Sarah Wilson of “I Quit Sugar” has published a “fruit pyramid" on social media. It has annoyed me so much that I will have to do this rant in point form. What does it mean to “quit sugar”? Sugar is in most foods so this is a false, misleading and confusing statement! There is a difference between naturally occurring sugars (in fruit, veg, grains and dairy) and free sugars (those that are added and in processed foods). * Fruit is more than just sugar. Fruits are packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre. Fruit is seasonal. NB. Sarah does not suggest quitting fruit, but sets up this pyramid to guide intake. * Here’s the breakdown of the “I Quit Sugar” pyramid. * “Eat most” Lemons, Limes, Grapefruit, berries, coconut, rhubarb and passionfruit. And AVOCADOS (considered to belong to the fats/oils group). Hey kids, here’s a lemon to snack on. Or berries - expensive even when in season!! * “Eat Less” Mandarins, plums, peaches, oranges, green apples (note the picture has a red apple here not a green one!!), apricots, nectarines, pears, melons. * “Eat Sparingly” Grapes, cherries, other apples (?!!!), mangoes, BANANAS, Pineapple, watermelon, dried fruit etc * The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend 2 serves of fruit a day. The most recent Australian Health Survey (2014-15) (ABS) shows that just under 50% of Australians adults eat the recommended serves of fruit per day and 68% of 2-18yr olds meeting the guidelines. * Sarah has brought attention to the overconsumption of sugar in our diets, but what are her qualifications to use her well followed social media to publish a “fruit pyramid” ? * With over 30% of the Australian diet made up of discretionary foods, this pyramid and message seems to be missing the point!!! Is it better to eat a banana (with potassium, vitamin B6, fibre and other micronutrients) or a bag of chips/chocolate bar? What about the good old apple or pear? Portable snack with fibre and vitamins? * Free sugars are those added (not naturally occurring in fruit, veg, grains etc). * “The majority (81%) of free sugars were consumed from the energy-dense, nutrient-poor ‘discretionary’ foods and beverages. Just over half (52%) of free sugars in the diet were consumed from beverages, with the leading beverages being soft drinks, electrolyte and energy drinks (19%), fruit and vegetable juices and drinks (13%) and cordial (4.9%). The leading foods were confectionary and cakes/muffins (each contributing 8.7%).” ABS * The best way to avoid sugar is limiting soft drinks, fruit juices, processed foods, and discretionary foods. * It is recommended to consume less than 6 teaspoons of “free” or added sugars per day, yet the average Australian consumption is 27 teaspoons!! * Cutting down sugar is a brilliant health initiative, but this pyramid seems misguided, elitist, uninformed, expensive, unachievable to the average Australian. Not to mention creating fear around healthy foods. And this is the problem with celebrities telling people how to eat.