sugar addicted?

squankish

Okay so I recently changed the settings on my food diary to include sugar and it's killing me! I think I might be sugar addicted because all of the foods that I love have sugar in them.

It feels like it's impossible to stay under 24 grams of sugar per day... especially if I have fresh fruit (a banana) or cereal for breakfast. If I stay under in sugar, I never have 1200 calories. Usually it's more like 800... which is bad. Even milk has sugar in it! Oh and also, I don't want to use sugar substitutes like splenda because I'm scared of that stuff.

Does anyone have any suggestions as far as how I can stay under? Do you know of any foods that have little to no sugar in them that are delicious and healthy? I need help! Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
Loretta

squankish

Okay so I recently changed the settings on my food diary to include sugar and it's killing me! I think I might be sugar addicted because all of the foods that I love have sugar in them.

It feels like it's impossible to stay under 24 grams of sugar per day... especially if I have fresh fruit (a banana) or cereal for breakfast. If I stay under in sugar, I never have 1200 calories. Usually it's more like 800... which is bad. Even milk has sugar in it! Oh and also, I don't want to use sugar substitutes like splenda because I'm scared of that stuff.

Does anyone have any suggestions as far as how I can stay under? Do you know of any foods that have little to no sugar in them that are delicious and healthy? I need help! Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
Loretta

sr2000

why are you supposd to stay under 24 grams? I'm just curious if you have to do this for a health condition or dr recommendation. Because as you mentioned sugar is found in so many foods. I understand trying to stay away from too much sugar sweetened foods, but it's nearly impossible to avoid natural sugars. And if it means not eating enough food/calories, that's not healthy.

Eve23

Well I don't necesarily watch my sugar intake but I do think there is a definate difference between the sugar you find naturally in foods and the processed sugar. I personally try to stay away from the processed sugars and I definately stay away from the artificial sweetners. I like to use agave nectar whenever I can. It has a low GI index which is good if you are concerned about that.

I just checked one of the things I have had today and enjoy on a fairly regular basis. Yams for 1 cup it is only 1 gran if sugar. Pine nuts have no sugar and are 1 g fiber and 7 g protein. Very tasty when they are togethor.

Hope that helps

squankish

I'm just going by what myfitnesspal recommends. Maybe they only mean processed sugars?

jcummings69

Yea I can't imagine only 24 grams! An apple alone has 22 grams!

CyclingDiva

I'm not an expert on sugars, but I do try and research as much as I can on food chemistry, vitamins, carbs, proteins...ect!

One thing I have learned over the years is eat high fiber foods. I also do 1200 calories a day and eating high fiber foods is the only way I would survive. Steel Cut oat with fruit in the morning will keep me satisfied until lunch. Then it's lots of veggies for lunch and dinner, with a protein (chicken, fish...ect)
Hope this helps. Best of luck to you!

Here is a some links to a few websites that may help with your understanding of simple sugars and complex carbohydrates. The internet is full of information
http://www.briancalkins.com/simplevscomplexcarb.htm

http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=1264

squankish

Thanks for all of the replies! That actually helps a lot... so thank you thank you thank you! :drinker:

dshandt

I thought it sounded silly the first time I heard it, but as you try to cut back on sugars, you will generally find that the desire for them is reduced. I once fasted from sweets for a month to see what would happen, and I completely lost the desire for them. so take heart....as you substitute healthy, high-fiber foods and good carbs, the sweet tooth is less and less of a problem!

squankish

that's good to know! I really do think that it can be compared to addiction. I guess I just need to break the bad habit and then things will get easier.

REB89

i think as long as you steer clear of the unhealthy refined sugar then you shouldn't worry too much about the natural sugars coming from fruit etc. I don't worry too much!