During World War I, sugar rationing was implemented in 1917 as governments sought to allocate resources for the war effort. This rationing altered civilian diets globally, as sugar became a scarce commodity. The measures reflected the broader impact of the war on everyday life, influencing food availability and consumption patterns. Sugar rationing also prompted changes in culinary practices and consumer behavior, highlighting the war's far-reaching effects on society.

Sugar rationing during World War I in 1917 evoked themes of scarcity and resilience in soldier poetry and homefront verses. Poets captured the emotional toll of war, using the metaphor of rationing to reflect on loss, sacrifice, and the enduring human spirit. This period also highlighted the ways in which everyday life was disrupted by global conflict.