The Impact of Sugar on Employee Wellbeing and Productivity
Sugar Overuse at a Glance
Most adults overconsume sugar: 71.4% exceed 10% of daily calories, with 1 in 10 getting a quarter or more (JAMA Internal Medicine).
Health and Workplace Performance
On average, U.S. employers lose $3,918 per worker each year due to productivity losses from poor health (IBI).
Overall, employees with poor diets were 66% more likely to experience loss of productivity (Brigham Young University).
Research shows that healthy employees are more likely to stay engaged and productive at work (CDC, 2022).
“With presenteeism going up nationally – which is related to higher levels of obesity and poorer health – and healthcare costs skyrocketing, employers need to look at ways to curb these costs to avoid major losses at their companies,” says Ray Merrill, BYU health science professor (Brigham Young University).
Sugar’s Effect on Mind and Body
It increases the risk of depression by 21% (based on 40 studies with 1,212,107 participants) (Nutrition, Psychology and Brain Health).
Sugar’s Impact on Physical and Mental Health:
Obesity
Diabetes
Cardiovascular disease and increased mortality
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Dementia
Smaller overall brain volumes (Boston University)
Lighter, less restorative, and more disrupted sleep
Mood swings
Anxiety
Higher levels of fatigue (demystifying ‘sugar rush’)
Less alertness (demystifying ‘sugar rush’)
Poorer memory
Poorer cognitive performance (NIH)
Current Workplace Solutions for Sugar: High Cost, Low Impact
EAPs and Wellness Programs
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) often cover “healthy lifestyle”, but overall the uptake is tiny — only around 5–7% of employees actually use EAPs.
For sugar, the problem is even worse. EAPs and generic wellness apps usually treat diet as a lifestyle choice rather than recognising the addictive pull of sugar.
Employees don’t engage because of stigma, low trust in confidentiality, and because advice often comes from generalists with no real training in food or sugar addiction.
Even though research shows EAPs can return $3–5 for every $1 invested (ResearchGate), the reality is that the impact stays low because employees don’t use them. In practice, this means the majority of staff struggling with sugar cravings, weight gain, or fatigue aren’t helped.
Weight-Loss Programs and Diet Apps
Weight-loss apps or calorie-counting platforms are widely promoted as solutions. But research shows they don’t work well for sugar (Cambridge University). Most apps treat sugar as just another calorie — ignoring the mood swings, anxiety, and addictive patterns it drives.
Clinical and Medical Referrals
Employers sometimes refer staff to dietitians or doctors if problems become severe — for example, after a diabetes diagnosis. But this is a reactive, not a preventive measure. By the time an employee is sitting in front of a doctor, damage is already done. Research shows people eating high-sugar diets had double the risk of dying from heart disease, even if they weren’t overweight (Harvard). Waiting until clinical intervention is needed results in lost productivity, higher costs, and poorer health outcomes.
Why a Different Approach Is Needed
Current workplace solutions don’t match the problem. EAPs are rarely used, wellness programs are too broad and not focused on sugar, apps reduce it to “just calories,” and medical referrals usually come only after serious health issues develop.
Our approach tackles sugar where it actually affects people — in daily cravings, energy crashes, emotional eating, and fatigue. It’s practical, discreet, and relatable, giving employees real strategies they can apply in real life.
A Fresh Approach to Sugar: Real Solutions, Not Just Awareness
Our program is designed to be practical, focused, and effective - here’s what sets us apart:
Targeted on sugar – We go straight to the root issue: sugar cravings, energy crashes, and emotional eating. By tackling sugar first, employees naturally improve their overall diet.
Simple, proven techniques – We apply the 80/20 rule, focusing on the few key changes that deliver the biggest impact, without overwhelming people with complex plans.
Straightforward and Practical – Clear, evidence-based strategies employees can apply in daily life.
Built for lasting change – Instead of quick fixes, we help employees build sustainable habits that last beyond the course.
Discreet and private – Staff can engage confidentially without HR involvement, reducing stigma and making it easy to access support.
Cost-Effective and Mission-Driven – We can offer our program at a fraction of the cost of EAPs or wellness apps. With low overheads and a mission to prevent the profound impact of sugar, our goal is to deliver a high return on investment for employers while building long-term partnerships and reaching as many people as possible.
Our solution is a one-hour recorded course, available on demand. It provides clear, practical strategies with confidential access, plus supporting templates for those who want extra guidance to put the steps into action and start enjoying sugar more mindfully.
A Note from Terran
How the Course is Structured
This isn’t just about quitting sugar — it’s about reshaping how employees relate to it. The goal is for sugar to no longer feel like something they have to give up, but rather for them to feel like they’re gaining freedom and peace. In this course, employees will learn how to:
✔ Create an Exit Plan – A simple, step-by-step process that helps employees break free from sugar without overwhelm or confusion.
✔ Use ACT Tools – Practical Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques to support managing cravings, emotions, and unhelpful thoughts as they arise.
✔ Shift in Mindset – Moving from feeling forced to quit sugar to genuinely wanting to. The focus is on building a life that feels better without it.
✔ Apply Real-Life Strategies – Practical steps that make it easier to break old habits and handle cravings without slipping back into the sugar trap.
✔ Enjoy Freedom, Not Deprivation – Supporting employees in creating a lifestyle they actually enjoy — where food feels positive, not like a constant struggle.
The full course also includes downloadable worksheets, giving employees tools to apply what they learn, stay organised, and make new habits stick over time.
This isn’t about banning everything sweet. It’s about creating steady energy, a calmer mind, and a healthier relationship with food — so sugar no longer calls the shots.
About Renata – Course Creator
This course was created after years of trial and error, testing what really works — and what doesn’t — in the real world. Alongside lived experience, Renata pursued formal training to understand the most effective techniques and how to present them in a way that truly sticks.
She is a Nationally Certified Food Addictions Coach (NCFAC), qualified through The Addictions Academy in Florida, and a Nationally Certified Life Coach (NCLC). This combination of expertise provides both the technical knowledge of food addiction and a holistic understanding of how to build a sustainable lifestyle.
Passionate about helping people reclaim control, Renata identified a gap in workplace programs — most overlook sugar addiction entirely. Her mission is to fill that gap, improve employee wellbeing, and make a lasting difference in people’s lives.
