Sugar Intake

zydratethief

Does anyone have any tips on how to reduce sugar intake?

I find myself going over MFP's allowance everyday!

I dont take sugar in my tea or coffee, nor do i habitually eat chocolates, hence all my sugar comes from natural sources (fruits, the occasional glass of fruit juice and maybe a snack or cereal bar)

I find my energy levels sort of crash ( Im sure i am not diabetic, ive tested myself at various times at home), but i think its also what makes me feel hungry at times

Is it something i should be worried about?

mizzmorales89

I'm interested in this one also. I haven't figured this one out. I have trouble going over my sugar also. It seems like a really low daily amount.

carmen62

Ladyrushell asked the same thing a couple of days ago and there are lots of replies you may want to look for. I posted this to her query:

"Sugar will make your blood sugars spike and you will drop quickly, hence the craving.

Firstly, apply everyone else's suggestions to cut back. Try weaning yourself down.

It is important to have regular meals and snacks spaced so your blood sugars don't plunge, making you vulnerable to a pig out.

Get some complex carbs into your diet. Fruit and vegis, wholewheat, grains, legumes., oatmeal... The complex carbs release more slowly,avoiding the drop in blood sugar.

If you are really hooked on sugar, factor in peach, cherries, plum, some really nice, sweet fruit for the sweet taste. Remember summer fruits like melons generally have more sugar. All fruit is not equal on the sugar front.

Drink water. If you think you are hungry or craving, drink water first to see that your not dehydrated and mixing hunger and thirst cues"

Hope this helps and look up what the others said- all good advice.

carmen62

Also watch for hidden sugar, particularly in pre-packed foods. If your American, your bread even has sugar in it that us foreigners can taste. Opt for clean foods and read labels to go for the healthier choices. takes time I know, but you will get your short list quickly.

MsMonny

Sorry for anyone seeing me again on a sugar post but I just gotta get it out there!!

I am now on a sugar free diet which only has fruit, veg and whats in bread for my sugars. Yes, what MFP has allowed for a daily amount is low BUT it is a healthy low. It allows you to have sugar from fruit etc BUT not fruit juice, cereal bars, packaged cereals (except oats with no added sugar), packaged foods with hidden sugars, condiments with added sugar etc etc.

Read your labels and see what has a higher sugar content. Many low fat foods have a higher sugar content to their full fat versions because when they take out the fat, they add more sugar for the flavour AND then they may add more salt to counteract the sugar!!

I was a sugarholic before and wasn't well because of it (IBS symptoms, tired, putting on weight by the minute, foggy head, forgetful - the list goes on) SO I cut ALL sugar from my diet (except what I listed).....Yes, the first 5 days were hell, but after the headache (it was one loooong headache) went away, I haven't looked back. Actually I had some bbq pork ribs on the weekend and it was made with bbq sauce, tomato sauce etc and I felt ill and headachey the next day due to the sugar content!!

On a very good day I have only had 10g of sugar for the day, sometimes I am 24g, sometimes I am over because I chose to eat 1/2 a mango but I count that as a fruit so I don't panic!! Berries are lower in sugar but are hard to get when it is Winter (its summer here at the moment). I am still working out what is working for me, but I am getting there....it has only been 2 1/2 weeks!!

Good luck in the sugar free way! If you need to ask any other questions, please feel free to send me a message!

:flowerforyou:

TheBun

Got the same problem while I don't take fruit juice anymore, nor cereal bars, prepacked food, ...
My sugar intake is higher than MFP allowances, and it comes from fruit, or dairy (one plain organic yogurt, unsweetened > 8 g of sugar, in fact lactose).

Are these sugars OK, or should I try to reduce fruit and dairy ?

StinaKay

I learned a lot about sugars when my 9 year old daughter was diagnosed with diabetes. As long as you are gaining your sugars from a natural source, such as fruit and whole grains your blood sugar should be stable. Try to avoid white breads, fruit juice, white potatoes and other simple sugars if you are worried about your blood sugar. (If you must have juice, try Healthy Balance by Old Orchard, it only has 6 grams of sugar and is recommended by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.) Most diabetics count carbs in addition to sugars to dose insulin.

A helpful source of info that was given to us by her doctor was to follow the glycemic index. If you google it you can find out what foods are best to eat to maintain blood sugars. It is so hard because there is sugar in everything!

Good luck!