At various points over the last few decades that I’ve been doing this, all the different macronutrients have been demonised.
Protein, fats and carbs have all had their times where they were considered to be the principal problem in our diets.
Most recently, it’s been carbs, especially sugar.
Now I think it’s fair to say that the vast majority of people would benefit from making a few changes that reduce their overall sugar intake.
But that doesn’t make it fundamentally fattening.
But high sugar and fat foods are often hyperpalatable and really easy to overdo.
A calorie deficit will lose you weight no matter what it’s made up of, but most find that harder to do on a high sugar diet.
And, if the calories are equal, a diet that’s high in sugar would mean less of the other nourishment that could be found in other energy sources.
Over the last few years I’ve noticed an increase in usage of the following sentence;
“You need some sugar in your diet”
Like I’ve ever said not to have any sugar.
And, nearly always, those using that phrase are using as justification to mainline cake and biscuits at work and inhale a tub of Ben & Jerry’s in front the tele in the evening.
All perfectly valid things that they can do.
It’s their life, who would I be to suggest otherwise.
But I’m not sure the justification of “needing sugar” really holds up here.
As the blog title says, it’s a bit like drinking 20 pints of beer so you don’t die of dehydration.
I’ll be honest, unless you’re doing some ridiculously restrictive diet, you’re going to get enough carbs and sugar.
You’d be hard pressed to avoid them to a degree for any length of time that might have negative implications on your health.
For the vast majority of people, I don’t think they need to worry too much about making sure they get enough carbs and sugar.
Get in calorie maintenance or deficit
Gets a bit more fresh and nutritious foods the majority of the time.
Maybe, when you’ve done that, increase your protein a little bit.
And that will be more than enough for 99% of us.
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Much love,
Jon ‘For my honey’ Hall
P.S. It’s my birthday today. A week after my 19th birthday, I was the only one who managed the full 20 pints on an all day movie marathon challenge in the Junior Common Room in my University Halls of Residence. Unsurprisingly, I was fat back then.
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RISE in Macclesfield was established in 2012 and specialise in Group Personal Training weight loss programmes for those that don’t like the gym and find diets boring and restrictive!
