Sugar-Lets be honest!

smarterthanyoda

The problem is, the USDA guidelines are for added sugars, not naturally occurring sugars. By including the sugars from fruit in the sugar totals, MFP is really comparing apples and oranges.

It's true that sugars in fruit aren't very different than other sugar. But, it's the largest source of naturally occurring sugar for most people. Not counting sugar from fruit is a good way to estimate the true amount of added sugar you're getting.

SergeantSunshine_reused

I dont understand what my calorie deficit has to do with my sugar intake? Too much sugar whether from fruit or a candy bar cant be good for you and those limitations have been put there for a reason. Obviously fruit is better than a candy bar because fruit has much more nutritional value but too much sugar from either cant be good.

You will lose weight in a calorie deficit no matter what your sugar intake is. Sugar itself has no nutritional value, it is just a carbohydrate and a source of energy. But there are good sources. Milk and fruit for example. So much benefit. Fiber and vitamins and delicious.

Added sugars can just be empty calories. Which is why those sugars are better to limit; you aren't really getting all that much out of foods high in added sugar (for the most part)

SergeantSunshine_reused

Well the problem on going over on sugar is if you have left over sugar that your body cant use for energy it's going to store it as fat and that defeats the whole purpose.

Complete nonsense. It will not be stored as fat. Where do some of you folks get this stuff from? Dr Oz right?

Apparently Joe. :grumble:

CoryIda

Well, let's see.

I don't track sugar and never have (disclaimer: I don't have diabetes or pre-diabetes - if you do, you probably need to be aware of it).

I do, however, eat a lot of fruit. At least one banana (often 2) each day. A large Granny Smith apple every day. Lots and lots of baby carrots (3+ servings every day). I drink original almond milk, which has sugar. I eat bread, which has sugar.

I don't eat a lot of added or refined sugar, except for an occasional treat.

I have shed 109 pounds since mid September 2010. I've dropped my body fat from 56% to 22%.

I'm going to say that consuming sugar really didn't "hinder" my weight loss.

Ashbee1224

All I know is of the lil reading I've done on it here and there which is why I posted the topic. Im down with sugar, just think too much isnt good. It seemed people were in denial that just because it's from fruit it's ok to go over by no matter how much.

Thanks for all the responses!

joejccva71

People blow this sugar thing way out of proportion. No one is saying open a bag of Domino pure cane sugar and down it. Stop OCD'ing about the most trivial crap. Seriously.

Things you should be worrying about more than sugar.
- Not being overweight
- Doing some exercise
- Eating a well balanced diet
- Not making threads about sugar

SergeantSunshine_reused

Well, let's see.

I don't track sugar and never have (disclaimer: I don't have diabetes or pre-diabetes - if you do, you probably need to be aware of it).

I do, however, eat a lot of fruit. At least one banana (often 2) each day. A large Granny Smith apple every day. Lots and lots of baby carrots (3+ servings every day). I drink original almond milk, which has sugar. I eat bread, which has sugar.

I don't eat a lot of added or refined sugar, except for an occasional treat.

I have shed 109 pounds since mid September 2010. I've dropped my body fat from 56% to 22%.

I'm going to say that consuming sugar really didn't "hinder" my weight loss.

Congrats!! Such good sources :]

I have dropped my body fat from about 27 to 20% (havent had it tested in a while)
Lots and lots of fruit for me and dairy. But that can't be healthy right?! So much sugar

_GlaDOS_

All I know is of the lil reading I've done on it here and there which is why I posted the topic. Im down with sugar, just think too much isnt good. It seemed people were in denial that just because it's from fruit it's ok to go over by no matter how much.

Thanks for all the responses!

I don't know what you read, but it was incorrect. I encourage you to read the link I posted above earlier.

liftingbro

and to reply to that person about sugar is just a carbohydrate, yes it is but not all carbs are created equal. there are high gi and low gi carbs, you'd best stick with low gi since it wont spike your insulin levels. insulin promotes muscle breakdown and fat storage. not a good combination

Actually, insulin is an anabolic hormone and actually can increase muscle mass but increased insulin can also mean increased fat storage.

Also, the GI thing makes little difference to most people unless you happen to have some level of insulin resistance which most people do not.

SergeantSunshine_reused

All I know is of the lil reading I've done on it here and there which is why I posted the topic. Im down with sugar, just think too much isnt good. It seemed people were in denial that just because it's from fruit it's ok to go over by no matter how much.

Thanks for all the responses!

Keep doing your research :]

Im in my third year of dietetics.... this was talked about first semester first year xD

kennethmgreen

If only Pixy Stix had vitamins.

neanderthin

Well, let's see.

I don't track sugar and never have (disclaimer: I don't have diabetes or pre-diabetes - if you do, you probably need to be aware of it).

I do, however, eat a lot of fruit. At least one banana (often 2) each day. A large Granny Smith apple every day. Lots and lots of baby carrots (3+ servings every day). I drink original almond milk, which has sugar. I eat bread, which has sugar.

I don't eat a lot of added or refined sugar, except for an occasional treat.

I have shed 109 pounds since mid September 2010. I've dropped my body fat from 56% to 22%.

I'm going to say that consuming sugar really didn't "hinder" my weight loss.

Just wanted to say.......Great transformation, good for you.

hcf006

Well that Dr. Oz comment was kinda rude.....its called research

BigDaddyBRC

I am diabetic and I promise you, sugar is sugar!

This is statement is ignorant. FOR BLOOD GLUCOSE, SUGAR IS SUGAR. As a Diebetic, you should know THIS is taking it out of context. The question isnt about what affects your Glucose. And dont question my basis or background....I've done PLENTY of research having lost my wife to diebetes Type 1.

Now, as for Refined and unrefined sugars...SIMPLY PUT: Raw sugar contains roughly eleven calories per teaspoon and has the same vitamin and mineral consistency that is found in the juice from the sugarcane plant. These minerals include Phosphorus, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, and Potassium. when sugar is refined and processed there are many harmful ingredients that are added to the sugar as a result. Unrefined raw sugar does not have these harmful chemicals. Some of these include: Phosphoric Acid, Sulfur Dioxide, and Formic Acid.

So if you believe Sugar is Sugar...enjoy rasing the Acid levels in your body.

2Bgoddess

I have a theory. I know that I got fat from eating too much fat. But I believe that eating too much sugar is what has KEPT me fat, even when I began exercising and counting calories. I believe that because my sugar intake was a bit on the high side, there was always readily available energy to burn, so my body did not bother breaking down any of my stored fat to be used as energy.

Now that I am really really really keeping my sugar intake low, the weight is coming off, I think because my body has to burn the fat to provide the energy.

re: sugar is sugar>> without a doubt, if you are diabetic, it matters not if it is a square of chocolate or a bowl of strawberries. sugar is sugar. and dangerous.

kennethmgreen

The problem is, the USDA guidelines are for added sugars, not naturally occurring sugars. By including the sugars from fruit in the sugar totals, MFP is really comparing apples and oranges.

I see what you did there.

SergeantSunshine_reused

I have a theory. I know that I got fat from eating too much fat. But I believe that eating too much sugar is what has KEPT me fat, even when I began exercising and counting calories. I believe that because my sugar intake was a bit on the high side, there was always readily available energy to burn, so my body did not bother breaking down any of my stored fat to be used as energy.

Now that I am really really really keeping my sugar intake low, the weight is coming off, I think because my body has to burn the fat to provide the energy.

re: sugar is sugar>> without a doubt, if you are diabetic, it matters not if it is a square of chocolate or a bowl of strawberries. sugar is sugar. and dangerous.

You got fat from eating too many calories. No single macro makes you fat.

I also looked at your diary. You think that lowering sugar helped you lose weight? Not that you are eating 700-800 calories a day?

Hmm.

Uerzer

You got fat from eating too many calories. No single macro makes you fat.

I also looked at your diary. You think that lowering sugar helped you lose weight? Not that you are eating 700-800 calories a day?

Hmm.

i just gotta love what dietists have to say ^^

Crawflowr

The vitamins in most fruit is overrated, most only have Vit C and you can get all the body needs in a day from one fifth of a red pepper. Fruit has evolved to be attractive to animals as a way for plants distributing their seeds. They are all about advertising, a bright colour and bit of sugar to sweeten the deal, but there is no advantage to the plant to pack them full of any real nutrients that the plant needs for its own growth. Vegetables have all the good vitamins.

chevy88grl

I eat fruit.

I eat cookies.

I've lost 60lbs and have kept it off.


For me, sugar is sugar and clearly my body isn't bothered by it. I've gone from a size 18/20 pants to a size 8/10 pants.


Sugar isn't the root of all evil - just like fat isn't the root of all evil. Moderation is key, people.

The "diet" industry (those people who want you to buy their products to lose weight) will tell you anything you wanna hear to make you believe something is "horrible" and to avoid it. Honestly.

sunkisses

Sugar is my favorite food group.

Ashbee1224

Ive listented to everything that everyone here has said, but unlike you they havn't been rude or derogatory with an all knowing attitude, the way you put things is just not an acceptable way to speak to someone you don't know.

liftingbro

I have a theory. I know that I got fat from eating too much fat. But I believe that eating too much sugar is what has KEPT me fat, even when I began exercising and counting calories. I believe that because my sugar intake was a bit on the high side, there was always readily available energy to burn, so my body did not bother breaking down any of my stored fat to be used as energy.

Now that I am really really really keeping my sugar intake low, the weight is coming off, I think because my body has to burn the fat to provide the energy.

re: sugar is sugar>> without a doubt, if you are diabetic, it matters not if it is a square of chocolate or a bowl of strawberries. sugar is sugar. and dangerous.

Reads this, looks at diary then:

Uerzer

Moderation is key, people.

That!
And doing what MFP app tells you to do... the rest is just optional :laugh: (even exercise, its healthy and highly recommended but not compulsory)

Scott613

Sugar-Let's be honest!

Sounds like something you'd say when you're about to break up with somebody

LauraMacNCheese

I have a theory. I know that I got fat from eating too much fat. But I believe that eating too much sugar is what has KEPT me fat, even when I began exercising and counting calories. I believe that because my sugar intake was a bit on the high side, there was always readily available energy to burn, so my body did not bother breaking down any of my stored fat to be used as energy.

Now that I am really really really keeping my sugar intake low, the weight is coming off, I think because my body has to burn the fat to provide the energy.

re: sugar is sugar>> without a doubt, if you are diabetic, it matters not if it is a square of chocolate or a bowl of strawberries. sugar is sugar. and dangerous.

Reads this, looks at diary then:

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Jolenebib

I guess it depends on what you mean by "sugar." Sucrose is sucrose and fructose is fructose, etc. There's still research being done on whether or not highly processed (refined) sugars like HFCS actually get shunted to the liver without being broken down. The theory being that the subsequent process would then prompt insulin resistance.

It'll be interesting to see how future research comes along.

Actually sucrose is composed of two sugars, fructose and glucose.

Uerzer

Somebody asked for opinions, we all got opinions (some of those actually are facts).

If you have your own theories and never studied physiology or w/e, feel free to compare them with some reliable sources before thinking they are facts!

Uerzer

I guess it depends on what you mean by "sugar." Sucrose is sucrose and fructose is fructose, etc. There's still research being done on whether or not highly processed (refined) sugars like HFCS actually get shunted to the liver without being broken down. The theory being that the subsequent process would then prompt insulin resistance.

It'll be interesting to see how future research comes along.

Actually sucrose is composed of two sugars, fructose and glucose.

And it all ends becoming ATP! :bigsmile:

joejccva71

You got fat from eating too many calories. No single macro makes you fat.

I also looked at your diary. You think that lowering sugar helped you lose weight? Not that you are eating 700-800 calories a day?

Hmm.

i just gotta love what dietists have to say ^^

Is there something wrong with what was said? *confused*