Much Ado About Sugar

It’s January and my gym is focusing on nutrition, a weird space to be in as a dietitian. Nutrition is an important contribution to activity and recovery yet, the hyper focus and the way it’s presented highlights diet culture, misinformation, and misinterpretation.

This morning in class, my coach asked everyone what they ate for breakfast. I love this type of conversation because it gives everyone ideas, models the need for nutrition, and opens up good discussion points. I ate raisin bran crunch cereal, milk, and a banana for breakfast. Immediately, a member commented stating it has double the sugar of it’s original counterpart. I challenged the statement and then left it alone. I’m the dietitian after all.

While leaving, another nutrition conversation started about Body Armor. Someone reading the nutrition label said yikes 26 grams of sugar, is that healthy for you? My response was “I don’t care that much about sugar.” I know that statement is shocking and the added sugar in an item is rarely the glaring problem. It can be an issue for some, I just have to focus on other changes with my patients.

I checked the label and ingredients. This Body Armor has 700 milligrams of Potassium, 30 milligrams of sodium, 26 grams of carbohydrates and 26 grams of added sugar. The ingredients listed are filtered water, cane sugar, coconut water concentrate, followed by a variety of vitamins and minerals.

I’ve come to the same conclusion I always do when it comes to nutrition conversations. First, too many people let opinions and judgement run out of their mouths which confuses the facts. Second, people choose products due to taste and marketing and they still aren’t the best product for them.

I recommend electrolytes for hydration and rehydration everyday and choose products that have a two to one ratio of sodium to potassium. To rehydrate well, this product does not have enough sodium. The cane sugar is added for flavor and also assists with a quicker rehydration process. Cane sugar also provides a simple form of carbohydrates which fuels an athlete, especially a fasted one.

The interesting thing is my opinion and assessment of a product will completely change based off of someones individual needs. I would not recommend this for someone who is sedentary, does not have a high sweat loss, has an acute or chronic kidney issue, and also consumes high concentrated drinks, candies, and packaged goods all day.

At the end of the day, nutrition facts don’t provide you with the whole story. Read ingredients If you truly want to understand what you are consuming. Research the science behind the product you are consuming. Pay attention to what you consume in an entire day. A good overhaul in your nutrition is a big bang for your buck but only if you are getting the right nutrition information.