Sugar: Good or Bad? (Spoiler: It’s… Complicated, Sorry)

Sugar gets treated like a Bond villain.

Whisper it in a café and someone will gasp, clutch their pearls, and start reciting something they saw on a Netflix documentary.

But here’s the less dramatic, more Scrummy truth:

1. Sugar itself isn’t “evil” — eating patterns are.

Your body isn’t offended by sugar.

It doesn’t say, “Oh no, sucrose! Burn it! Hide the children!”

What matters is how much, how often, and in what context.

A scoop of sugar in your tea? Fine.

Eating Haribos like you’re fuelling a small carnival? Less fine.

2. The real issue: sugar is sneaky.

You expect it in cake.

You don’t expect it in yoghurts, sauces, soups, breads, “protein” bars, and anything described as “glazed,” “sticky,” or “delicious.”

Most people don’t choose high sugar—they just accidentally eat it all day because it’s everywhere.

Scrummy rule of thumb:

If you didn’t add the sugar yourself, check the label.

3. Sugar + no protein = chaos.

Sugar on its own hits your bloodstream like an over-excited toddler running through a quiet library.

Pair it with protein, fibre, or fat, and suddenly it behaves like a calm, polite, tax-paying citizen.

Translation:

A biscuit is lovely.

A biscuit with lunch is lovelier (and less likely to cause a sugar crash that makes you swear you’re “STARVING” at 3pm).

4. “Natural” sugar vs “added” sugar

Marketing departments would love you to believe honey is basically liquid health.

Your body… disagrees.

It processes honey, fruit sugar, caster sugar, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and that “organic artisanal monk juice” exactly the same way: as sugar.

The difference is:

whole fruit = fibre + nutrients + slow release

fruit juice = sugar bomb wearing a fruit costume

5. So… is sugar good or bad?

Neither.

It’s a tool. Like fire. Or Worcestershire sauce.

Sugar is great for:

• energy during exercise

• enjoying treats without guilt

• making food taste nice instead of sad

Sugar is not great for:

• replacing actual meals

• eating constantly without noticing

• hoping it will solve emotional problems (biscuits help, but only temporarily)

  
  

6. The Scrummy Way

Sugar is allowed.

Enjoyed properly.

Not demonised.

Not inhaled mindlessly.

Ask yourself:

“Is this treat worth it?”

and

“What am I pairing it with?”

If the answer to the first is “yes,” then brilliant — enjoy every bite.

If the answer to the second is “nothing,” add some protein or fibre and you’ll avoid the rollercoaster.

Bottom line

Sugar isn’t the enemy.

Confusion is.

And diet culture.

And stealth yoghurt sugar bombs pretending to be healthy.

Eat with awareness.

Enjoy treats.

Stay Scrummy.