Sugar intake limits are impossible!!

jerryallegood

I don't really track,sugar. I don't eat clean enough anyway. As long as calories burned is greater than calories eaten, I am happy. I do try to keep some balance in the macros, carbs, fat, and protein.

dogladytwo

I totally agree, they are totally WRONG on sugar so I just pay attention to carbs. If it were only added sugar, they would be on track, as it is, I ignore.

kms1320

I usually have a hard time eating my sugar goal. I usually end up with half it left unless I eat candy or drink soda.

bluefish49

A trainer at the gym gave me a basic guideline for eating and losing weight. The most important aspect of it was staying under 45g of sugar a day. I didn't follow it perfectly, especially the sugars. I hit plateaus that lasted a long time, and got really frustrated. REALLY FRUSTRATED. I stood on the scale week after week not losing anything. I was staying just under the calorie goal, and not eating back my exercise calories. The trainer reminded me that staying under 45 sugars was the most important part of the plan. I started by eliminating the daily banana, and searched for other ways to reduce the sugars. Mainly stayed away from processed sugars and fruit sugars.

My weight loss started again, and I have dropped an average of 2 pounds a week steadily since November. It has been amazing. Its working for me. I've gone from a 5x shirt to a XL. 66 waist to 46. I just reached my interim goal on Tuesday, 3 weeks early, of weighing 250 by July 4. So I reset the goal to 245.

So limiting the sugars has worked for me. Is it for everyone? Dunno.

totalsham

Are the daily limits for sugar referring to added sugar only? I sure hope so, because after I eat one or two pieces of fruit and a plain yogurt, I'm already drastically over the limit. I am always over my limit. On a average day I take in about 50 to 60 grams, most of that being from natural sources. I wish they would change the wording to say added sugars if that's what it means, because seeing myself over that so-called daily limit is discouraging.

Care to enlighten us on the differences between added and sugars from natural sources, take sucrose found in your sugar jar vs sucrose form an apple

fiber..... which lowers the spiking of the blood sugar level

csheltra26

I find it hard to stay above that limit as well...actually, ALL limits cause me problems MFP says I should eat an extra 400 calories today...but my fat and my protein are in the reds, sugar is 0 and i have all these Carbs I still could use. How can I eat CARBS without eating SUGAR (natural or processed) at the same time? it's like impossible! 0_0

Maybe adjust your macros setting? I have mine at 40/30/30 (carbs/protein/fat)

totalsham

I usually have a hard time eating my sugar goal. I usually end up with half it left unless I eat candy or drink soda.

one kale shake and sugar is in the red.

but i guess almond milk, kale, spinach, celery, cucumber, carrots and any fruit in a blender is a terrible choice in food.

MrGonzo05

Assuming you aren't diabetic, tracking sugar is a waste of time.

jonnythan

Are the daily limits for sugar referring to added sugar only? I sure hope so, because after I eat one or two pieces of fruit and a plain yogurt, I'm already drastically over the limit. I am always over my limit. On a average day I take in about 50 to 60 grams, most of that being from natural sources. I wish they would change the wording to say added sugars if that's what it means, because seeing myself over that so-called daily limit is discouraging.

Care to enlighten us on the differences between added and sugars from natural sources, take sucrose found in your sugar jar vs sucrose form an apple

fiber..... which lowers the spiking of the blood sugar level

So granulated sugar is OK as long as you eat something with fiber with it?

And what's bad about a blood sugar level spike, anyway?

totalsham

so you dont get or see the part where he asked the different between sugar jar and apple? apple has 3-4 grams of fiber. So what, you are going to add metamucil to everything to compensate for the sugar added to your coffee? or how abou your sugar intake come from vegs and fruits and let the natural fiber control the blood sugar spikes.


spiking blood sugar is bad due to inflammation... and inflammation is the key to CVD.

having a sugar to fiber ratio of 1-1, 2-1 or 4-1 is amazing...

america diet, 20-1, 30-1, 50-1

Byrdsong1920

Here's a great article from my favorite website ...talks about added sugars--->> http://www.livestrong.com/article/382424-what-should-my-daily-sugar-intake-be/

I'd say be conscious of it and obviously avoid junk foods for several reasons: fats, simple carbs, etc
It's all about moderation!

Good luck

jonnythan

so you dont get or see the part where he asked the different between sugar jar and apple? apple has 3-4 grams of fiber. So what, you are going to add metamucil to everything to compensate for the sugar added to your coffee? or how abou your sugar intake come from vegs and fruits and let the natural fiber control the blood sugar spikes.


spiking blood sugar is bad due to inflammation... and inflammation is the key to CVD.

having a sugar to fiber ratio of 1-1, 2-1 or 4-1 is amazing...

america diet, 20-1, 30-1, 50-1

He asked the difference between the SUGAR, not the difference between eating a spoonful of sugar by itself and eating an apple.

So what's the metabolic difference between eating a spoonful of sugar with a spoonful of fiber and eating an apple?

LavenderBouquet

It's definitely not impossible, I had been eating that way the past couple months. It requires almost complete elimination of heavily processed foods, added sugars, grain products, and high sugar fruits. It most definitely can be done with a bit of effort.

hungryhobbit1

I customized my diary so that I don't have to see the sugar number, and replaced it with Vitamin C. I try to eat the US RDA of Vitamin C from food sources every day, which means fruit and vegetables. Doing this and shooting for 80-100 grams of protein a day, there are not too many calories left to mess around.

totalsham

.... really? sugar in any form is sugar.... it gets metabolized to glucose. so it doesnt matter. what matters is the fiber ratio. ok ill answer your 2nd question with a question.... where is the fiber coming from and what else does it bring.. like more sugar.

jonnythan

.... really? sugar in any form is sugar.... it gets metabolized to glucose. so it doesnt matter. what matters is the fiber ratio. ok ill answer your 2nd question with a question.... where is the fiber coming from and what else does it bring.. like more sugar.

So, in your opinion, sugar intake is irrelevant as long as fiber intake is sufficient?

totalsham

.... really? sugar in any form is sugar.... it gets metabolized to glucose. so it doesnt matter. what matters is the fiber ratio. ok ill answer your 2nd question with a question.... where is the fiber coming from and what else does it bring.. like more sugar.

So, in your opinion, sugar intake is irrelevant as long as fiber intake is sufficient?

of course... i said it above... keep sugar in a 1-1, 2-1 or 3-1 ratio with fiber and youre ok.

CrankMeUp

So the moral here is, "If you can't stay within the limit, don't pay attention to it..."? I have been tracking my sugar for over 2 years, eat between 2800-3200 cals a day depending on workout, and go aver my 60g limit 2 times a week on average.

Try not eating fruits so high in sugar (2 bananas a day, seriously!?!) It isn't impossible to reduce your sugar intake without making drastic diet changes, but I guess it all comes back down to your own personal goals!

Good Luck!!

nothing wrong with 2 bananas in a day!!!

OP I suggest just tracking your carbs, the sugar is included.

BrienJD

IMHO If you are in danger of being diabetic then watch it..otherwise...don't. I don't watch either sugar nor sodium. I am not willing to change my diet to the extremes necessary to always have good numbers.

Myxalplyx

So the moral here is, "If you can't stay within the limit, don't pay attention to it..."? I have been tracking my sugar for over 2 years, eat between 2800-3200 cals a day depending on workout, and go aver my 60g limit 2 times a week on average.

Good Luck!!

I'm with you on this. It is a hell of a challenge. Just try to change your diet so that you reach all or most of your nutrition goals. The recommended sugar a day is there for a reason. Use it! Good luck! (Yes, I know it sucks. I never thought I could get below it until now)

totalsham

IMHO If you are in danger of being diabetic then watch it..otherwise...don't. I don't watch either sugar nor sodium. I am not willing to change my diet to the extremes necessary to always have good numbers.

i agree on first part... couldnt disagree more with 2nd. Sodium should always be watched. Another American diet staple that is a killer and causes massive inflammation

jofjltncb6

So the moral here is, "If you can't stay within the limit, don't pay attention to it..."? I have been tracking my sugar for over 2 years, eat between 2800-3200 cals a day depending on workout, and go aver my 60g limit 2 times a week on average.

Try not eating fruits so high in sugar (2 bananas a day, seriously!?!) It isn't impossible to reduce your sugar intake without making drastic diet changes, but I guess it all comes back down to your own personal goals!

Good Luck!!

But why? Why worry about a 60g limit? As long as you're reaching your protein and fat minimums, why worry about sugar?

Honestly, I don't understand.

CraftyWeeWifey

I'm eating as little fructose as possible and I only just came under the sugar recommendations (my daily goal is 29g and most of that was sugar from dairy - milk, cheese) so if you aren't watching your sugar intake I'd guess it would be impossible to go under. I vote for ignore it or turn it off so you can't see it.

ndj1979

in..for the sugar debate

jonnythan

So the moral here is, "If you can't stay within the limit, don't pay attention to it..."? I have been tracking my sugar for over 2 years, eat between 2800-3200 cals a day depending on workout, and go aver my 60g limit 2 times a week on average.

Try not eating fruits so high in sugar (2 bananas a day, seriously!?!) It isn't impossible to reduce your sugar intake without making drastic diet changes, but I guess it all comes back down to your own personal goals!

Good Luck!!

But why? Why worry about a 60g limit? As long as you're reaching your protein and fat minimums, why worry about sugar?

Honestly, I don't understand.

People have been trained to be scared of sugar the way they've been trained to be scared of fat. The association with diabetes makes it worse - diabetics must severely restrict sugar intake, so it's hard to break the association that sugar has something to do with diabetes.

Sugar and carb fear has been hammered into our heads by the media and health industry for over a decade now. It's tough to reverse that.

HartJames

It's a good idea to not think a piece of fruit = a serving of fruit. For me 1/2 an apple, 1/2 a banana, 1/3 cup of berries and so on or I go by weight.

crazybookworm

Cut down on food that contains sugar all types it's unhealthy
& it will be harder to lose weight.

Disagree with this. I believe that yes, you should watch you sugar intake with all sugars. Natural sugars are far better for you than added. Your body breaks them down to be used for energy. I eat probably 3 cups minimum of fruits and veggies a day. And it in no way interfered with my weight loss. I kept a 10 lbs a month average during my entire journey.

ndj1979

I totally know what you mean. I used to worry about this as well. I agree with what everyone else has said - basically, eat whole fruit (natural fresh produce) to your heart's content. However, I have read that it's even more important to make sure you eat more vegetables because of the sugar content in fruit (even though fruit is all natural, obviously). So I think you COULD overdo it on the fruit to a mild extent, but if you're like me and just eat some fresh berries, an apple, and a banana every day (the three of which send me skyrocketing over MFP's sugar limit), I would not worry about it at all!

please explain the difference from sugar in fruit as opposed to sugar in a piece of cake?

shannashannabobana

IMHO If you are in danger of being diabetic then watch it..

That would be about a third of the country at this point...

Sodium should always be watched

I do like to watch my sodium, however there are an increasing number of studies indicating that the recommendations may be set too low. You have bad outcomes with too little sodium, as well as too much. The American diet is so processed, though, that most people don’t have any problem getting too little.

Sugar and carb fear has been hammered into our heads by the media and health industry for over a decade now.

This was a response to the OMG Fat is Evil eat more carbs push from the 70/80’s. Which resulted in skyrocketed obesity and poor health outcomes.

ndj1979

stop eating fruit..problem solved...