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Sarah Wilson, the founder of I Quit Sugar, gives a harsh farewell to Australia while discussing why she never returned to TV after hosting MasterChef for one season and shares about her happy life in Paris.

Bintano
8 Min Read

I Quit Sugar founder Sarah Wilson has left Australia for a new life in Paris. 

The entrepreneur, who made millions documenting her sugar-free lifestyle, has now revealed she didn’t feel supported in Australia and was never able to land another television gig after hosting one season of MasterChef Australia in 2009.

‘I think that we haven’t created the space yet for discussions that push boundaries,’ the journalist and broadcaster, 49, told Stellar Magazine.

She said Australian TV lacks a ‘space for women to be able to talk big political ideas that might create a bit of a stir’, before adding pointedly:  I’ll be honest, a bit of the reason why I’m here and not in Australia is because I don’t feel held in Australia.’ 

She continued: ‘I did feel ostracised to a certain extent and rather than stay and complain and be upset, I left so that I can still love my country and still feel that I can come back.

I Quit Sugar founder Sarah Wilson (pictured) has left Australia for a new life in Paris

I Quit Sugar founder Sarah Wilson (pictured) has left Australia for a new life in Paris

‘I hope one day I can come back to a country where women like me can be on mainstream television talking big topics.’

Wilson now lives in Paris, where she says she has a ‘simple life’ without many of the luxuries she enjoyed at the height of her career.

‘I don’t have a lavish lifestyle. I live in a tiny apartment here in Paris, which is way cheaper than Australia. I cook most of my food,’ she revealed. 

‘I own between three and five pairs of underpants at any given time. A couple of pairs of shoes. I wear clothes from when I was 18. I keep everything, hand wash everything. It’s a super simple life.’

The entrepreneur, who made millions documenting her sugar-free lifestyle, has now revealed how she didn't feel supported in Australia and was never able to land another television gig after briefly hosting season one of MasterChef Australia back in 2009 (pictured)

The entrepreneur, who made millions documenting her sugar-free lifestyle, has now revealed how she didn’t feel supported in Australia and was never able to land another television gig after briefly hosting season one of MasterChef Australia back in 2009 (pictured)

Wilson is known for her best-selling 2012 book I Quit Sugar and has since published more than 30 others. 

Back in February 2018, she made headlines when she announced she was selling her I Quit Sugar empire.

The health guru, who became popular for her cookbooks filled with sugar-free recipes, gave the funds from her tidy profit to charity.

Wilson sold her treasure trove of recipes to Sam Wood’s 28 program, owned by former Bachelor star Sam Wood, for an undisclosed amount.

After closing the business, Sarah travelled the world, embarking on a journey of self-reflection with a hiking trip.

'I don't think there's much of a space for women to be able to talk big political ideas that might create a bit of a stir. I'll be honest, a bit of the reason why I'm here and not in Australia is because I don't feel held in Australia' she says. (Pictured on MasterChef Australia in 2009)

‘I don’t think there’s much of a space for women to be able to talk big political ideas that might create a bit of a stir. I’ll be honest, a bit of the reason why I’m here and not in Australia is because I don’t feel held in Australia’ she says. (Pictured on MasterChef Australia in 2009)

She revealed her discoveries in her book, This One Wild And Precious Life, which was published in 2020. 

Sarah told Body+Soul of her travels: ‘I explored everywhere, from Slovenia to Greece to Jordan to the Australian desert. I’d go on wild adventures to work out the theories, practices and life hacks to help us change the world now.’

The avid traveller, who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, went on to reveal the mental health benefits of being out in nature.

‘I will get really discombobulated,’ she said of staying in the urban environment. 

‘I’ll also feel quite stuck in myself. We’re a culture that doesn’t go to our edge and I find it suffocating.

Wilson now lives in Paris, where she says she has a 'simple life' without many of the luxuries she enjoyed at the height of her career. 'I don't have a lavish lifestyle. I live in a tiny apartment here in Paris, which is way cheaper than Australia' she says

Wilson now lives in Paris, where she says she has a ‘simple life’ without many of the luxuries she enjoyed at the height of her career. ‘I don’t have a lavish lifestyle. I live in a tiny apartment here in Paris, which is way cheaper than Australia’ she says

‘When you go out into nature, you take risks. You have to jump over logs and navigate around rocks, so all of your senses are heightened – and that brings me to life.’

Despite making her name quitting the stuff, Wilson now says that she eats eats sugar daily.

‘I personally eat sugar every single day,’ Wilson said on the podcast Can’t Live Without You.

‘I eat and don’t count it out, I don’t weigh it, but I intuitively know how much my body can handle and what’s the appropriate amount.’ 

Wilson is known for her best-selling 2012 book I Quit Sugar (pictured) and has since published over 30 others. Back in February 2018, she made headlines when she announced she was selling her I Quit Sugar empire

Wilson is known for her best-selling 2012 book I Quit Sugar (pictured) and has since published over 30 others. Back in February 2018, she made headlines when she announced she was selling her I Quit Sugar empire

For Wilson, the right amount of sugar amounts to ‘a glass or two of red wine’ every evening, a couple of pieces of fruit and chocolate – between 75 and 80 per cent strength – each day.

She said that she eats within the World Health Organisation guidelines of between six and nine teaspoons of sugar a day.

‘Whenever I eat more, I always realise that’s why I feel like cr*p,’ Wilson said

Prior to writing I Quit Sugar, she said she discovered she was having as many as 30 teaspoons of sugar every day. 

After closing the business, Sarah travelled the world, embarking on a journey of self-reflection with a hiking trip. She revealed her discoveries in her book, This One Wild And Precious Life

After closing the business, Sarah travelled the world, embarking on a journey of self-reflection with a hiking trip. She revealed her discoveries in her book, This One Wild And Precious Life

‘There’s a lot of misinformation out there – a lot of people think I still don’t eat any sugar or drink any alcohol,’ Wilson said on the podcast.

However, now she said that she knows what her body can manage with regard to sugar, she has re-introduced a little bit into her diet.

Wilson has also reaped the huge benefits of ditching excessive amounts of excess sugar, including more energy, brighter skin and better overall health.

She is currently writing a new book, which she tells Stellar is, ‘about the collapse of a lot of stuff going on’ and touches on politics and the environment.  

She is currently writing a new book, which she tells Stellar is, 'about the collapse of a lot of stuff going on' and touches on politics and the environment

She is currently writing a new book, which she tells Stellar is, ‘about the collapse of a lot of stuff going on’ and touches on politics and the environment

READ MORE: Author and journalist Sarah Wilson reveals how the ‘kindness of strangers has saved her several times’ during a candid discussion about suicide

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