The Times Australia
Health

.

Eradicate Sugar To Aid Good Mental Health

  • Written by Susan Evans


It’s R U OK Day tomorrow, Thursday 10 September, the national day of action for people to check in with their peers, family and friends to see if they’re ok. 

Twenty per cent of Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental illness in any year, and almost half (45) Australians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime – however, excessive sugar consumption and its impact on mental health is often overlooked.

Multiple studies show sugar can lead to depression and other mental health issues, and given the growing body of scientific evidence, Keira Rumble, certified nutrition expert and owner of Krumbled Foods, is calling upon the Food Standards Australia New Zealand for more transparency when it comes to sugars in food packaging and labelling.

Keira, who is passionate about the danger of hidden sugars after becoming addicted to it in her early 20s, says, “The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends we should limit our added sugar intake to just six teaspoons per day, but the average Australian consumes between 14-16 teaspoons of added sugars a day.

“Overconsumption of sugar triggers imbalances in certain brain chemicals, which can lead to depression, anxiety, feeling lethargic, addiction, weight gain, heart issues, headaches and energy fluctuations.

“It can even increase the long-term risk of developing a mental health disorder and schizophrenia in some people. 

“Unfortunately, many sugars are hidden, and food packaging and labelling is misleading. It’s time to change the packaging and labelling so that everyone knows exactly what they are eating.”

When an injury cut short Keira’s professional skiing career she put on weight, became insulin resistant, was on her way to becoming diabetic and struggling with her mental health. She realised that the healthy snack bars and protein bars she was turning to after her diagnosis were, in fact, loaded with hidden sugars.

In the end, she decided to make her own, resulting in Beauty Bites – Australia’s first fully functional collagen bars, low in sugar, designed to support skin, nail, hair and gut health from the inside out.

“Sugar spikes your insulin, but it's that crash that you really don't want as it can lead to energy fluctuations, poor mood, weight gain, heart issues and headaches,” she says.

“Sugar can also impair the body's metabolic function, breaking down collagen and elastin in the skin, which can lead to inflammation breakouts and acne, but most people don’t realise how much sugar they’re consuming.

“If a product label says 25 per cent less sugar, it doesn't actually mean there is a small amount of sugar in it – it just means that it's less sugar than another product or what the product previously contained.

“Food labelled ‘all natural’, is also often high in sugar. Beauty Bites only have 2.8 grams of sugar per serve, but

some snacks and bars can have up to 36 per cent, or 18g of sugar. That’s equivalent to nearly four teaspoons sugar – and there are 39 grams in a can of Coca Cola!

“It’s time food labelling and packaging was more transparent.”

Keira’s Five Hacks To Be Aware Of When Buying ‘Healthy’ Snacks:

1) Be cautious of your sugar content!  

2) Look out for hidden/natural sugars like dates, coconut sugar etc.

3) If you are buying a protein bar or snack bar, look at the back of the label in the nutritional panel. You want more protein than sugar. 

4) Look out for claims like ‘25% less sugar’* – this doesn’t necessarily mean that there is less sugar in it and it is reformulated.

5) Look at the amounts per serve! There are some “healthier” chocolate blocks out there, but you can easily eat the entire block in one sitting, when in fact, the recommended amount may be 1-2 squares. 

6) The most important thing is to not stress and don’t be overwhelmed. If you are trying to make a conscious decision to reduce your sugar intake, take a little bit longer reading what exactly is in the product and keep an eye on the sugar content before you buy it!

About Keira

Certified nutrition expert Keira, 29, recently launched Beauty Bites, Australia's first and only collagen bars to combine 5 illuminating and age-defying ingredients designed to help support glowing skin, healthy hair, stronger nails and gut health. Unlike many other protein bars, which can contain as much sugar as two cinnamon donuts, Beauty Bites, loved by the likes of Ricky Lee Coulter and Olympic World Hurdler champion Sally Pearson, are low in sugar and taken in a convenient, single daily dose to help people look and feel beautiful from the inside out. 

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...