Have you Quit Sugar?
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I love confirmation bias. It's one of my favorites.0
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I am sure it is possible to lose weight while eating more sugar. But there is strong evidence that limiting free sugars will reduce obesity, and cavities.
Hm. Limiting free sugars because this reduces calorie intake, since the people consuming large amounts of free sugars just don't eat as much overall when they stop eating those high-sugar foods. Cavities? Nope. Sugary foods don't cause more cavities, unless the kiddies (and adults) aren't practicing good oral hygiene. Studies show high acid foods like soda, fruits and wines are much more likely to cause loss of enamel and cavities than sugary foods.0 -
Nah----no cutting out sugar here. My MFP sugar goal is good, and I try to stay within that. If I go over, it's usually fruit, or a once in a while desert. I decided to drink my cappucino and tea without adding sugar. Now, I don't like things that are too sweet. If you can cut out sugar long term, and are happy with that--give it a go. It certainly won't kill you.
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snowflake954 wrote: »Nah----no cutting out sugar here. My MFP sugar goal is good, and I try to stay within that. If I go over, it's usually fruit, or a once in a while desert. I decided to drink my cappucino and tea without adding sugar. Now, I don't like things that are too sweet. If you can cut out sugar long term, and are happy with that--give it a go. It certainly won't kill you.
I too switched from sugar laden coffee and tea to cappucinos and unsweetened tea. I never would have been caught dead drinking them, but they are so delicious now!0 -
This reminds me of one of my favorite episodes of the Simpsons:Lisa: Is it really worth risking your lives for some sugar?
Marge: Dessert's on! I steamed some limes!
Lisa: God speed.0 -
I am sure it is possible to lose weight while eating more sugar. But there is strong evidence that limiting free sugars will reduce obesity, and cavities.
Is anyone arguing against limiting (as in cutting it down if it's excessive?) free sugar (as I also like the term)? I am interpreting this discussion as about eliminating sugar vs. eating it in moderate amounts (and I personally think the WHO recommendation is a decent guide to what "moderate" means, although it's important to understand the whole rationale by WHO and not assume that simply eating a bit more on occasional days is an issue IF your calories and nutrition are in check).
Well, to be honest I don't think the WHO rationale of cavities is a particularly good one. My guess is that other factors make a much bigger difference, like oral hygiene.0 -
I think the original poster was saying that they might quit processed sugars or added sugars....not sugars that are naturally occurring such as in fruits and vegetables. I also am watching my sugars and my carbs because I've seen a huge difference in how I feel as well as my cravings. I still eat tons of veggies, have added in small amounts of fruit and feel amazing.
I don't add sugar to my coffee and I eat very few, if any, processed or packaged foods. It's harder at times because I have to pre-plan but my energy levels, lack of cravings and feelings of being full after I eat (which I didn't have before) make it all worth it.
And I don't miss the ADDED sugars....I'm enjoying the sugars that are naturally occurring in the whole foods that I'm eating.0 -
Hottie_McTottie wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »stevencloser wrote: »Hottie_McTottie wrote: »Nope haven't given it up, I wouldn't be able to enjoy my nightly dessert if I did. I also prefer to base my decisions on my research not based on the agenda they are pushing in a documentary.
My research is based on how I feel when I limit added sugar in my diet and cutting way down on the sweet treats I consume vs. how I feel when I have it. The result? I feel much better without the added sugar and sweet treats.
That's MY research.
The placebo effect is a hell of a drug.
Actually, people who eat really excessive amounts and little in the way of nutritious foods (or unbalanced so that they have blood sugar swings if prone to that) typically do feel better when they start eating a better diet.
I seriously doubt it matters whether they do this by eating a nutritious diet with a moderate amount of sugar (like many here are talking about) or by going to the other extreme and cutting out all added sugar, but people just assume it's cutting out sugar rather than fixing their diet in general and that others who don't eat the way they used to (or perhaps aren't prone to the blood sugar issues) would somehow have the same effect.
It's a little tiresome IMO, but understandable.
Edited to add context, because this thread is moving FAST!
Um, ok.
My diet has always been nutritious. Lots of veggies, meats, some fruits, dairy . . . I have just chosen to limit foods that have added sugars in them. I also don't add sugar to things like tea or coffee. I limit my sweet intake because I find that when I do indulge I feel like rubbish and it throws my stomach off. But hey, that's just what I've experienced and how I feel when I cut down on sweets. What do I know?
ETA: I never said my way was the "one true way". I merely answered the original topic question and then added my .02 on another comment stating how I feel when I cut down on my sugar consumption. But please, do show me where I said my way was the one true way.
You are taking my comment awfully personally. Hmm.
But okay, how much did you limit it? From how many total sugar grams on average to how many? And focusing on added sugar in particular, from how many to how many?
I'm not sure why you are telling me that you don't add sugar to tea and coffee. Most adults I know don't (most people I know drink black coffee, some add dairy, obviously some order those drinks at Starbucks, but they don't seem to be in my circles)--IMO, it tastes far better without added sugar.0 -
Avoid the wrong kind of sugar-the unnatural/processed kind. Sugar through sourced like fruits and vegetables is perfectly okay. And it's not just the sugar that's the problem it's the processed foods that are, processed foods lose nutrition and are usually packed with additives of all sort. Sugar is the least of your problems compared to all the other sh** they put in "food".
Just balance your diet with natural foods from their original sources and you will do yourself a lot of good than just by cutting out sugar.
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lemurcat12 wrote: »Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »I have been LIMITING my added sugars for about 15 years now. I find that the more even I can keep my blood sugars (i.e. no mid morning crash) the easier it is to eat the way I want.
I also very much limit heavily refined carbs (think: white bread) for the same reason. I aim for more whole or intact grains.
I actually do this same thing, although for me it's been helpful to put the focus more on having a balance of macros at each meal -- even a whole grain like steel cut oats doesn't work for me for breakfast unless I include it in a meal with protein and fat (and I usually add veggies too, since I like having veggies at each meal--this was my breakfast today, in fact). For me the overall amounts of carbs and sugars seem less important than balancing them and not eating them on their own usually (when I have a sweet item it's generally close in time to a meal), but I generally do eat whole grains or other forms of starches (even more) rather than lots of heavily refined grains. (White pasta affects me no different than whole wheat, given the importance of the sauce, so although I generally have whole wheat at home I have no problem ordering white in a restaurant for a splurge.)
I basically do this: I try to eat foods that work well together: protein and fats with carbs.
And then I do also limit added sugars. I just don't need that much added sugar in my diet.0 -
I am avoiding added sugar - I'm addicted so it's taken two years to weed it out of my diet and I'm still working on it. My downfall is usually cookies and doughnuts so I don't keep them in my house; if I want it bad enough to go to the store I get a single serving of exactly what I want. Today I was confronted with doughnuts when I walked into my office - I took 1/4 of a doughnut, enjoyed it and I was able to ignore the rest. This is a triumph for me! I try to pretend it doesnt exist - cover my eyes - yes really.0
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »GiveMeCoffee wrote: »Nope haven't given it up, I wouldn't be able to enjoy my nightly dessert if I did. I also prefer to base my decisions on my research not based on the agenda they are pushing in a documentary.
/\/\ This is a fantastic answer... and is exactly what I am doing... do more research we beg you...
Do you think you have done more research than WHO, Harvard School of Public Health, The American Heart Associasion, and other health organizations that recommend limiting added sugars?
Did I say I didn't limit it, I limit everything I eat because when I don't I overeat and would get fat again. But with the research I have done, and cutting back on EVERYTHING so I stay within my daily allotment has been successful for me in dropping over 125 lbs, being taken off 10 different prescriptions I took daily, and in the best shape of my life. So yes I will sit and enjoy my nightly dessert and keep doing what I'm doing.
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I also think it is very difficult, and indeed unnecessary to cut all sugar. I am glad the WHO included natural honey to their "free sugars" list. It's not the naturalness of a product that harms, but perhaps over-consumption of an easy calorie source (sugar) at the expense of nutritious alternatives.
I think we will continue to see confusion of MFP members, conscientiously watching their sugars, and not understanding how they can go over on a few pieces of fruit. I am sure MFP, and the WHO, did not intend for calorie watchers to cut fruit from their diet to meet the deadlines.
There has to be an adjustment to the nutrition labeling in order to meet the WHO guidelines.0 -
I also think it is very difficult, and indeed unnecessary to cut all sugar. I am glad the WHO included natural honey to their "free sugars" list. It's not the naturalness of a product that harms, but perhaps over-consumption of an easy calorie source (sugar) at the expense of nutritious alternatives.
I think we will continue to see confusion of MFP members, conscientiously watching their sugars, and not understanding how they can go over on a few pieces of fruit. I am sure MFP, and the WHO, did not intend for calorie watchers to cut fruit from their diet to meet the deadlines.
There has to be an adjustment to the nutrition labeling in order to meet the WHO guidelines.
Difficult? Try NOT POSSIBLE. Sugar occurs naturally in almost all food. Moderation is the key to being sensible about sugar. Attempted elimination is a good way to lead one's self to a good old fashioned binge. Sensible moderation with attention to a healthy variety of foods will lead to success.0 -
Why did you add "added" into it? And their recommendations are based off crappy data sets, they should not be making recommendations at all.
Are you suggesting that the WHO recommendations are based on bad data sets? Really? “We have solid evidence that keeping intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake reduces the risk of overweight, obesity and tooth decay,”
The WHO is using the term "free sugars" which I defined above. It includes honey.
I'm not suggesting, I'm stating they are using crappy data sets. Self reported intake has been shown repeatedly to be inaccurate0 -
*Looks up from tub of ice cream* What's this about sugar?
No, seriously, unless you have health issues, there's no reason to "quit" sugar. It's not a "bad" food, it's not "the cause" of weight gain, and eating (moderate amounts) of sugar will NOT prevent you from losing weight. Also, as others have said, sugar is in everything, including healthy things like fruit. So, avoiding "sugar" means leaving out things that are good for you also.
Last thing, "quitting sugar"? Do you snort pixie sticks or something?0 -
For the most part I've cut out all added refined sugar and keep my fructose intake pretty low but I still eat some fruit and things sweetened with maple syrup or honey. When I can stick to this I feel MUCH better and the food cravings go away. Added sugar treats are a once in a while indulgence.0
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@acg67 how do you know that's what the WHO is basing their decision on? I mean, such an agency is naturally conservative. What if they are looking at world trends?
http://www.who.int/nutrition/nlis/en/0 -
LOL*Looks up from tub of ice cream* What's this about sugar?
No, seriously, unless you have health issues, there's no reason to "quit" sugar. It's not a "bad" food, it's not "the cause" of weight gain, and eating (moderate amounts) of sugar will NOT prevent you from losing weight. Also, as others have said, sugar is in everything, including healthy things like fruit. So, avoiding "sugar" means leaving out things that are good for you also.
Last thing, "quitting sugar"? Do you snort pixie sticks or something?0 -
God no. Some of my best workouts are powered by jellybeans.0
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Nope. I like a good balance of food and plan to eat this way forever and ever and plan to have some form of sugar daily, like mochas and chocolates, so sugar will be with me forever unless a doctor tells me otherwise. Silly documentaries always use scare tatics just to do eactly that, scare you. Is added sugar good for you? No but neither is eating just carrots and nothing else all day every day. You need to eat a well balanced diet filled with good for you nutrient dense foods and allow yourself yummy treats. And stop watching silly documentaries.0
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No - I don't see the point. Sugar is added to SO MANY THINGS, or appear as just naturally-occuring saccharines, that it's just a torturous process. However - I have reduced seriously my intake of refined sugars!
I think that we get used to (and someone "immune" to) heavy amounts of sugars. Sometimes, after holidays and whatnot, I'll have over-done sugar SO MUCH that I crave it all the time. (The more I eat, the more I want it - it's a vicious cycle). What I'll do then is go on a 7-14 day added sugar-free period. [No honey, sugar in tea/coffee, no ketchup - nothing that blatantly or secretly tastes sweet. Sometimes I'll allow myself a strawberry or a couple raisins...but that's it.] Of course, the first 3-4 days are super hard. After about day 7 or 10 or so, I'll actually STOP craving sugar. For just a week of severe restriction, the next months and months are made SO much easier. It's a tough 7 days, but it's got a really, really high pay-off, for me. Having less of this added stuff will do your body a world of good - and over time, it WILL become less desirable.0 -
mamapeach910 wrote: »Avoid the wrong kind of sugar-the unnatural/processed kind. Sugar through sourced like fruits and vegetables is perfectly okay. And it's not just the sugar that's the problem it's the processed foods that are, processed foods lose nutrition and are usually packed with additives of all sort. Sugar is the least of your problems compared to all the other sh** they put in "food".
Just balance your diet with natural foods from their original sources and you will do yourself a lot of good than just by cutting out sugar.
Especially when that is Pink Floyd
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Why did you add "added" into it? And their recommendations are based off crappy data sets, they should not be making recommendations at all.
Are you suggesting that the WHO recommendations are based on bad data sets? Really? “We have solid evidence that keeping intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake reduces the risk of overweight, obesity and tooth decay,”
The WHO is using the term "free sugars" which I defined above. It includes honey.
I wonder how I lost 121 pounds eating more then the recommendations. LOL, and been maintaining for 6 months now. I must be a miracle or something like that!!
I don't understand. How would you not following a health recommendation while losing weight make your weight loss miraculous?0 -
I don't eat a lot of refined sugar, or added sugars. I rely on fruit sugars mostly for sweetening, but I'm also not against eating it.
With that said, I do and do need to eat sugar on long runs for fuel. I take a few gummi bears.0 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Why did you add "added" into it? And their recommendations are based off crappy data sets, they should not be making recommendations at all.
Are you suggesting that the WHO recommendations are based on bad data sets? Really? “We have solid evidence that keeping intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake reduces the risk of overweight, obesity and tooth decay,”
The WHO is using the term "free sugars" which I defined above. It includes honey.
I wonder how I lost 121 pounds eating more then the recommendations. LOL, and been maintaining for 6 months now. I must be a miracle or something like that!!
I don't understand. How would you not following a health recommendation while losing weight make your weight loss miraculous?
Did you read the what I quoted??0 -
nope, I eat all the sugars and have no issues losing weight.
unless you have a medical condition there is no need to avoid sugar.
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »GiveMeCoffee wrote: »Nope haven't given it up, I wouldn't be able to enjoy my nightly dessert if I did. I also prefer to base my decisions on my research not based on the agenda they are pushing in a documentary.
/\/\ This is a fantastic answer... and is exactly what I am doing... do more research we beg you...
Do you think you have done more research than WHO, Harvard School of Public Health, The American Heart Associasion, and other health organizations that recommend limiting added sugars?
I went to my cardiologist yesterday, I have completely reverse my heart disease to no heart disease and quoted by my doctor that I have a blood pressure of a teenager, eating sugary foods!!!
I really wish they had a like button for individual posts!!!0 -
"There has to be an adjustment to the nutrition labeling in order to meet the WHO guidelines"....Difficult? Try NOT POSSIBLE. Sugar occurs naturally in almost all food. Moderation is the key to being sensible about sugar...
The WHO guideline provides direction on what is considered "free sugars". That certainly can be calculated by manufacturers and separated out from what naturally occurs in a food product.0 -
I think the OP was referring to refined/added sugar which is not required by the body. you can get enough from fruits and other healthy carbs. I have given up refined sugar and I have more energy, fewer cravings and clearer skin. I still eat fruit, starches and grains.
why would fruit sugar be required and added sugar not required by the body??????????
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