Concern over cake consumption

With the UK voting to exit the European Union (EU) and England having been knocked out of the Euros, it’s a mixed atmosphere in the office this week.

I thought I’d get some sweet treats for everyone when I was stopped in my tracks. According to Professor Nigel Hunt, workplace ‘cake culture’ is fueling the current obesity epidemic and contributing to poor dental health.

Speaking at an annual dinner of dentists in London, Hunt, who is Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons, said that for many people, the workplace is now the main place they will eat sugar. And he is concerned that excessive consumption of sugary treats such as cakes, sweets and biscuits is contributing to tooth decay in adults.

“It is particularly dangerous that this is lying around the office all day for as we know, sugar has a particularly negative effect if it’s eaten outside of meal time,” he said.

Dentists recommend cutting down on sugary and starchy food and drinks, particularly between meals, as the bacteria in plaque feed on these carbohydrates and produce acid which causes tooth decay.

Hunt added, “Cake culture also poses difficulties for those who are trying their hardest to lose weight or become healthier – how many of us have begun such diets only to cave into the temptation of the doughnuts, cookies or the triple chocolate biscuits?”

He believes people need to be more careful about how much and what they choose to buy.

“I’m not saying we need to ban such treats. But we do need a change in culture. When people are going out to the shops and buying cake and sweets they should at least consider buying smaller quantities and making them available only with lunch meals.

“Ideally office workers should consider other alternatives altogether like fruit platters, nuts, or cheese. Responsible employers should take a lead and avoid such snacks in meetings.”

So that’s no cake for me between meals.

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