Sugar melbourne conference event seminar quit give up-min

Melbourne Sugar

On Saturday I went across to Melbourne for a series of lectures on Sugar, Paleo and related topics given by a fantastic line-up of presenters.

Dr Rod Tayler organised the event and gave the first lecture, which was quite an eye opener into how much sugar the average Australian actually eats.  It’s quite frightening to think how much sugar most people mindlessly consume – something we have no real requirement for.

Sugar melbourne conference event seminar quit give up-min

 

Dr Ken Sikaris gave a fantastic talk about fructose metabolism, which I wish had been recorded.  He was a fantastic speaker and I learnt so much from his talk.  I really think he should speak at the Ancestral Health Symposium on Fructose this year!  I knew that fruit isn’t the wonder food that conventional wisdom would have you believe, but Dr Sikaris explain exactly why – and exactly what happens to the fructose.  I really hope the Paleo community get to hear more from Dr Sikaris.

Dr Anastasia Boulais was up next and gave a great talk about making the right food choices with a framework to guide this process.  This was a great talk, as I think a lot of people think it’s too hard to eat a Paleo diet – and that it’s an all or nothing approach – which just isn’t the case.

I really enjoyed Jamie Scott ‘s lecture about what Paleo is – and isn’t.  It was great that he also spoke about the lifestyle factors – not just what we eat, as the whole lifestyle is important, not just nutrition in isolation.

David Gillespie was next.  I read David’s book “Sweet Poison” when it first came out and found it so well written, that it became one of those books I regularly lend to interested friends and families.  It was really good to meet the man himself and to hear his talk.  David spoke about his background as a lawyer, and how he came to give up sugar – his talk linked in very well to those before and built up a compelling case.  I’m looking forward to getting started on his new book “Big Fat Lies”.

David-Gillespie melbourne sugar-min

Meeting David Gillespie

After the break, another familiar face took to the stage.  I’d met Dr Ted Arnold in LA at the Ancestral Health Symposium last year (there were a few of us from this part of the World at the AHS!).  He spoke about where we’ve come from and looked at the ever changing (but not in the right direction) nutritional advice and food pyramids.

We then heard a completely different angle from Alice Hucker, who spoke about the psychological barriers to healthy eating.  I think this is such an important topic, yet one that doesn’t get discussed very often.  I’d have like to have heard more on this topic.

Finally we heard from Dr Michael Axtens and his positive experience with changing his diet

I was so impressed to see so many people at the lecture – I bet just a couple of years ago filling the room would not have been possible.  There was a great mix of people, from those already following some sort of Paleo/ ancestral/ low-carb/ no-sugar eating plan, to those very interested in making positive changes to their diet and health.

A significant number of those in the audience were doctors, medical professionals and dieticians.  I spoke to one dietician who had been told about the event by a client and was very interested in learning as much as she could.  It’s so encouraging to see more and more of these people showing an interest in a Paleo approach.

It was so pleasing to appreciate the huge wealth of knowledge and expertise we have in Australia and New Zealand – I think we can definitely give the American Paleo folk a run for their money!  I can’t wait for more home-grown Paleo events!

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11 replies
  1. Emma
    Emma says:

    Oooh I wish I’d heard about this, I’m in Melbourne and would have loved to have gone to something like that! It sounds fantastic and it’s great that there were lots of doctors and dieticians in the audience, maybe they’ll help spread the word that the current nutritional advice we’re being given isn’t as sound as everyone thinks.

    Reply
    • Suz
      Suz says:

      Let’s hope so Emma! I think we can expect to have a lot more events in Australia in the next future – great news!

      Reply
  2. Tash
    Tash says:

    Hi Suz, I signed up for your newsletter and got your australian guide to paleo book – thank you! Problem is I can’t find where I saved it ANYWHERE! I’ve tried resigning up but it just says I am already regsitered. Is there any chance you could send it to me again??

    Reply
  3. Elissa
    Elissa says:

    Fantastic I love David Gillespies books, Big Fat Lies is brilliant what did you think of it Suz?
    I have lent it to a few people who have sat back in shock and is ready to listen, I am glad its making an impact and getting the message out there!

    Reply
    • Suz
      Suz says:

      I’ve not finished it yet Elissa, I have a huge pile of Paleo related books to get through! I really enjoyed his first book and found it a great introduction to friends completely new to the whole concept.

      Reply
  4. Alice
    Alice says:

    Too bad I missed this event. Did any of the speakers mention a healthy alternative to sugar like Natvia? I’m currently using this product now — it’s made from all natural ingredients unlike other sweeteners out there and I’m wondering if they recommend fructose free sweeteners like this one.

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • Suz
      Suz says:

      Hi Alice, no, it wasn’t mentioned specifically.

      Nativa is a granualated Stevia and it is still processed to go from the South American herb to the powdered form. Whilst it isn’t “as bad” as refined sugar – I think this is very different from it being “healthy”. For people who crave sweet things, I think it’s best to completely avoid these things. There is also some evidence to suggest that the taste and smell of sweet things can create an insulin respone. If I was going to have any form of sweetener, I would go for local honey.

      Reply

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