Zoe Davies, Nutritionist of Action on Sugar

The need to reduce population intake of free sugars is not a new concept. Evidence has consistently shown that an unhealthy diet; low in fruit, vegetables, pulses, nuts and high in salt, free sugars, saturated and trans fats, is known to be one of the leading global risks of death.  

When we specifically look at a diet high in free sugars, this can often lead to weight gain and dental caries, with overweight and obesity increasing the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, stroke and mental health conditions.  

The government recommends we consume no more than 5% of our daily energy intake from free sugars, with <4years olds recommended to avoid added sugar altogether. However, the government’s latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey shows all age groups are consuming more than this1.  

Reducing overweight and obesity requires a multi-disciplinary approach and lowering population free sugars intake is just one step of this ladder. 

“Breakfast. The most Important Sweet Meal of the Day”  

Our theme this year focuses on the incredibly sweet breakfast options being sold to us by the food industry. Recent Mintel data found that during the lockdown period, more people had the time to prepare cooked breakfasts, however since returning to the commuting lifestyle, quicker, more convenient ‘on-the-go' breakfasts are rising in popularity again with the most popular choices at home being breakfast cereals and toast2 3. Cereals, along with sweet spreads, fruit juice and other sweet breakfast items, all contribute a significant amount of free sugars to our daily intake 4. 

Over the years Action on Sugar has conducted surveys on breakfast products such as cereals and yogurts with packaging appealing to children, and waffles and pancakes sold to us in the out of home sector. Most products are high in sugar with little in the way of healthy options. In fact, a bowl of cereal and pot of yogurt with child friendly packaging could surpass the maximum recommended daily intake for an adult, let alone a child5. Despite this, these products often use nutrition claims such as ‘high in fibre’ or ‘a source of wholegrain’ to make them appear healthier than they are. 

Across all food categories, there are healthier, lower sugar, versions available, showing us, the food industry, and the government that lower sugar products exist and can be achieved through reformulation without safety or technical issues, and sold successfully, reinforcing the case for national sugar reduction programmes to give consumers healthier options.  

This sugar awareness week, we will be encouraging the food industry to reformulate their breakfast products and take an in-depth look at what the future for nutrition policy could hold now that the Sugar Reduction Programme has come to an end.  

Supporting healthy breakfasts early on 

Eating breakfast is well known to boost concentration in children, reduce absences and in the long term close the attainment gap for disadvantaged students6. Childhood is a crucial time to shape food preference and a healthy lifestyle in childhood prevents overweight, obesity and related illnesses in adolescence and adulthood 7 8 9. 

Currently however, the number of children that start primary school with overweight and obesity in the UK almost doubles by the time they leave7, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in children is rising8 and a quarter of 5-year-olds have tooth decay when they start school9. That’s why this year’s awareness week will also be used to champion healthy breakfast options, low in sugar, in schools and early years settings. 

Get Involved 

Sugar Awareness Week is international, so advocates from around the world will be joining in the call for the food industry to remove all the unnecessary sugar from our food and drink, particularly those intended for children. 

If you would like to get involved in Sugar Awareness Week 2022, whether through running an event or working with schools/nurseries, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us: sugar@qmul.ac.uk and join the conversation on social media with the hashtag #SugarAwarenessWeek Twitter: @actiononsugar Instagram: @actiononsaltandsugar