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Natural Sugar Total

ibadger1
ibadger1 Posts: 1 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I have a question. My settings state I am allowed 86g per day. My weekly average has been 83g. I eat only fruit no added sugar ever. Why is my settings so high and am I eating too much sugar?

Replies

  • KrissFlavored
    KrissFlavored Posts: 327 Member
    Myfitnesspal does not differentiate between different kinds of sugars, so it counts everything the same. If you know what you're eating just take the number with a grain of salt and know you're not eating too much added sugar
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 35,356 Member
    Organizations like USDA and WHO suggest we limit added sugar, but generally consider inherent sugars not a problem.

    One caveat: We do need a certain minimum of protein and fats for good nutrition, thus best health. If you're eating so much of any other thing (including natural sugars) that you don't get enough protein or fats within a reasonable calorie goal, that would be sub-optimal, to say the least.

    Those are the things WHO and USDA are really concerned about, if you read the full text of what they say: Many/most people who eat "too much" added sugar either go over a sensible calorie level (so gain weight), or don't get proper nutrition on a reasonable calorie level, either of which can be a problem. The third thing WHO/USDA (and most other major health-recommendation bodies) warn about is the effect of sugar on teeth . . . so maybe brush yours, after meals. ;)

    Many product labels don't list added sugar separately from total sugar, so MFP can't track added sugar accurately.

    I ate more than the MFP sugar goal all through weight loss, while getting good balanced nutrition. The overwhelming majority of the sugar came from fruits, veggies, and no-sugar-added dairy products. (I eat a tablespoon of blackstrap molasses, an added sugar, in my oatmeal; and have a piece of good chocolate occasionally but not daily. Other than rare special events, that's about it for routine added sugar.) I lost weight fine, and have maintained a healthy weight for 4+ years now, eating the same way.

    Personally, I modified my MFP set-up to stop tracking sugar on my diary page, and track fiber instead, since that was more meaningful to me.
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