Quitting Sugar - any success stories out there
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discovery1 wrote: »Get rid of wheat in all forms. All types turn to sugar quickly and is addictive. I'd also say up your calories by 100-150. Your body might be in starvation mode.
Nope.0 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »I eat a lot of Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, both Greek and standard. That's the one brand I've found with no or very little added sugar.
Any plain yogurt is going to have no added sugar. There are tons of brands. I like Fage, but have some Wallaby at home I'm trying now. There are seriously lots of options, though.
Some "plain" yogurts include starches from corn or tapioca, or include agar -- all as thickeners -- among their ingredients.
It's always worth looking at the ingredient panel rather than the front label. Plain yogurt Greek or otherwise should only have two ingredients: milk, and bacteria cultures.
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Yes, I always read the labels of anything I buy with one. For example, the Fage: Grade A Pasteurized Milk and Cream, Live Active Yogurt Cultures (L. Bulgaricus, S. Thermophilus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Casei). The Wallaby I mentioned earlier: Organic Cultured Pasteurized Nonfat Milk. Live Active Cultures L. acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, S. thermophilus, bifidus, L. paracasei.
There are plenty of such options.
Also the poster in question seemed particularly interested in "added sugar," as I think the Dannons typically have artificial sweeteners and various other ingredients besides the dairy.0 -
NorthWoodsMomma wrote: »
Too bad both eggs and yogurt contain sugar...
I don't think eggs ever sabotaged anyone aiming to quit sugar......
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My energy level is returning - I have been adding more calories, just not anything from added sugar and that's helping. I'm like you - if I have a little added sugar, it leads to cravings for more. Best thing for me is to just avoid it.MoiAussi93 wrote: »I quit eating added sugar and, while I did not notice any change in energy level (I was eating enough calories that my body still had plenty of fuel), I did have MAJOR intense cravings for about two weeks. However, after that it got much easier. What I did notice regarding energy level, is that it was much more steady...I no longer had the energy slumps I used to.
I gave it up because having a little sugar always, without fail, set off cravings for more.
If you are noticing a decline in energy, maybe you could try just eating a little more of something high in protein or fat. It could be you just aren't eating enough. Otherwise, wait it out. If you are eating enough calories, then this is a temporary thing until your body adapts.
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NorthWoodsMomma wrote: »
My energy level is returning - I have been adding more calories, just not anything from added sugar and that's helping. I'm like you - if I have a little added sugar, it leads to cravings for more. Best thing for me is to just avoid it.MoiAussi93 wrote: »I quit eating added sugar and, while I did not notice any change in energy level (I was eating enough calories that my body still had plenty of fuel), I did have MAJOR intense cravings for about two weeks. However, after that it got much easier. What I did notice regarding energy level, is that it was much more steady...I no longer had the energy slumps I used to.
I gave it up because having a little sugar always, without fail, set off cravings for more.
If you are noticing a decline in energy, maybe you could try just eating a little more of something high in protein or fat. It could be you just aren't eating enough. Otherwise, wait it out. If you are eating enough calories, then this is a temporary thing until your body adapts.
Glad you're adding calories. Eat as many as you can while still losing weight. And congrats on feeling well too!0 -
The package of eggs I have in the fridge has no sugar, and the sugar in Greek yogurt (plain, no fruit or sweeteners) is lactose.Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
Let the trolling begin.NorthWoodsMomma wrote: »
Too bad both eggs and yogurt contain sugar...
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NorthWoodsMomma wrote: »
The package of eggs I have in the fridge has no sugar, and the sugar in Greek yogurt (plain, no fruit or sweeteners) is lactose.Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
Let the trolling begin.NorthWoodsMomma wrote: »
Too bad both eggs and yogurt contain sugar...
Two eggs will have like 1 gram of sugar, in a context of lots of protein and fat.0 -
This post makes the most sense to me! My dad just recently developed diabetes (he's 72) and I have also suffered from depression in the past. I truly believe it was due to my diet, too much sugar and bad carbs. Once I get started on the sweets, I keep going, so for me it's best to just cut out the added sugars entirely and also the "whites" (bread, potatoes, crackers, etc.).I can relate, OP. I think of myself as a sugar addict. I mean it truly, in the sense that I am one of these people who can't have a high carb diet because I will eat and eat and eat...candy and carby snacks all day...my dad developed diabetes late in life and I am basically headed that way if I don't change my eating habits. I am about 25lb overweight now having lost about 10lb in the last month through a high fat, moderate protein and low sugar diet. I'm 36. You have to remember that white bread and potatoes and candy are all sugar in our digestive system.
I'd suggest that you look into a blood sugar-stabilizing diet, like some form of a vegetarian high fat diet...I am not vegetarian so it's easy for me to follow a high fat/medium protein diet...forget about calorie counting for now...that won't work.
From my experience, energy levels are all about stabilizing blood sugar and keeping the insulin levels low. I am not diabetic (yet!), but it has made total sense to me. I also think that if you happen to have had depression in the past (I have), you just HAVE to cut out sugar...I haven't felt this good in years. Sugar is all about mood swings.
I have a maximum of 50 g of carbs (aka "sugars") a day and that is the equivalent of three slices of whole wheat fiber bread. I tend to "spend" my carbs on greek yogurt in the morning (with chia seeds and almonds) and a slice of bread here and there. The rest is veggies and residual carbs from cheeses (which are now a big part of my diet). I also have coconut milk and chia pudding with stevia in the fridge at all times (and excellent "sweet" and high fat snack).
Good luck!
You absolutely do not "have" to cut out sugar. Nope.
And how will calorie counting not work? And why are you suggesting the OP adopt a vegetarian diet??
The OP said she is vegetarian.She does not eat meat.
Well I am speaking from experience here as a sugar addict. I am not the type of person who can lose weight only cutting calories. I have lost a lot more weight by counting carbs instead of counting calories. I can't have sugar "in moderation" meaning it can't be part of my diet. I go up and now with the sugar moods if I make it part of my diet. I can have it once in a while at a party or some other exceptional occasion. But I have found that I am better off cutting it off completely if I can to follow the "keto"/atkins-style model. I have done the calorie diets and also weight watchers...it just doesn't work as well for me. The weight loss if I have a "normal" carb diet is very slow and I end up just eating a few more chips or popcorn bags than I intended. PS: I do 50 mins of hardcore spinning 6 days a week.
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Glad to hear you've added more calories--that was going to be my suggestion for the energy problem. I also wouldn't worry about naturally occurring sugars (like what's in plan Greek yogurt); just focus on getting rid of the added sugars and artificial sweeteners (if you use them). It does get easier, I swear!
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I'm not sure you can go 'cold turkey' on taking sugar out of your diet. I cut my sugar in my coffee from one heaping TBS of sugar down to 1Tsp of sugar; but, I had to do it slowly. Most everything has some sugar in it; I count calories and not what is in a food. My granddaughter counts her sugars, carbs, sodium, etc., and I think that would be harder and maybe it would cause you to gain weight or be tired and figuring how to get them in during a day. She's put on the 'Freshman 15+" and I think it is because of how she counts things she eats. I enjoy something sweet most days and I get a Klondike Bar with 100 calories in it and it is 9 grams of sugar. A friend says that the ice cream sandwiches with 100 calories a day are good. She asked if I had ever made mine before using Graham crackers and low fat cool whip and freezing them. I don't know how much the homemade sandwiches would have calories and sugars in it; but, I am going to look it up today.0
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NorthWoodsMomma wrote: »I am drastically reducing the sugar I eat and noticed much less energy this week for exercise. I would say I'm more tired than normal. Drinking about 60 ounces of water a day and my calorie limit is 1270. Barely made a two mile walk this evening and would like to hear from others who have quit sugar. When does the energy level return? Maybe I'm just tired from fighting the urge to dive into the ice cream lol!!
I quit sugar and refined carbohydrates 2 years ago. The first two weeks were the worst! I didn't exercise as the advice I'd read recommended that you give your body a few weeks to get used to using fat as it's energy source. Make sure you are replacing the sugar and carbs with fat. After a month I was back at the gym with improved energy levels. Keep going!!! If you are like me this will be the most liberating food decision that you have ever made. I have not had an emotional food binge in two years, food no longer controls me! Good luck!0
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