Sugar

kfischer1018

I know when gaining weight/building muscle most people focus on fats, protein, calories and carbs but I've noticed I am way over in what MFP says I should be eating in sugar. I already know I have a bit of a sugar addiction, this isn't news to me. But it also seems like the higher calorie foods that I need to be eating to put on the weight are all higher in sugar also. Should I just not worry about my sugar intake so much right now? It seems to me like it might be counterproductive to try to cut back on sugar while I'm trying to gain. I know eventually it's something I should consider I just wonder if this is the time.

usmcmp

Do you have a medical reason to watch sugar?

If so then you should watch it.

If not look at your diet on the whole. If you have lean protein, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetable, you're probably just fine even if the sugar isn't coming all from fruits and vegetables.

Chieflrg

I'd be way more concerned about sugar substitutes than sugar.

MFP has defaults on intake doesn't mean it's written in stone. MFP assumes I'm fat because how much I weigh for my height/age and spits out obnoxious low amount of calories for me to eat. Needless to say I eat what I need for my goals.

kfischer1018

@usmcmp no I don't have a medical reason to watch sugar? And I don't usually pay attention to it until I started getting my stats at the end of the day after I submit my food diary and saw some days it was really, really high. But my blood sugar levels are good so medically it's not a concern.

@Chieflrg I use zero sugar substitutes at all, well, with the exception of that pesky HFCS which pops it's ugly head into my food every now and then, but even that one we closely regulate in our home. It's pretty much sugar, honey and pure maple syrup around here.

French_Peasant

MFP defaults are definitely NOT tailored to your unique needs; the vast majority of people who come on here probably need to give serious consideration to the amount of sugar (and fat) they eat, until they get on a track that helps them meet their weight-loss goals. You might want to change out what shows up for you, so you don't stress about it as you work diligently to put on weight, because it can be a serious distraction to what you are trying to do for you health (compounded exponentially by the general anti-sugar hysteria in the general culture). Personally, after the macros, I track fiber and calcium, as those are important to my goals and my health.

For your goals, a spoon or two of honey mixed into some full-fat Greek yogurt, or some maple syrup drizzled across hot whole-grain blueberry pancakes with a nice dollop of butter would be delicious, enticing, and great for boosting your calories.

quiksylver296

Sugar is a carb. You're already tracking carbs. I switched my sugar tracker out to fiber. I have no reason to track sugar beyond tracking my carbs.

kfischer1018

Thanks @French_Peasant and @quiksylver296. I didn't realize you could switch out what shows up to show other items instead. I will definitely look into that!

ETA I went to my settings and switched out sugar for fiber and sodium (because I'm always under or right at my sodium suggestions anyway) for calcium...I definitely like those numbers better. Lol

mmapags

So, a little nitpick here. You don't have a sugar addiction. You might have a preference for sweet things and you may have trouble controlling cravings. But, it is not a addiction. It is an attachment. For me, it is kind of rubbing on a raw nerve kind of thing with what people call addictions these days.

As for the rest, I agree with what has been said by others. The only caveat is if it is a cravings issue that interferes with your goals, I'd look at that.

fb47

quiksylver296 wrote: »

Sugar is a carb. You're already tracking carbs. I switched my sugar tracker out to fiber. I have no reason to track sugar beyond tracking my carbs.

I did the samething, sodium and sugar is not something I care to see, I prefer seeing protein, fats, carbs and fiber. The rest is just numbers. As long as you get your vitamins and minerals along with fiber and you hit your macros, you'll be fine.