Low Sugar snacks/foods?

lplotkina

Hi all,

A friend of mine on MFP recently commented that her sugar intake was really high. I hadn't been monitoring mine--but her comment made me curious, so I started to. Um--yeah. I'm over by AT LEAST 40 on most days. I haven't had a day where I HAVEN'T been over, in fact.

My problem is snacks. I eat a lot of fruit right now..and calorie controlled granola, cereal...etc. What can I snack on that won't blow my diet out of the water? I have the magic number of 31 to work with, daily.

PS: I know all about the "sugar free" variations. I hate the taste of splenda and other fake sugars.

halp!

randomartisrgirl

I personally don't know how to help you. I have the same problem with sugar intake...

natskedat

If your sugar intake is from processed foods, you might want to eliminate some of your choices. But if your sugars are high because of fresh fruit and complex carbohydrates, and you're losing weight successfully, don't make any modifications. Sugars aren't necessarily bad. They don't all raise your blood sugar the same way, and they don't necessarily all get stored as fat. They are used for energy by your brain and muscles, too.

Again, if you're gaining weight or you've got a sensitivity to sugars, then make some modifications. But if somebody just told you that you've got to watch them because you're over an arbitrary limit, yet you're eating whole, unprocessed foods, I don't see any problem.

To learn more about the function of carbohydrates (sugars and fiber) in our bodies, I wrote a blog post. It might clear up some confusion.
http://fitnesswithnatalie.blogspot.com/2011/06/life-of-carbohydrate.html

monkeydharma

Focus on fresh fruits over dried fruits, and low-sugar fruits (berries, etc.) over high-sugar ones (melons, etc.). Most granolas and bars have added sugar - it's better to snack on some raw nuts instead.

jennehughes

bumping because I could really do with some help on this. Although a fair amount of it's from fruit the rest is making me frustrated (8g in my bran flakes! PSH.) especially as I seem to be reaching the daily target of sugar in each meal! I'm cutting out yoghurt and granola, though, and cutting down on fruit juice and tinned fruit.
I've been eating weight watchers sugar free jelly as a sweet treat but honestly, I'm kinda stuck.. sorry I don't have any suggestions! ):

stanvoodoo

Well fruits are high in sugar but unless you have a sugar issue then it usually isnt a problem.

To lower the levels which out some of the fruits for veggies. Veggies are way more important than fruit.

Best of Luck!

Rae6503

Nuts and cheese!

Rae6503

Nuts and cheese!

lplotkina

Thanks for all the advice, everyone!

My only problem with nuts is that they are hardly filling, and extremely caloric.

I eat very little processed food--but I will definitely try to incorporate more VEGETABLE snacks into my diet. Right now it's kiwis, oranges, and apples. I usually have one of those 90 calories granola bars from quaker so I can feel like I'm "being bad." But I guess I should start getting the sugar free ones if I care that much about eating them..

gf320

Check out the glycemic index!

RangerSteve

Check out the glycemic index!

Don't do this. The glycemic index is completely rendered useless in a mixed food environment. Unless you're eating one type of food all by itself without mixing it with anything else, the index isn't going to be even remotely accurate.


Also, who cares if you're over on your sugar intake? Are you losing weight? Are you eating less calories than you burn off? That's what is important. Don't worry if your sugar intake is high, especially if you're eating fruit and other things of that nature.

brendalyne

Yep....more veggies. And I love to dip them in HUMUS! Yummy.....

alisonbank

i'm bumping this since i'm always having the same problem. i guess i should switch some of my fruits for veggie or protein snacks.


i usually eat one Dannon or Chobani Greek yogurt per day at lunch, but that seems to have a lot of sugar in them. Any suggestions for making the plain yogurt more delicious?

deezyy

put fruit into it! there is sugar in the fruit, but it's better than refined sugar. I did this the other day...tried plain yogurt for the first time in years (I'm used to delicious flavorz), it was weird and tangy. I put some orange slices in it and when I'd bite into the orange the juice would go into the yogurt and then it was tasty. It would probably be even better with strawberries or peach or something.

monkeydharma

Also, who cares if you're over on your sugar intake? Are you losing weight? Are you eating less calories than you burn off? That's what is important. Don't worry if your sugar intake is high, especially if you're eating fruit and other things of that nature.

Excessive sugars plays hell with your insulin response, and eventually leads to insulin resistance (and Type II diabetes). EVERYONE should be paying attention to how much sugar they ingest. It's not necessary to go off the deep end, but as the OP is finding out, most food manufacturers add sweeteners to their products in order to help sell them.