My doctor says, "No sugar for a month" (Dec-Jan 17th)
Replies
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Thanks for the link. It's great to see research being done in these areas.Sugar is difficult for some people to eat in moderate amounts. From today's New York Times:
In Food Cravings, Sugar Trumps Fat
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/13/in-food-cravings-sugar-trumps-fat/?hp&pagewanted=all&_r=0
ETA:
OP, I eat a relatively low sugar diet now and I promise you that the less sugar you eat the less you want. I still love sweets and all of that but I no longer fight cravings or eat them compulsively. It's tough at first, I know, but eventually it becomes effortless. Best wishes.0 -
When I was 16, I was diagnosed with severe hypoglycemia. My doctor also told me to stop all sugar immediately for a month and see how my sugar responded. I instantly felt better and stopped passing out in class. My sugar was hovering in the 20s when I stopped eating sugar and in that month, rebounded to the healthier 80s.
The good news is that I dropped 15 lbs. that month. The bad news was that I wanted sugar all the time, but that changed over the course of the month and I learned to do without.
The new good news is that there are many tasty sugar-free snacks available these days.
(If it's for another reason besides blood sugars, I missed it in the posts and apologize.)
I am confused because doesn't hypoglycemia mean low blood sugar? If your blood sugar was that low, why would the dr. tell you to stop eating sugar?
Hypoglycemics create a LOT of insulin when they eat sugar. Therefore, your body eats all the sugar you ingest along with any you have healthily stored in your body. The end result is the same: Insulin reaction. If you stop eating sugar, your body won't create too much insulin and your blood sugar can even out more easily.
Thanks for the clarification! I understand now.0 -
I had some bld wk done because I can't seem to lose weight. Instead I keep gaining and it's really frustrating. So, she suspects sugar is the problem and wants me to cut it out for a month as well as only eat 1200-1500 calories a day and more of a low carb/high protein ratio. It's gonna be so hard for me.
get a new Dr...
overeating makes you gain and/or lose weight...not sugar consumption..if you eat sugar in a caloric deficit you will lose weight..unless of course you have some underlying medical condition that we are not aware of?0 -
Inb4 "Sugerz iz da debil".
and also with youIn...
...for an inevitable mature discussion about sugar.
hopping on this train with you guys
in..because I know where this train is going...0 -
sugar was the 2nd shooter on the grassy knoll...
...probably.
bahahahahahaha...tis true!0 -
It wasn't the OP who commented on having that much sugar.
I would get a second opinion. I don't track sugar and have lost 125lbs in 16 months. I don't get what sugar even has to do with it.I had some bld wk done because I can't seem to lose weight. Instead I keep gaining and it's really frustrating. So, she suspects sugar is the problem and wants me to cut it out for a month as well as only eat 1200-1500 calories a day and more of a low carb/high protein ratio. It's gonna be so hard for me.
1000 calories a day from sugar is insane and doesn't leave room for healthy macro ratios. It sounds like the Doc is just using sugar as a way to restrict calories and get smarter macro balance, which based on the OP's comments, is a pretty reasonable thing to try.
Doesn't really matter what the exact number is. To achieve reasonable macro and micro balance on 1500 calories a day is going to be a big big challenge without significant restriction on sugar, there's no way around it.
Sounds to me like the Doc is on the right track.
and you know this how..???
I don't recall OP saying how much sugar she was consuming...0 -
I think it's great that your doctor told you to cut the refined sugar. Good advice. Some people are saying that its just about calories but there is more to it then just that. Not only does sugar wreak havoc on your body by constantly keeping your blood sugar levels elevated which can lead to insulin resistance, sugar is a a seriously addictive substance for some people. I would say it's best to try and kick the habit now. Yes you can lose weight by just cutting calories but don't you want to be smaller and healthier instead of just smaller? Giving up refined sugar isn't as hard as you think. There are plenty of healthy alternatives that you can use to sweeten things up like, stevia, honey, or even really ripe bananas. I use really ripe bananas to sweeten up cakes and they come out just perfect. Oh and I wouldn't even think about replacing refined sugar with artificial sweetners. Just don't do it. They are even worse for you. Although I agree with your doctor about cutting out the refined sugar, I think her calorie recommendations are too low. I would aim a bit higher.
you just sugar wreaks havoc on your body and then you recommend eating things with sugar in them, really?
honey and bananas have sugar in them...
I think my brain just exploded...0 -
I think it's great that your doctor told you to cut the refined sugar. Good advice. Some people are saying that its just about calories but there is more to it then just that. Not only does sugar wreak havoc on your body by constantly keeping your blood sugar levels elevated which can lead to insulin resistance, sugar is a a seriously addictive substance for some people. I would say it's best to try and kick the habit now. Yes you can lose weight by just cutting calories but don't you want to be smaller and healthier instead of just smaller? Giving up refined sugar isn't as hard as you think. There are plenty of healthy alternatives that you can use to sweeten things up like, stevia, honey, or even really ripe bananas. I use really ripe bananas to sweeten up cakes and they come out just perfect. Oh and I wouldn't even think about replacing refined sugar with artificial sweetners. Just don't do it. They are even worse for you. Although I agree with your doctor about cutting out the refined sugar, I think her calorie recommendations are too low. I would aim a bit higher.
you just sugar wreaks havoc on your body and then you recommend eating things with sugar in them, really?
honey and bananas have sugar in them...
I think my brain just exploded...
Silly!! Natural sugars are okay, it's those pesky added sugars and prepackaged foods with sugar, that are the devil!!
OH and don't forget those disgusting FAKE sugars... oh my goodness!!! *sips her diet pepsi*0 -
I think it's great that your doctor told you to cut the refined sugar. Good advice. Some people are saying that its just about calories but there is more to it then just that. Not only does sugar wreak havoc on your body by constantly keeping your blood sugar levels elevated which can lead to insulin resistance, sugar is a a seriously addictive substance for some people. I would say it's best to try and kick the habit now. Yes you can lose weight by just cutting calories but don't you want to be smaller and healthier instead of just smaller? Giving up refined sugar isn't as hard as you think. There are plenty of healthy alternatives that you can use to sweeten things up like, stevia, honey, or even really ripe bananas. I use really ripe bananas to sweeten up cakes and they come out just perfect. Oh and I wouldn't even think about replacing refined sugar with artificial sweetners. Just don't do it. They are even worse for you. Although I agree with your doctor about cutting out the refined sugar, I think her calorie recommendations are too low. I would aim a bit higher.
you just sugar wreaks havoc on your body and then you recommend eating things with sugar in them, really?
honey and bananas have sugar in them...
I think my brain just exploded...
Silly!! Natural sugars are okay, it's those pesky added sugars and prepackaged foods with sugar, that are the devil!!
OH and don't forget those disgusting FAKE sugars... oh my goodness!!! *sips her diet pepsi*
oh yes, how stupid of me...natural sugar = OK, added sugar = BAD ...*face palm*0 -
I'm addicted to threads about sugar. The broscience people pass out in these threads just kills me.0
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I think if you follow the doctor's advice of eating more protein, you'll see results in your blood work.
This alone, lowers your carb intake - at least it does for me. I try to eat at least 25% or more of my calories from protein.
I also have been eating a net of almost 2000 calories and I'm dropping weight.
If you don't eat enough food in general, your body will hold on to it's energy sources (fat) because it does not know when it's next meal is coming. In order to get energy, it will start to burn that much needed muscle and keep the fat.
Which leads to... eating too little also slows your metabolism.0 -
I think if you follow the doctor's advice of eating more protein, you'll see results in your blood work.
This alone, lowers your carb intake - at least it does for me. I try to eat at least 25% or more of my calories from protein.
I also have been eating a net of almost 2000 calories and I'm dropping weight.
If you don't eat enough food in general, your body will hold on to it's energy sources (fat) because it does not know when it's next meal is coming. In order to get energy, it will start to burn that much needed muscle and keep the fat.
Which leads to... eating too little also slows your metabolism.
So... if you don't eat enough, the body keeps hold of the energy (fat) it has saved specifically for when you don't eat enough?0 -
I think if you follow the doctor's advice of eating more protein, you'll see results in your blood work.
This alone, lowers your carb intake - at least it does for me. I try to eat at least 25% or more of my calories from protein.
I also have been eating a net of almost 2000 calories and I'm dropping weight.
If you don't eat enough food in general, your body will hold on to it's energy sources (fat) because it does not know when it's next meal is coming. In order to get energy, it will start to burn that much needed muscle and keep the fat.
Which leads to... eating too little also slows your metabolism.
So... if you don't eat enough, the body keeps hold of the energy (fat) it has saved specifically for when you don't eat enough?
yes, and don't forget about starvation mode...you want to avoid that at all costs, so eat six times a day!0 -
I had some bld wk done because I can't seem to lose weight. Instead I keep gaining and it's really frustrating. So, she suspects sugar is the problem and wants me to cut it out for a month as well as only eat 1200-1500 calories a day and more of a low carb/high protein ratio. It's gonna be so hard for me.
get a new Dr...
overeating makes you gain and/or lose weight...not sugar consumption..if you eat sugar in a caloric deficit you will lose weight..unless of course you have some underlying medical condition that we are not aware of?
Hormone imbalances can also make someone gain and/or lose weight as well.
OP: Did the doctor actually show you the results of your blood work? Did they tell you what your sugar level was and what it should be? What else did he/she test for? Did they do a full panel which would include your hormone levels, blood cell counts, vitamin D levels, T3 and T4's, total thyroid, cholesterol etc. etc. etc.? There could be a plethora of reasons as to why you're gaining weight and sugar might not be any of them.0 -
I did a trial on me months ago - without changing anything to my diet other than adding a spoon of sugar in my coffee in the morning - I gained 1 lb per day !!! 12 days = 12 lbs! - I choose not to eat anything with sugar including Stevia ,
SUGAR IS EVIL !
How big was that spoon?0 -
OP, as you have already noticed, there is a great deal of trollers on these blogs that are pro-sugar bullies with pretty vitriolic and low-brow statements to throw out the "sugar is bad for you" argument, or without the recognition that there is a wide range of medical afflictions or dispositions.
Let's look at the facts: you mentioned you did some blood work and reviewed it with doctor, where doctor then recommended sugar-free diet. You did not disclose what your blood work was, and what in it led the doctor to make recommendations. So, not sure why the bully bloggers are suggesting your doctor is an idiot. And worse, suggesting that you against your doctors advice.
You are doing the right thing by getting data (I.e. Blood work) and reviewing with a doctor, whereby that is followed with data analysis, root cause analysis, hypothesis generation and testing solutions based on data (and not random advice on a public forum, rife with trollers, bullies and possibly malfeasant hidden agendas).
Take care of yourself, and good luck.0 -
Well, there is evidence that suggests excessive sugar, specifically fructose, intake can lead to increased visceral adiposity or abdominal fat. Not sure how it coorilates if someone is in a caloric deficit though...0
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OP, as you have already noticed, there is a great deal of trollers on these blogs that are pro-sugar bullies with pretty vitriolic and low-brow statements to throw out the "sugar is bad for you" argument, or without the recognition that there is a wide range of medical afflictions or dispositions.
Let's look at the facts: you mentioned you did some blood work and reviewed it with doctor, where doctor then recommended sugar-free diet. You did not disclose what your blood work was, and what in it led the doctor to make recommendations. So, not sure why the bully bloggers are suggesting your doctor is an idiot. And worse, suggesting that you against your doctors advice.
You are doing the right thing by getting data (I.e. Blood work) and reviewing with a doctor, whereby that is followed with data analysis, root cause analysis, hypothesis generation and testing solutions based on data (and not random advice on a public forum, rife with trollers, bullies and possibly malfeasant hidden agendas).
Take care of yourself, and good luck.
all the OP said is that her dr recommended NO sugar for a month...seems a little extreme to me...and the OP never said what results of said blood test were....
but we are all bullies for posting in a public thread that OP decided to post in...got ya...0 -
OP, as you have already noticed, there is a great deal of trollers on these blogs that are pro-sugar bullies with pretty vitriolic and low-brow statements to throw out the "sugar is bad for you" argument, or without the recognition that there is a wide range of medical afflictions or dispositions.
Let's look at the facts: you mentioned you did some blood work and reviewed it with doctor, where doctor then recommended sugar-free diet. You did not disclose what your blood work was, and what in it led the doctor to make recommendations. So, not sure why the bully bloggers are suggesting your doctor is an idiot. And worse, suggesting that you against your doctors advice.
You are doing the right thing by getting data (I.e. Blood work) and reviewing with a doctor, whereby that is followed with data analysis, root cause analysis, hypothesis generation and testing solutions based on data (and not random advice on a public forum, rife with trollers, bullies and possibly malfeasant hidden agendas).
Take care of yourself, and good luck.
TL;DR...
...but sugar is bad, right?
I mean, *added* sugar and *processed* sugar...and not *fruit* sugar...because fruit is good...
...right?0 -
OP, as you have already noticed, there is a great deal of trollers on these blogs that are pro-sugar bullies with pretty vitriolic and low-brow statements to throw out the "sugar is bad for you" argument, or without the recognition that there is a wide range of medical afflictions or dispositions.
Let's look at the facts: you mentioned you did some blood work and reviewed it with doctor, where doctor then recommended sugar-free diet. You did not disclose what your blood work was, and what in it led the doctor to make recommendations. So, not sure why the bully bloggers are suggesting your doctor is an idiot. And worse, suggesting that you against your doctors advice.
You are doing the right thing by getting data (I.e. Blood work) and reviewing with a doctor, whereby that is followed with data analysis, root cause analysis, hypothesis generation and testing solutions based on data (and not random advice on a public forum, rife with trollers, bullies and possibly malfeasant hidden agendas).
Take care of yourself, and good luck.
TL;DR...
...but sugar is bad, right?
I mean, *added* sugar and *processed* sugar...and not *fruit* sugar...because fruit is good...
...right?
I think you have it backwards...added and processed good...fruit sugar - bad...0 -
I would get a second opinion. I don't track sugar and have lost 125lbs in 16 months. I don't get what sugar even has to do with it.I had some bld wk done because I can't seem to lose weight. Instead I keep gaining and it's really frustrating. So, she suspects sugar is the problem and wants me to cut it out for a month as well as only eat 1200-1500 calories a day and more of a low carb/high protein ratio. It's gonna be so hard for me.
Ya know, EVERY person is different. You must not have Metabolic disorder. Congratulations, you were just fat because you over ate.
Maybe she has Metabolic disorder and if this is the case (which seems to be the theory the Dr is testing) then the OP is not you and the same rules don't apply.
I get so sick of hearing what someone else did. Congratulations to you. It doesn't Effing work for all of us that way when there are medical issues going on.0 -
I don't have processed sugar in my diet. Not since 2005. Sugar is the reason for your weight gain. It's evil but so yummy!
When I first cut sugar I lost 20 pounds in a month.
You lost weight because you cut calories. Eat spoonfulls of sugar all day, stay under your maintenance calories an you will still lose.
Not necessarily the case if Metabolic Disorder is the theory the Dr is testing.0 -
didn't read the whole thread but remember that cutting out sugar could account for weight loss EVEN IF THERE IS NO CHANGE in daily net calories. a steady intake of sugar almost always has a good supply of water involved, and so weight lost during a sugar-fast is not necessarily fat, but more likely water, especially at first, and especially with inflammation issues already going on.0
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didn't read the whole thread but remember that cutting out sugar could account for weight loss EVEN IF THERE IS NO CHANGE in daily net calories. a steady intake of sugar almost always has a good supply of water involved, and so weight lost during a sugar-fast is not necessarily fat, but more likely water, especially at first, and especially with inflammation issues already going on.
let me get this right..
person A eats in 500 calorie deficit and consumes moderate amount of sugar...
Person A then eats in 500 calorie deficit and consumes almost no sugar...
But the 500 calorie deficit with less sugar is superior and will result in more weight loss?0 -
didn't read the whole thread but remember that cutting out sugar could account for weight loss EVEN IF THERE IS NO CHANGE in daily net calories. a steady intake of sugar almost always has a good supply of water involved, and so weight lost during a sugar-fast is not necessarily fat, but more likely water, especially at first, and especially with inflammation issues already going on.
let me get this right..
person A eats in 500 calorie deficit and consumes moderate amount of sugar...
Person A then eats in 500 calorie deficit and consumes almost no sugar...
But the 500 calorie deficit with less sugar is superior and will result in more weight loss?
In the case of someone having any hormonal disorders, metabolic disorders (Which Type 2 diabetes, thyroid, PCOS all fall into both of these realms) cutting out sugar and keeping calories constant will make a difference.0 -
didn't read the whole thread but remember that cutting out sugar could account for weight loss EVEN IF THERE IS NO CHANGE in daily net calories. a steady intake of sugar almost always has a good supply of water involved, and so weight lost during a sugar-fast is not necessarily fat, but more likely water, especially at first, and especially with inflammation issues already going on.
let me get this right..
person A eats in 500 calorie deficit and consumes moderate amount of sugar...
Person A then eats in 500 calorie deficit and consumes almost no sugar...
But the 500 calorie deficit with less sugar is superior and will result in more weight loss?
In the case of someone having any hormonal disorders, metabolic disorders (Which Type 2 diabetes, thyroid, PCOS all fall into both of these realms) cutting out sugar and keeping calories constant will make a difference.
sigh - my example assumes no medical condition..I forgot to include the disclaimer..geez0 -
So the post asking how to make it for so long without sugar during the holidays turned into a:
Sugar is bad!
No, it's good!
No it's bad!
Eating at a deficit is good!
No, it's bad!
It worked for me!
No it didn't, you're stupid!
I have a medical condition
No you don't you're stupid!
Debate without knowing anything about what sort of blood work the OP had done, what the results are and why the doctor has told her this.
Well done MFP. Well done.0 -
You could be eating less calories, but if what you're eating spikes your insulin levels, in some people it will throw their hormone levels off. Women with PCOS for example, if they want any chance of losing weight, have to eat like a diabetic (no sugar and no white flour) You won't lose weight otherwise. I would know. I have struggled with PCOS for years. And I control the symptoms (weight gain, infertility, etc.) by NOT eating sugar. A calorie is not a calorie. Different compounds have different effects on your body.
You may want to get tested for PCOS actually if you're eating reduced calories but not losing weight. As soon as I cut out sugar and flour, the weight literally fell off (and I had been trying to lose weight for a long time!)
Here is the link again if anybody wants to watch it. It's a 90 minute lecture by an accredited doctor, professor, and researcher talking about why sugar is so bad for you. LOL and why the food industry doesn't give a **** about what they're putting in their products and how it affects people, just as long as people crave more of it and go out and buy it.
At least do your research before you make claims on what's good for you and what isn't!
And it may clear up some questions. It's very interesting actually.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM 0 -
Sugar is not evil.
If you have a specific medical condition that means no added sugars or whatever, congratulations, follow your doctor's advice and keep yourself healthy.
For everyone else, sugar is not evil. You can have it. Just keep within your calories and keep within good macro and micro nutrients, and you should lose weight and feel better and possibly, just possibly, be happier because you didn't have to deprive yourself - you just had to regulate yourself a bit.
OP: some people were asking good questions that you should think about asking your physician to ensure you are fully understanding and implementing his or her advice and that it is advice coming from a good, knowledgeable place (some doctors will buy into the 'no added sugars' hysteria because it's so vogue).0 -
So the post asking how to make it for so long without sugar during the holidays turned into a:
Sugar is bad!
No, it's good!
No it's bad!
Eating at a deficit is good!
No, it's bad!
It worked for me!
No it didn't, you're stupid!
I have a medical condition
No you don't you're stupid!
Debate without knowing anything about what sort of blood work the OP had done, what the results are and why the doctor has told her this.
Well done MFP. Well done.
Do you have a problem with that?
And you can now add.....
A calorie is not a calorie.
Yes it is.
Here is the link again if anybody wants to watch it. It's a 90 minute lecture by an accredited doctor, professor, and researcher talking about why sugar is so bad for you. LOL and why the food industry doesn't give a **** about what they're putting in their products and how it affects people, just as long as people crave more of it and go out and buy it.
At least do your research before you make claims on what's good for you and what isn't!
And it may clear up some questions. It's very interesting actually.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM
OK, this is the 2nd time this link has been posted in this thread.
What is the matter with you people?
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