Straight from the Blue Planet, only one man can save our country from this big, fat crisis
The subject of the “sugar tax” is never far from the headlines.
Last week former Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain waded into the debate.
What should be done about our addiction to the sweet stuff? A sugar tax on soft drinks was introduced in
April. Some believe we should go further, and lump it on to everything, from chocolate to cake.
Nadiya isn’t one of them. And I’m with her. Making sweet treats more expensive isn’t going to stop people eating them.
I understand the argument that a sugar tax will hit the people who can least afford it.
Often people with the poorest diets live in the most deprived areas and have the lowest income.
So slapping 10p on of a box of doughnuts isn’t the answer.
We need to do something, though. It’s embarrassing that we are consistently quoted as being one of the most obese nations in Europe.
I believe in educating people that what we put into our bodies has an effect on what we get out of our bodies.
But we must try something new, too – governments and experts have been lecturing us about healthy eating for decades.
Think of the impact the David Attenborough series Blue Planet had on us. The graphic scenes of oceans awash with plastic containers. Showing us those harrowing pictures of animals being killed or tortured by plastic was a real wake-up call.
We made more effort with recycling, and checked out packaging before we bought anything.
What we need is a Blue Planet about obesity. Could someone please make a TV series on sugar and unhealthy food and show the impact it can really have on us with amazing photography, videography and voiceovers.
Maybe seeing will be believing and our habits will change, once and for all.
But we need to get moving more, too. Sugar has always been out there – think of the sweet shops that were around when we were younger.
Watch an old black and white movie, though, and you’ll rarely see a fat person in one.
Life was freer back then, we spent more time outdoors, were more agile and on the go.
Now we all love our cars and screens too much.
I have a sweet tooth and I’m not giving up my puddings for anyone. I love treats. But the keys are moderation and movement.
Eat those treats – but don’t go overboard – and move! You’ll soon start to feel better about yourself.
I do think a TV series has potential, though. So, come on, Sir David, how about it?
Your country needs you!