Sugar - Australian Diabetes Council

Position Statement
Australian Diabetes Council’s position on sugar
Australian Diabetes Council calls for balanced eating, not fad diets
November 2012 – Recently there has been significant public debate on the role of
sugar in Australian diets and whether it is the cause of the obesity epidemic in Australia
and around the world i .
Australian Diabetes Council believes that it is important that Australians take a balanced
view to nutrition drawing on a range of foods, rather than focusing on single nutrients as
‘good’ or ‘bad.’ No single nutrient is responsible for weight gain or loss. Total kilojoule
intake from all food, however, is directly related to weight gain and loss.
Australian’s relationship with food and our environment, and their roles in increasing
rates of obesity, is complex. Although overall consumption of cane sugars had
decreased then stabilised in the past 5 years, there has been a rise in the consumption
of sugar in manufactured or processed foods. So it’s important for people to look at
their overall lifestyle including their nutritional intake and discuss their personal
circumstances with their health care team.
Obesity is a very complex issue, and for this reason Australian Diabetes Council
advocates education about different foods, and improved nutritional literacy, with a focus
on eating fresh, wholefoods.
It is best to look at overall diet, focus on eating real foods, rather than focusing on single
nutrients.
We encourage those who are overweight, living with diabetes, or concerned about their
diet to speak with health care professionals, such as accredited practicing dietitians.
We support the need for greater public discussion and focus on food and nutrition.
Australian Diabetes Council has a wide range of community programs which focus on
teaching greater nutritional literacy, and we work for the interests of our members -
people living with diabetes – every day.
When discussing sugars, it is important to remember:
• There are a number of types of sugar, such as lactose which naturally occurs
in dairy, and fructose which naturally occurs in fruits and honeys
• Sugars, such as fructose, lactose, and those derived from starchy foods
processed by the body, are essential nutrients in balanced amounts –
providing the fuel for our brains, kidneys and red blood cells, as well as our
muscles
• Too many added sugars, as with added refined starches and fats, are a
source of unnecessary kilojoules, which can lead to weight gain

About Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that is diagnosed when there are abnormally high levels of
glucose (sugar) in the blood. More than three million or one in four Australian adults
over the age of 25 have either diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (pre-diabetes) ii .
There are two main types: Type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes, which represents 10-
15% of cases; and Type 2 (non-insulin dependent but may be insulin requiring), which
represents 85-90% of cases and may be prevented in around 60% of people at risk.
About Australian Diabetes Council
Formed in 1938, Australian Diabetes Council is Australia’s oldest and largest not-forprofit
organisation focused on providing support and services nationally and
internationally to people living with and at risk of diabetes, their families, carers, friends
and allied health professionals.
As the peak consumer body for diabetes, the first diabetes organisation in Australia and
the third oldest diabetes association in the world, we have a long history of successfully
working with our members, creating a powerful shared voice for diabetes, now and in
the future.
We also play a vital role in informing the whole community about diabetes and its
complications.
2013 marks our 75th Anniversary and we look forward to celebrating with you all next
year.
Australians can call Australian Diabetes Council on 1300 DIABETES or 1300 342 238, or
visit www.australiandiabetescouncil.com for more information or to make a donation.
References
i Lustig, R H et al, ‘Public health: The toxic truth about sugar’, Nature, 2012 vol 27-29
ii AusDiab 2005. IDI, 2006