MasterChef fans have taken aim at the BBC for spreading "misinformation" after a Bristol dad broke down in tears on the show. In scenes that aired on Monday, May 8, painter and decorator John entered the kitchen alongside eight other home cooks as they whipped up dishes that they hoped would impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.
John, who lives in Bristol with his partner and four children, spent his time in the kitchen during Monday evening's episode knocking together a chocolate tart with "drunken" raspberries. Whilst the chocolate tart looked impressive, it lacked the most common ingredient in any dessert - sugar.
The 40-year-old West Country hopeful revealed that he was focusing his efforts on "low carb, refined sugar free cooking" for a reason very close to his heart. His daughter, Leeya, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, meaning he had to "entirely rethink my cooking".
John explained: "I am now championing low carb, refined sugar free cooking for her (aged nine) and also for my three other daughters (step daughters who are 10 & 13, and daughter aged seven) but ensuring it is still playful, creative, and ultimately, delicious."
The chocolate tart contained a base that was made from a blend of chopped almonds and hazelnuts, egg yolk, and sweetener. John served it with a vanilla cream, toasted hazelnuts, raspberry coulis, brandy-soaked raspberries and salted caramel.
Whilst the two judges were very impressed by John's dessert, with Torode hailing his innovative nutty base as a "revelation", viewers were left angered by the reasoning behind the Bristol dad's creation. On social media, many complained that the BBC was spreading "misinformation", as people with diabetes can eat sugar, according to Diabetes UK.
Mr Goodyear wrote on Twitter: "Really poor representation of type 1 diabetes on #MasterChef this week. This kind of misinformation is so damaging and outdated — I can eat sugar!!!!
"It’s not 1970!!!! The amount of times I have had to defend myself when eating a slice of cake in front of other people…"
"If you're watching #MasterChef, then please know that Type 1 Diabetics can eat chocolate, sugar, cake, anything - allergies and intolerances aside," said Diabetic Dad. "Those who don't eat those things follow their own diet choices."
Sarah Coyle said: "T1D's across the land screaming at BBC Masterchef right now!! #MasterChef #bbc #diabetes #misinformation."
According to Diabetes UK's website, those with diabetes "don't need to cut out sugar from [their] diet". Whilst they "don't know exactly what causes type 1 diabetes, it isn't linked to lifestyle, and so sugar doesn't directly cause the condition".
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