limit fat or sugar?

this might sound stupid but im more scared of sugar than fat because i feel sugar is just a energy source and stores up as fat for any energy that isn't used, it does nothing good for my body but were as fat is good for the hormones and bones for some reason i can remember and does lots of other things for the body as well so i know its being put to good use and i also don't see the point in pure sugars energy when i can get energy from things that are low in sugar.
the stereo type that fat makes you fat is not true and i feel i would rather have something with a bit of fat rather than something that had 0% fat and 24g sugar for example...
but im here asking if im right? and should i feel really bad every time i have something sugary?

Replies

  • illuvatree
    illuvatree Posts: 185 Member
    It depends on the type of fat and the type of sugar, in my opinion. If you go over a certain amount of saturated fat, or have trans fat, it can be bad for you. Unsaturated fats aren't. And there are bad sugars as well, like high fructose corn syrup. And it can be bad if you have *too* much, but you don't have to cut it out completely. You just have to learn what to look for in nutrition labels and ingredient lists. It's more complicated than fat vs sugar. I always go over my sugar because of fruit, if I'm honest.
  • I heard that "Good fats don't make you fat". Anyway, you need fat to burn fat. Not too much, though. I'm way more scared of carbs than fat, but that's me..
  • im a bit anoyed with carbs because my stupid body just breaks them down into sugar no matter how much i avoid it :/
  • It depends on the type of fat and the type of sugar, in my opinion. If you go over a certain amount of saturated fat, or have trans fat, it can be bad for you. Unsaturated fats aren't. And there are bad sugars as well, like high fructose corn syrup. And it can be bad if you have *too* much, but you don't have to cut it out completely. You just have to learn what to look for in nutrition labels and ingredient lists. It's more complicated than fat vs sugar. I always go over my sugar because of fruit, if I'm honest.
    yea i keep a eye on saturated fat but i think trans fat will just balance it's self out with my general diet
  • npavao145
    npavao145 Posts: 3 Member
    The short answer is limit sugar much more than fat. This is mainly due to the fact that sugar is present in many of the foods we eat it is nearly impossible to avoid. Fats are healthy to eat and as was previously stated eating more poly and mono unsaturated fats is better then saturated fat and trans fats. Trans fats are one of the new taboos for society so it should be easier to limit their intake.

    Sugar is technically sugar regardless of its source. The only different between the sugar is how quickly it is absorded into your blood stream. simply sugars like HFCS and granualted sugar are quickly broken down and thus quickly enter the blood stream. this sudden spike in sugar triggers a corresponding spike in insulin. Insulin is a powerful hormone that reacts with your muscle and fat cells to store energy (i.e. calories). the more insulin in your bloodstream the more receptors on your tissue activate and draw in sugars, fats and other nutrients.

    eating complex carbs (oatmeal, rice, whole grains) still causes an insulin increase but due to their slower digestion rate the sugar released into the blood (and insulin secreated as a response) is smaller and over a longer time which means that less energy is being stored in fat and muscle.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Or you could just eat a well balanced diet at a deficit and save all the drama about good fats, bad fat, the debil suga and all the res.
  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    Or you could just eat a well balanced diet at a deficit and save all the drama about good fats, bad fat, the debil suga and all the res.

    This.
  • darkguardian419
    darkguardian419 Posts: 1,302 Member
    Or you could just eat a well balanced diet at a deficit and save all the drama about good fats, bad fat, the debil suga and all the res.

    ^this

    I try to limit my carbs ONLY because I know if I have a decent amount, I won't stop.

    It's all down to personal preference.

    Maintain a decent (not huge) caloric deficit and you'll be fine. Pick and choose where you want the calories from, and try to make good choices based on nutrient content etc.
  • Phoenix_Warrior
    Phoenix_Warrior Posts: 1,633 Member
    Or you could just eat a well balanced diet at a deficit and save all the drama about good fats, bad fat, the debil suga and all the res.

    ^moar this. It doesn't have to be complex.
  • There is an excellent article about sugar in the August 2013 National Geographic. It explains why we are so addicted to it and the massive amounts we consume in processed foods. There are good fats and not so good fats and consuming the good fat can help you feel full and more satisfied. Carbs and sugar just leave you wanting more. I highly suggest looking up that article - it was a real wake up for me.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Or you could just eat a well balanced diet at a deficit and save all the drama about good fats, bad fat, the debil suga and all the res.

    ^moar this. It doesn't have to be complex.

    just belaboring the point....
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    Or you could just eat a well balanced diet at a deficit and save all the drama about good fats, bad fat, the debil suga and all the res.

    ^moar this. It doesn't have to be complex.

    just belaboring the point....

    I'm thinkin' this.