Do you worry about sugar?

2

Replies

  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    trinairby wrote: »
    I just want to add that you can lose weight without tracking sugar, obviously because CI/CO. BUT if you want to get rid of or prevent additional belly fat specifically, you have to watch added sugars. If that isn't a concern, then don't track it. I try to keep my added sugar under 25 grams a day to keep the belly fat at bay. With a body approaching 40, belly fat is my main concern and struggle.

    Sugar does not cause belly fat. I'm a binge eater and if I cut sweets out completely I will binge eat. I ate candy daily while preparing for my bodybuilding competition. Even after having two babies while obese I was able to get a six pack while eating candy and other added sugars.
  • californiagirl2012
    californiagirl2012 Posts: 2,625 Member
    No need to worry, fat loss is all about calories or food energy. WHAT you eat determines performance or how you feel. As long as we get the right amount of protein, carbs, fats, nutrients, fiber, etc and achieve our body fat level goals it's all good.

    Just keep doing your thing.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    no, sugar = sugar. Make sure you get adequate nutrition, hit your macro goals, and hit your calorie target.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    trinairby wrote: »
    I just want to add that you can lose weight without tracking sugar, obviously because CI/CO. BUT if you want to get rid of or prevent additional belly fat specifically, you have to watch added sugars. If that isn't a concern, then don't track it. I try to keep my added sugar under 25 grams a day to keep the belly fat at bay. With a body approaching 40, belly fat is my main concern and struggle.

    I just want to add that your comment about belly fat is dead wrong.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    I wouldn't say I worry about sugar, but I pay attention to how much added sugar I eat. That includes natural sugars like syrups and honey. So in your situation I wouldn't concern myself with the fruit, but I would pay attention to the added sugar in the nut butter.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    I'm more concerned with protein, fat, and micros. Sugar is whatever.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    I don't even track it. As long as I'm getting the protein and fat I need, sugar is not an issue for me.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    GeoBaybee wrote: »
    More specifically, natural sugar, I constantly go over on sugar, but it's mostly from fruits and nut butters..I'm losing fine, but should I cut back on the fruits and nut butters?

    If what you are doing is working and you are enjoying foods you like and still losing weight it would seem odd to change. What do you intend eating long term?

    I swapped out sugar tracking for fibre as it seemed more useful than tracking what is just a subset of carbs.
  • _dixiana_
    _dixiana_ Posts: 3,262 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    trinairby wrote: »
    I just want to add that you can lose weight without tracking sugar, obviously because CI/CO. BUT if you want to get rid of or prevent additional belly fat specifically, you have to watch added sugars. If that isn't a concern, then don't track it. I try to keep my added sugar under 25 grams a day to keep the belly fat at bay. With a body approaching 40, belly fat is my main concern and struggle.

    I just want to add that your comment about belly fat is dead wrong.

    Maybe you could enlighten me then? Because it seems to be working for me as my belly fat has decreased since I started being more aware of added sugars. To say that someone is "dead wrong" without a backup statement as to why is a little pointless. What did you accomplish with that comment?
  • RainaProske
    RainaProske Posts: 636 Member
    edited July 2016
    As a newly admitted diabetic, I have a lot to learn yet about sugar and starches, and, of course, I have to watch it. I'm struggling hard with understanding starches. I am not balancing things well at all.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    trinairby wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    trinairby wrote: »
    I just want to add that you can lose weight without tracking sugar, obviously because CI/CO. BUT if you want to get rid of or prevent additional belly fat specifically, you have to watch added sugars. If that isn't a concern, then don't track it. I try to keep my added sugar under 25 grams a day to keep the belly fat at bay. With a body approaching 40, belly fat is my main concern and struggle.

    I just want to add that your comment about belly fat is dead wrong.

    Maybe you could enlighten me then? Because it seems to be working for me as my belly fat has decreased since I started being more aware of added sugars. To say that someone is "dead wrong" without a backup statement as to why is a little pointless. What did you accomplish with that comment?

    Food choices don't impact where the fat comes off, biology does. Reducing added sugars has likely helped you maintain a calorie deficit and your body fat is to the point where your biology says it's time to take fat from the mid section of your body. Being aware of added sugars can help people make choices that keep them in a deficit easier.
  • markrgeary1
    markrgeary1 Posts: 853 Member
    trinairby wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    trinairby wrote: »
    I just want to add that you can lose weight without tracking sugar, obviously because CI/CO. BUT if you want to get rid of or prevent additional belly fat specifically, you have to watch added sugars. If that isn't a concern, then don't track it. I try to keep my added sugar under 25 grams a day to keep the belly fat at bay. With a body approaching 40, belly fat is my main concern and struggle.

    I just want to add that your comment about belly fat is dead wrong.

    Maybe you could enlighten me then? Because it seems to be working for me as my belly fat has decreased since I started being more aware of added sugars. To say that someone is "dead wrong" without a backup statement as to why is a little pointless. What did you accomplish with that comment?

    You can't spot reduce.

    The impact of sugar on your waistline is only the calories in the sugary food. In other words your body knows no difference between 1000 calories of kale vs. you putting on a feed-bag of sugar, speaking strictly from a weight loss perspective. You're eating less calories is the reason your losing, not sugar. Now maybe you are like me, some sugary foods can start a binge that's opposite of your goals, so it's beneficial to reduce sugars.
  • ROBOTFOOD
    ROBOTFOOD Posts: 5,527 Member
    I don't track anything. My intake is high (distance runner).
  • CooCooPuff
    CooCooPuff Posts: 4,374 Member
    The only time I track sugar is when I want to cook something and need to check if I have enough at home.
  • extra_medium
    extra_medium Posts: 1,525 Member
    edited July 2016
    I was struggling with the same issue a while back. Natural sugars don't worry about - if you're going over because you're eating candy with every meal, then it's an issue ;)

    It's really not an issue unless you have a medical condition or it's causing you to gain weight. If you're sticking to your calorie/macro goals and you're satisfied, don't worry about sugar. Your body doesn't know if it came from a banana or a snicker's bar, it's just sugar when it gets broken down.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,093 Member
    trinairby wrote: »
    GeoBaybee wrote: »
    I'm more of a Peter Pan gal....in general I'm a peanut butter addict, but I only allow one serving a day. I've tried the more "natural" versions, but they just aren't near as good...

    I'm telling you, Smuckers Natural is THE BEST natural peanut butter I've had. It's so delicious on apples! I only allow myself to have it a few times a month week day when I'm trying to lose.

    FIFY
    I don't track sugar, but I eat no-sugar-added PBs because they taste like peanuts. I can barely taste the peanuts through the sugar and the non-peanut-oils in the mainstream versions.
    I like Smuckers Natural the best, but Wegmans carries Santa Cruz dark roast PB (peanuts and salt only) that's pretty good.
  • BLifts38
    BLifts38 Posts: 248 Member
    GeoBaybee wrote: »
    I'm more of a Peter Pan gal....in general I'm a peanut butter addict, but I only allow one serving a day. I've tried the more "natural" versions, but they just aren't near as good...

    do yourself a huge favor and buy Nuts n More peanut butter -- or any other flavor for that matter.
  • ouryve
    ouryve Posts: 572 Member
    If it's working for you, then no need.

    As for peanut butter, I'm firmly on the side of the unsweetened stuff simply because sweet peanuts are an abomination.
  • solieco1
    solieco1 Posts: 1,559 Member
    Only because I find I'm hungrier if I eat much of it. I find to easier to eat less overall without sugar.
  • MelaniaTrump
    MelaniaTrump Posts: 2,694 Member
    edited July 2016
    I have given up High Fructose Corn Syrup for life. I consider it much worse.
    I didn't even eat stuffing at thanksgiving.
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    I have given up High Fructose Corn Syrup for life. I consider it much worse.
    I didn't even eat stuffing at thanksgiving.

    What on earth does that have to do with the question?
  • MelaniaTrump
    MelaniaTrump Posts: 2,694 Member
    edited July 2016
    Sugar
    Similarly to regular table sugar (sucrose), it is composed of both fructose and glucose.
    High fructose corn syrup is worse.
    Should be made illegal.
  • glassyo
    glassyo Posts: 7,744 Member
    I don't track sugar but I can guarantee I go over and I'm 126 lbs down.
  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    edited July 2016
    I'm completely healthy as far as I know and lost weight successfully as well as maintain successfully without tracking it at all (nor do I pay attention to organics, non-GMO, "unpronouncable" ingredients, etc.)

    I don't eat a ton of it, but I do like chocolate, ice cream, peanut butter (when I can, which is not often as my husband is allergic), and the occasional baked good, and I'm also known to eat stuff like crackers, pretzels, and other starchy snacks (and truthfully, I find they help give me a little energy boost before a long run and so I especially eat them then.) I'm not a huge fan of most heavily processed/packaged foods and day-to-day my meals are mostly lean protein and vegetables, but if I have calories to spend after dinner I definitely don't think twice about burrowing in the freezer for some gelato or grabbing a packet of Goldfish grahams or whatever.

    I feel great, I have tons of energy, run up to 40 miles per week, and have never noticed a single thing that would make me want to cut out sugar. Nor have I read anything from any reputable scientific source to make me think I need to remove all sugar from my diet.

    Let me at that high fructose corn syrup, if I'm only allowed to eat peanuts when my husband is out of town I want that whipped Skippy that's more like frosting than anything else.
  • MelaniaTrump
    MelaniaTrump Posts: 2,694 Member
    edited July 2016
    @peloroja Skippy has no high fructose corn syrup, just...
    2nd and 3rd ingredients, sugar and partially hydrogenated cottonseed and rapseed oil.
    I did not know partially hydrogenated items were still being bought by healthy people.
    http://thedelicioustruth.blogspot.com/2009/05/whats-in-peanut-butter-skippy-vs.html
    4 minute video on dangers of partially hydrogenated fats
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beETt4fOVLw
  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    @peloroja Skippy has no high fructose corn syrup, just...
    2nd and 3rd ingredients, sugar and partially hydrogenated cottonseed and rapseed oil.
    I did not know partially hydrogenated items were still on store shelves. The natural stuff is so much better.

    Wow, you didn't get my point at all. I'll restate if it helps the incredibly literal among us...

    "Let me at those partially hydrogenated oils, if I'm only allowed to eat peanuts when my husband is out of town I want that whipped Skippy that's more like frosting than anything else." I refuse to waste the calories on the "natural stuff" in the case of peanut butter. Ick. I'm not into it. What does have high fructose corn syrup? I think I'm craving some...I think I've got some pancake syrup in the back of the fridge...

    The point of this ribbing is to say that I do not agree with demonizing food. I mean, I'm not out eating three meals a day of McDonalds and frozen pizza, but I'm very much not interested in living a life where I don't eat junk food once in a while.
  • mumblemagic
    mumblemagic Posts: 1,090 Member
    I am trying to cut down on sugary crap (donuts, chocolate, cake, chocolate donut cake), mainly because I love sweet treats but i have them so often they are no longer a treat. Also if I can train my body to be satisfied with the sugar hit from strawberries or raspberries or other sweet fruit I will get my hit for fewer calories which will make losing weight easier. Plus nutrients and stuff.

    That said, I have no medical conditions that would require me to track sugar, so I don't bother with counting raw sugar grams. I just count calories, try to get enough protein, and use common sense to tell me that 2 cakes and a chocolate bar and 2 donuts is too much sugary crap in one day :smile:
  • johnwelk
    johnwelk Posts: 396 Member
    Sugar
    Similarly to regular table sugar (sucrose), it is composed of both fructose and glucose.
    High fructose corn syrup is worse.
    Should be made illegal.

    Nope. You are wrong:

    http://www.skepticalraptor.com/skepticalraptorblog.php/high-fructose-corn-syrup-just-sugar/
  • MelaniaTrump
    MelaniaTrump Posts: 2,694 Member
    I don't do blogs.