Going off sugar

Holly_Roman_Empire

I've been trying to eliminate sugar from my diet almost completely. This is because of skin issues, sleep issues, joint and weight issues that I've developed over the years and I feel like my diet is mostly to blame. I've allowed exceptions for fruit, creamer and stevia in my coffee and 85% dark chocolate/unsweetened cocoa powder. But I'm finding sources of sugar in nearly everything!!! Bread, energy bars, yogurt, cereal- you name it!! Does anyone know how to make this kind of lifestyle sustainable over a long period of time?? I've been snacking on foods like almonds, nut butter, fruit, popcorn with olive oil, eggs, cheese melts on tortillas, etc. I'm on day 3. Day 1 and 2 were mostly learning experiences though because I realized the granola bars and yogurt I ate had high levels of sugar.

On a side note, I just started training for a Tough Mudder and want to make sure my body is properly nourished for workouts. I'm very much out of shape right now, but I'm hoping that will change and plan on exercising approximately five days a week.

I realize that others have made topics about this, so I apologize if it's repetitive. It's new for me! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

Also, I'll make my diary public so people can give me more accurate information.

Just a few questions.

1. You said you feel like your diet is to blame for these skin, joint, weight, and sleep issues you have. As in you're not sure. Since what you listed can be considered medical issues, why haven't you gone to your doctor to see if your diet truly is to blame? This is an extreme diet change based on something you're not 100% sure about.

2. Why have you focused on sugar as the culprit?

I'm curious about this, too. What skin issues are you having?

Sovi_

It's not sustainable. Like, at all.

I think you're right.

Holly_Roman_Empire

Okay, so after reading all the replies, the OP is misleading. She says she's going of sugar, but she's not really going off sugar.

I said it's not sustainable because sugar is in virtually everything. Besides all the usual things you think of like cookies and candies, there's milk, honey, cream, fruit, and practically everything that comes in a jar, can, or box. If you really tried to cut out all sugar, I say good luck.

Not misleading you just didn't read the whole op statement.

Go on admit it - you're among friends ????

I read the whole thing. She said she was trying to eliminate sugar from her diet almost completely because of health issues. The subject of the thread is "Going off sugar." I interpreted her goal to mean that she has eliminated sugar almost completely, but plans on "going off sugar."

tennisdude2004

Okay, so after reading all the replies, the OP is misleading. She says she's going of sugar, but she's not really going off sugar.

I said it's not sustainable because sugar is in virtually everything. Besides all the usual things you think of like cookies and candies, there's milk, honey, cream, fruit, and practically everything that comes in a jar, can, or box. If you really tried to cut out all sugar, I say good luck.

Not misleading you just didn't read the whole op statement.

Go on admit it - you're among friends ????

I read the whole thing. She said she was trying to eliminate sugar from her diet almost completely because of health issues. The subject of the thread is "Going off sugar." I interpreted her goal to mean that she has eliminated sugar almost completely, but plans on "going off sugar."

????

Cheechos

OP: Check out low carb diets like keto, paleo/primal, Atkins, LCHF, etc. You can find good recipes and creative swap out foods for high carb/sugary foods on the wide variety of information websites about each of those things.

Holly_Roman_Empire

Okay, so after reading all the replies, the OP is misleading. She says she's going of sugar, but she's not really going off sugar.

I said it's not sustainable because sugar is in virtually everything. Besides all the usual things you think of like cookies and candies, there's milk, honey, cream, fruit, and practically everything that comes in a jar, can, or box. If you really tried to cut out all sugar, I say good luck.

Not misleading you just didn't read the whole op statement.

Go on admit it - you're among friends ????

I read the whole thing. She said she was trying to eliminate sugar from her diet almost completely because of health issues. The subject of the thread is "Going off sugar." I interpreted her goal to mean that she has eliminated sugar almost completely, but plans on "going off sugar."

????

Not sure what you're saying here. All I see is a little square.

tennisdude2004

Okay, so after reading all the replies, the OP is misleading. She says she's going of sugar, but she's not really going off sugar.

I said it's not sustainable because sugar is in virtually everything. Besides all the usual things you think of like cookies and candies, there's milk, honey, cream, fruit, and practically everything that comes in a jar, can, or box. If you really tried to cut out all sugar, I say good luck.

Not misleading you just didn't read the whole op statement.

Go on admit it - you're among friends ????

I read the whole thing. She said she was trying to eliminate sugar from her diet almost completely because of health issues. The subject of the thread is "Going off sugar." I interpreted her goal to mean that she has eliminated sugar almost completely, but plans on "going off sugar."

????

Not sure what you're saying here. All I see is a little square.

It's a friendly smile.

michellewelch2010

Unless you are dead set on creamer, switch to milk...
You can find sugar-free bread
Make your own homemade protein bars with protein powder and no sugar added
Make your own granola bars
Check out the specialty departments in your grocery store or health food store for sugar free products but look for products sweetened with natural sweeteners.

I don't buy pre-packaged foods. If you want, check out my diary. My staples are plain greek yogurt, eggs, chicken, lean ground turkey, vegetables, fruit, squashes, long grained rice, couscous, coconut oil, balsamic vinegar, salsa and stevia. Sugar free for over a month, besides a "cheat day" for a work event.

My snacks involve fruit, plain yogurt with fruit & stevia, hard boiled eggs, veggies.

You're not really sugar free then, are you.

The OP asked for advice on cutting out sugars. ADDED (keyword is ADDED) sugars are not in my meal plan, they are a once in a while thing when I decide to have desert at a restaurant. I lived this way for 2 years and I felt amazing with tons of energy, fell off the wagon for 1.5 years and felt like I was run over by a truck. I'm not telling you to live without sugar, but some people do decide for health reasons (insulin resistance, PCOS, etc) to cut out all added sugars and limit their sugars to ones that occur in food naturally.

David_AUS

If I read this right you are looking at eliminating "added sugar" - IE: Processed sugar. I believe this is to a large degree achievable.

Yoghurts: Select natural / greek yoghurts - (the sugars in these are from milk mainly Lactose at 3.2%)
Bread: Find either a good local baker or just make your own
Energy Bars: IMHO - forget them and pack snack pots of mixed nuts instead

You may not eliminate entirely but there are ways around most items, there are some items like donuts, cakes, biscuits etc.... that you may need to consider making yourself or buying with "natural sweeteners" like Stevia - even Stevia you need to be careful as some processors use Dextrose (I think) to cut it down which is a processed sugar.

mamma_nee

It's not sustainable. Like, at all.

How is it not sustainable? People don't NEED sugar. It's not an essential nutrient. It should be eaten in moderation. However some people due to health reasons need to eliminate it from their diets.

X2
Sugar is the one nutrient your body does need any of .

kjwillie

Okay, so after reading all the replies, the OP is misleading. She says she's going of sugar, but she's not really going off sugar.

I said it's not sustainable because sugar is in virtually everything. Besides all the usual things you think of like cookies and candies, there's milk, honey, cream, fruit, and practically everything that comes in a jar, can, or box. If you really tried to cut out all sugar, I say good luck.

Not misleading you just didn't read the whole op statement.

Go on admit it - you're among friends ????

I read the whole thing. She said she was trying to eliminate sugar from her diet almost completely because of health issues. The subject of the thread is "Going off sugar." I interpreted her goal to mean that she has eliminated sugar almost completely, but plans on "going off sugar."

????

Not sure what you're saying here. All I see is a little square.

It's a friendly smile.

Ok, I'm sorry if I sounded misleading at all!! I guess I meant ADDED sugars. I want to try to stick to natural sugars as my body seems to react negatively to processed foods. That means milk, plain yogurt, fruit, the tiny amounts in cheese and veggies,etc. Whole foods. I'm looking at things like bread, pasta, dressing and sauces which all have hidden sugars in them and replacing them with healthier substitutes.

Holly_Roman_Empire

It's not sustainable. Like, at all.

How is it not sustainable? People don't NEED sugar. It's not an essential nutrient. It should be eaten in moderation. However some people due to health reasons need to eliminate it from their diets.

X2
Sugar is the one nutrient your body does need any of .

I never claimed for it to be needed. I believe the OP was asking an opinion on whether it was sustainable or not (something which is going to differ person to person), and I simply gave mine.