SUGAR SMART is a campaign first established by Sustain to help local authorities, organisations, workplaces and individuals to reduce the amount of sugar we all consume. Anyone can pledge to become SUGAR SMART, from councils and schools to restaurants, hospitals and independent companies. The campaign is now led by local organisations all over the UK – including Plymouth!
So what’s the big deal about sugar?
The infographics produced by Sustain shown below highlight the extent of what is an ongoing sugar crisis globally.
We want Plymouth to become a Sugar Smart city and create a food environment which encourages healthy choices and reduces the promotion of foods high in free sugars.
“Excess sugar intake is linked to an increased risk of tooth decay, weight gain and type 2 diabetes. In particular, the type of sugars that we eat too much of are called ‘free sugars’. These are mainly sugars which have been added to food and drinks and provide excess calories with limited nutritional value. Some nutritious foods and drinks however, like fruit and milk, contain naturally occurring sugars and it is important not to confuse these with the ‘free’ sugars in our diets.”
Action on Sugar
What has already happened in Plymouth?
- A highly successful first wave of Sugar Smart campaigning ran in Plymouth between 2018 and 2020, with highlights including:
- 6 Sugar Smart Ambassador training sessions delivered by Dr Clare Pettinger of the University of Plymouth
- One of six projects promoted through the Thrive Plymouth Year 5 programme focusing on People Connecting Through Food in 2019
- Over 82 Sugar Smart Ambassadors across Plymouth
- Wicketz community cricket programme with Vicky Reeve celebrated at a national Sugar Smart Celebration event in July 2018
- Promotion of Fizz Free February campaign
What’s happening now and how can we all get involved?
In line with this year’s Sugar Awareness Week 2023 (13th-19th November), Livewell Southwest, in partnership with Food Plymouth, Food is Fun CIC and Plymouth City Council, are re-launching the Sugar Smart campaign, with two free training sessions on Monday 13th November at 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm to train new Sugar Smart Ambassadors for the city.
Training sessions planned going forward will look at the key health effects of excess sugar in our diets and will consider the key messages we can deploy. They will also explore how, where and when we can promote this campaign and what resources are available, with an emphasis on sharing practical ideas relevant to our different situations (at work, with friends, in the community, and more).
By becoming a Sugar Smart Ambassador, you’ll get support from a network of individuals all working together to improve the local food environment. For more information, please email foodplymouth@outlook.com.
If you’re planning to or already are taking action on sugar as an individual, workplace, business, healthcare or education setting, we want to know! Please tell us about it using the Food Plymouth Best Food Forward pledge tool here. You can also let us know more about the outcomes and impact of your Sugar Smart work using this online form.