It is an undisputed fact that in recent years our world has become fatter and unhealthier. In fact over 8 million South Africans are obese!

What is the root cause of this? Fat versus sugar - which is worse? This question has been a hot topic in the press, with arguments raging back and forth. Are you better off with a chocolate bar or a piece of cheese?

Let’s get real. Only horses snack on sugar cubes and when last did you sneak a spoonful of butter from the fridge late at night? A recent BBC2 Horizon program on fat versus sugar was intended to try and settle the argument as to whether fat is our real enemy (as we have been told for decades) or sugar. The conclusion was that it is the combination of fat and sugar that’s the problem.

The modern processed foods industry knows this and that’s why you’re rarely sold the two separately. The industrialization of food production has provided us with highly attractive, inexpensive and palatable food products full of fat and sugar. Scientists showed that a combination of fat and sugar (such as in milk chocolate or ice cream) has a similar effect on your brain to cocaine. There is a huge surge of dopamine (the neurotransmitter that activates the reward centres of the brain) when you eat fatty, sugary foods. Remove either and your tub of ice cream will be a lot less addictive, and have fewer calories!

For decades, fat has been labelled the “bad boy” in diet and nutrition. However, recent studies indicate that fat is no worse for us than carbohydrates. In fact, diets that are low in carbohydrates and high in fats are now widely regarded as being healthier, particularly in terms of blood glucose control and weight loss, than low fat, higher carb diet plans.

Sugar on the other hand provides no nutrition and is often referred to as “empty calories”. It also increases blood sugar levels, which is one of the reasons why people with diabetes are advised to cut sugar from their daily intake. Limiting sugar is a good way to get your blood glucose levels under control.

So what is the answer to all this? It is actually quite simple. If you want to lose weight avoid processed foods made with sugar and fat. These foods affect your brain in a completely different way from whole foods and it’s hard for anyone to resist eating too much. Rather than focussing on what you should be cutting out, think about what you should be eating more of! Swap fatty, sugary snacks for fruit and veggies and have good helpings of these at mealtimes too. Replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats; use olive oil and grapeseed oil instead of butter. Drink low fat milk, and ditch white starchy carbs for wholegrain versions, choose fish or chicken instead of processed or fatty meats. Also, keep an eye on the amount of added sugar so that you don’t end up consuming too many empty calories.

There is nothing new about our love of fat and sugar because they are rich sources of calories which can be laid down as fat to fuel activity. Unlike our ancestors most of us don’t walk great distances to find food.  For many of us it’s just a click of the mouse! Physical activity is crucial in preventing obesity and its associated diseases. Exercise can not only protect against calorie-rich diets, but also against a strong predisposition to obesity. A daily walk of 30 minutes won’t be a bad start!

Aren’t we asking the wrong question? It’s not about which is worse for you (fat or sugar), but what can be done to curb the obesity epidemic in this country?

Bottom line: Avoid processed foods, eat healthy whole foods and exercise regularly. Simple as that! You can read more about Sugar addiction here.

Source: www.diabetes.co.uk, www.bbcactive.com, www.dailymail.co.uk, www.bhf.org.uk, www.zoeharcombe.com, www.huffingtonpost.co.uk

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.