

Small changes can have incredible impact, as has been proven by an exceptional New Zealand school. In 2006, Yendarra School in South Auckland introduced a water-only policy. That meant no sugar-sweetened beverages were allowed on campus, whether sold at the school or brought from home. Junk foods such as pies, icy poles and ice-creams were … Continued

There are various concerns for health following excessive and persistent added sugar consumption. In That Sugar Film, we saw the effect it had on Damon in as little as 60 days, and that was consuming seemingly “healthy” foods! The risk for developing such health conditions, including excessive weight gain, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and more, … Continued

In choosing what to eat to support health, we are often guided by what to exclude or restrict. The problem is, there are so many dietary ideas, recommendations and advice out there, collectively all the counting and restrictions can feel overwhelming. We suggest a simpler approach to healthy eating: focus instead on what foods to include. These … Continued

Sugar is added to a lot of our everyday packaged food and drink. This includes seemingly healthy foods, such as muesli bars, fruit-flavoured yoghurt and store-bought muffins, and those convenient foods we turn to when low on time and energy, such as instant soup and cereal. Without the need to whip up elaborate meals throughout … Continued

Identifying added and free sugars by learning how to read labels takes a little practice, though worth doing. By building awareness of where and how much added sugar is hiding in food and drink, we are less likely to over consume. This is important as too much of the sweet stuff increases the risk for tooth decay, type 2 … Continued

Most Aussies are consuming too much added and free sugar. Recommendations are to limit intake to 6 teaspoons (25g) per day, yet some boys aged 14-18 years are having at least 38 teaspoons of free sugars per day! Too much added and free sugar can lead short- and long-term health concerns, so it is important … Continued

Tucking into a tub of Häagen-Dazs, a packet of Skittles, or a slice of Aunty Val’s pavlova, without question you are eating added sugar. However, excessive amounts of the sweet stuff can creep into everyday foods without us realising, even in products that appear ‘healthy’. In fact, Australians over-consume free and added sugars, surpassing the recommended limit of … Continued

Everyday we are exposed to ultra-processed packaged food and drink that is fancy looking, hyper-palatable, super-cheap, and easily accessible – yet ultimately unhealthy. Whether online, on the TV, at school, on public transport, or at the weekend sporting match, it is hard to avoid the temptation of such offerings by the “Big Food” industry.  In the face … Continued

Most of us want to eat well. And we should. It is imperative for optimal brain and body function. While it is obvious that certain foods are not great for us (yes, that Krispy Kreme is not designed to nourish your body), in this online age we are constantly bombarded with sometimes conflicting nutrition information … Continued