I Have a Question About Sugar Intake...

Ram12192

Since I've started logging my meals I've noticed that I always go above my daily allowance of sugar (31g). It's because I eat fruits with every meal and for snacks throughout the day. Should I cut back on my fruit eating or is it ok as long as my sugar mostly comes from fruit?

(Sorry if this is a dumb question)

DeguelloTex

Unless you have a medical issue, it's fine.

tincanonastring

I don't even look at my sugars, for the most part, because I don't have a medical issue that makes that a necessity. I've seen people post that they use a philosophy of "high sugar/high fiber," meaning if their sugar level is high, they look for high fiber levels, too.

nordlead2005

I don't look at sugars, as it doesn't really matter. Instead I focus on macros and a varied diet.

If you want to follow any of the guildlines (USDAA, WHO, etc..), then you have to track added sugars, not sugars in your fruit, and MFP doesn't really do that. I think the WHO guildlines are less than 10% of your calories should be added sugars, and ideally less than 5%. This does not include sugar from fruits, veggies, or milk (possibly other sources, you'd have to read the guildlines). There is typically no limit on fruits, vegies and milk in the various guidelines.

My diary says I'm averaging 69g of sugar this week and averaging ~2000 calories. So based on WHO guildlines I could eat up to 50g of added sugar, but I don't know how many of those 69g are added or natural and I can't be bothered to work it out (too much effort for no real benefit).

yarwell

Ram12192 wrote: »

Since I've started logging my meals I've noticed that I always go above my daily allowance of sugar (31g). It's because I eat fruits with every meal and for snacks throughout the day. Should I cut back on my fruit eating or is it ok as long as my sugar mostly comes from fruit?

rerun your goals and you should have 45 grams minimum (at 1200 calories).

nvmomketo

DeguelloTex wrote: »

Unless you have a medical issue, it's fine.

I agree. Sugars from fruits and veggies are not a problems for people who have no medical issues linked to diet.

If your sugars were from processed foods, soda or candies, it may not be as benign.

lemurcat12

Ram12192 wrote: »

Since I've started logging my meals I've noticed that I always go above my daily allowance of sugar (31g).

Sugar is 15% of calories, so either you are doing about 827 calories (which you should not, period), have set a special custom sugar goal (so set it higher), or -- most likely -- set your goals before they revised that one. If it's the last, rerun your goals (as yarwell said).

Beyond that, if you are on low calories (like 1200) and eat lots of fruit, vegetables, and dairy, it's easy to go over the 15%. I'd look at the source of your sugar and see if it's generally from foods that you think are contributing micronutrients and make sure you are getting enough fat, protein, and fiber, and otherwise not worry much about it. You may find it's not an issue when you fix the goal anyway.