Is Sugar Sabotaging Your Health?
What You Really Need To Know
Let’s face it: sugar has become the nutritional villain of the decade. But is it really the root of all our health issues — or is the story more complex? If you're navigating hormonal shifts in your body, energy, and metabolism, you're probably wondering: Should I be cutting sugar completely? Is it the reason I feel bloated, tired, and stuck?
Let’s cut through the noise and get to the truth.
Is Sugar Really the Enemy? Short answer: Not exactly.
Sugar can be problematic — but it's rarely the sole reason you're not seeing results. What matters more is:
How much sugar you're consuming
Where it's coming from
How it's affecting your overall eating patterns, hormones, and energy
Recent research has shown that added sugars, particularly from sweetened drinks, ultra-processed snacks, and low-nutrient ‘diet’ foods, are linked to:
Increased visceral fat - (fat around our organs)
Blood sugar imbalances
Insulin resistance (especially in perimenopause)
Heightened cravings and mood swings
But here's what often gets overlooked: sugar itself isn’t ‘toxic.’ It’s the context and volume that matter most.
As we move through our late 30s, 40s, and 50s, our hormonal landscape starts to shift — especially oestrogen, progesterone, and insulin sensitivity. This means:
Your body doesn't process carbs (including sugar) as efficiently as it once did
Your cravings may spike during perimenopause
Afternoon energy crashes and belly fat become more noticeable
But eliminating sugar completely isn’t the answer — and in many cases, it can backfire.
Think Balance, Not Bans
Let’s reframe the conversation. It’s not about cutting sugar forever.
It’s about creating a sustainable relationship with food that supports your hormones, energy, and sanity. Here's what that looks like:
Ditching hidden sugars in packaged foods and low-fat ‘healthy’ snacks
Prioritising protein, fibre, and healthy fats to stabilise blood sugar
Enjoying occasional sweet foods mindfully — no guilt required
Focus on balanced meals, smart movement, and stress management, they’re a key piece of the puzzle
Research shows that blood sugar stability (not total sugar elimination) is what drives long-term health outcomes — especially in midlife.
What Actually Moves the Needle
If you’re serious about improving your energy, body composition, and overall health — sugar awareness is part of the puzzle, not the whole picture.
✅ Consistent, balanced meals
✅ Adequate protein (especially at breakfast)
✅ Smart movement that reduces insulin resistance
✅ Stress + sleep management (yes, these matter more than sugar sometimes)
Bottom Line
Is sugar the biggest problem in our diets? No, not if we’re looking at the full picture.
It’s easy to blame sugar — but what we really need is a deeper understanding of our bodies, especially during the midlife transition. That’s how we move from restriction to results.
Want Help Balancing Your Blood Sugar Without Cutting All the Joy?
Take the first step to feeling energised - Download my FREE Class now and learn the 3 common mistakes women over 35 make — and how to fuel your body for more energy, fewer cravings, and sustainable fat loss - and how to fix them.
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Ciao for now, Ex.