Health Alert: Nigerians warned against addiction to consuming refined sugar, sweetened foods

*Alero Roberts, public health expert, Associate Professor and honorary consultant to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, clarifies though not all sweet foods are unhealthy, urges Nigerians to consume ‘natural foods’, including oranges and honey generously

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Alero Roberts, a public health physician, Associate Professor and honorary consultant to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), in Lagos State, has cautioned consumers against refined sugar.

Roberts, who stated this while featuring on a Channels TV programme monitored in Lagos, urged Nigerians to stop consuming refined sugar, stating that it is more addictive than cocaine.

The Associate Professor though clarified that not all sweet foods are unhealthy, she opined that natural foods, such as oranges and honey should be consumed generously.

Alero Roberts, a public health physician, Associate Professor and honorary consultant to LUTH        Photo: Concordia

She also warned parents and guardians, especially mothers, to stop adding refined sugar to their children’s meals.

Doing this could result in obesity, said Prof. Roberts.

The expert further explained: “Not all sweet things are bad for the body, which was why I emphasised that the locally available fruits like the oranges, honey are fantastic.

“But adding refined sugar to everything a child eats is not helpful, because we are seeing children with obesity.”

She said: “In fact, many schools have told parents that a child must come to school with nothing but water.

“Many have even stopped children from bringing processed packaged foods to school.”

‘Refined sugar actually more addictive than cocaine’

Roberts further noted: “What many people don’t understand is that refined sugar is actually more addictive than cocaine.

“You just try stopping eating refined sugar, and in three days, your body will tell you that something has gone wrong.

“You will be shaking and lose your temper. But if you stay focused, you will see that you will be fine afterwards.”

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According to the expert, healthy living should start from conception till old age.

Explaining further, Prof. Roberts stated: “Healthy living can be looked at from two ways. We can look at it from head to toe or from cradle to grave.

“So, it really should start from conception to elderly care.”

She noted: “It should start from good nutrition, and part of the thing is an intentional inclusion of locally available fruits and vegetables in our meals daily.

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“Avoiding processed foods, quick-fix noodles, and fast foods prepared without looking at the hygiene and safety of food preparation.

“You should know where the meals were prepared, and which water was used in preparing them.”

Besides eating natural, healthy foods, Roberts highlighted the benefits of good sleep, shutting off screens, napping, exercise, and others.

The health professional said: “It is good to get into at least three hours of exercise per week, about 30 minutes daily.

“But even walking is better. If you do a sedentary job, you have to get up from your desk every hour.

“You should also add weights if you want to be healthy.”

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