You're right that sucrose can indeed be considered a nutrient, but I'm just using the word to refer to essential nutrients i.e. molecular groups that you need to consume in your diet for the proper functioning of human biochemistry and cannot be substituted for anything else. As Nornagest says, these are vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids and essential fatty acids. Sucrose is not any of these so it is not an essential nutrient.
I don't see why 'comparing apples and oranges' invalidates the argument, though. What difference does it make if they refer to different processes?
I also agree that nutrition is extremely contentious and politically charged.
Well, essential nutrients are a bit different thing, but even that doesn't really help. The issue here is that there is an unstated underlying assumption that everyone needs all the essential nutrients and the more the better.
To give an example, iron is an essential nutrient. Without it you get anemia and eventually die. So, should I consume more of this essential nutrient? In my particular case, the answer happens to be no -- I have a bit too much iron in my blood already.
Unsurprisingly, for many essential nutrients you can have too much as well as too li...
If it's worth saying, but not worth its own post (even in Discussion), then it goes here.