People may not be aware that it's not just sugar that can lead to issues such as diabetes09:59, 12 Jul 2026An expert on Channel 4's documentary, Live Well with the Drug-Free Doctor, has said that people struggling with snacking habits should know they are "not alone", sharing a simple strategy that could help tackle the issue.‌Encouraging people to take control of the issue, presenter Dr. Rangan Chatterjee reassured those experiencing it that they are not alone. He shared how one patient's persistent snacking habits contributed to weight gain, despite their sincere efforts to manage the behaviour.‌Speaking about the patient, called Chris, he explained: "I don't think Chris' food addiction was his fault. And if you struggle to regulate your eating, I don't think it is your fault either."‌He shared: "The amount of low-quality, high-calorie food that you are being tempted with every time you step out your front door is staggering. But there is something we can start to do today to fight back."He recommended: "Only eat foods your grandmother would recognise. This basically means minimally processed foods, as close to their natural form as possible."‌According to the professional, this "keeps your blood sugar stable and prevents the overeating driven by ultra-processed foods, which are linked to an estimated 14 per cent of early deaths in the UK."He added: "When you buy something, flip it around. Look at the ingredient label, and if you don't recognise something on it, it's probably best not to eat it."He went on: "It is no accident. These food companies are powerful and they make a lot of profit from you eating these kinds of foods. In fact, the ultra-processed food industry is worth around $1.9 trillion globally."‌Diabetes isn't just about sugarThroughout the documentary, viewers learned that Chris's type 2 diabetes diagnosis was not the result of eating large amounts of sugary treats. Instead, it was linked to his high carbohydrate intake."When Chris got diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it wasn't because he was having a huge amount of sweets. It was actually because he was eating loads and loads of starchy carbohydrates", the doctor said.Article continues belowThe medic revealed that even a small handful of pasta could have a greater impact on health than many people realise. He said: "This amount of pasta can have the same impact on your blood glucose levels as eating six and a half teaspoons of sugar."Meanwhile, a "sandwich portion of processed white bread contains eight teaspoons of sugar. And a small portion of white rice can have the same impact on your blood glucose levels as consuming 10 teaspoons of sugar."You can watch Live Well with the Drug-Free Doctor on the Channel 4 website here. The information in this article can be found within the first 10 minutes of the documentary.