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Always over sugar content

Samantha1941
Samantha1941 Posts: 99 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I am always over on my sugar content, not because I eat a lot of sweets but just because the gram or 2 from each food adds up. I am a vegan,I am looking for ideas for snacks that aren't full of sugar. my snacks right now are apples with peanut butter, almonds, cucumbers and bellpeppers with hummus and thats about it. I love mojo bars, luna bars and bananas but they have so much sugar. Does anyone have any tips??

Thank you!

Replies

  • I have this problem too, I'm always over on sugar. Fruit seems to be packed full of sugar :o(
  • gp79
    gp79 Posts: 1,799 Member
    I wouldn't be too overly concerned with being over on your sugar. It's not like you're eating zebra cakes and ding dong's. Are you still meeting your calorie goals?
  • gp79
    gp79 Posts: 1,799 Member
    I have this problem too, I'm always over on sugar. Fruit seems to be packed full of sugar :o(

    Turn that frown upside down...why the bad rap on sugar? Especially from fruit. A calorie is a calorie. You'd be better off focusing on hitting your protein and fat intakes than tracking your sugar.
  • monkeydharma
    monkeydharma Posts: 599 Member
    I have this problem too, I'm always over on sugar. Fruit seems to be packed full of sugar :o(

    Turn that frown upside down...why the bad rap on sugar? Especially from fruit. A calorie is a calorie. You'd be better off focusing on hitting your protein and fat intakes than tracking your sugar.

    No, she is right to track sugar. It's more than just the calorie issue - sugar is also at the root of many health issues.

    Looking over the examples provided, I'd suggest:

    - most commercial PBs have a lot of added sugar. Make your own PB in a food processor, or buy a no-sugar-added PB.
    - look up the grams of sugar per half-cup on the various fruits you eat; then stick to those on the low end of the scale. Berries are low in sugar/high in anti-oxidants; bananas OTOH are mostly starch and fruit and should be minimized.
    - granola bars are made with a lot of sugar. Find a good recipe and again - make them at home where you can control the amount of sugar.

    I'd say boost your fat and protein percentages - as a vegan, you'll have to figure out how to do that without the easy solution of meat.
  • Samantha1941
    Samantha1941 Posts: 99 Member
    Yes I'll be under my calories and still over sugar. I do make sure to get peanutbutter without sugar, although right now I am noticing my carb intake is too high. Grr
  • darlilama
    darlilama Posts: 794 Member
    I have this problem too, I'm always over on sugar. Fruit seems to be packed full of sugar :o(

    Turn that frown upside down...why the bad rap on sugar? Especially from fruit. A calorie is a calorie. You'd be better off focusing on hitting your protein and fat intakes than tracking your sugar.

    No, she is right to track sugar. It's more than just the calorie issue - sugar is also at the root of many health issues.

    Looking over the examples provided, I'd suggest:

    - most commercial PBs have a lot of added sugar. Make your own PB in a food processor, or buy a no-sugar-added PB.
    - look up the grams of sugar per half-cup on the various fruits you eat; then stick to those on the low end of the scale. Berries are low in sugar/high in anti-oxidants; bananas OTOH are mostly starch and fruit and should be minimized.
    - granola bars are made with a lot of sugar. Find a good recipe and again - make them at home where you can control the amount of sugar.

    I'd say boost your fat and protein percentages - as a vegan, you'll have to figure out how to do that without the easy solution of meat.

    ^^ Pretty much agree. A calorie is NOT a calorie. Quality of food counts, too. "Empty" calories are called that for a reason. Fruit, particularly fresh fruit, however, is an excellent source of many nutrients, fiber, and yes it does have sugar. I have been told by my doctor to watch my sugar intake, as Type II diabetes occurs in both sides of my family (both weight and non-weight related). But, she expressed it in terms of "added" sugars and encouraged me to eat lots of fruits and veggies… except for pineapple and grapes. She put limits on those (understandably so).
  • gp79
    gp79 Posts: 1,799 Member
    I have this problem too, I'm always over on sugar. Fruit seems to be packed full of sugar :o(

    Turn that frown upside down...why the bad rap on sugar? Especially from fruit. A calorie is a calorie. You'd be better off focusing on hitting your protein and fat intakes than tracking your sugar.

    No, she is right to track sugar. It's more than just the calorie issue - sugar is also at the root of many health issues.

    Looking over the examples provided, I'd suggest:

    - most commercial PBs have a lot of added sugar. Make your own PB in a food processor, or buy a no-sugar-added PB.
    - look up the grams of sugar per half-cup on the various fruits you eat; then stick to those on the low end of the scale. Berries are low in sugar/high in anti-oxidants; bananas OTOH are mostly starch and fruit and should be minimized.
    - granola bars are made with a lot of sugar. Find a good recipe and again - make them at home where you can control the amount of sugar.

    I'd say boost your fat and protein percentages - as a vegan, you'll have to figure out how to do that without the easy solution of meat.

    I've never heard of folks getting fat from eating fruit, regardless of type. You get fat from eating a surplus of calories. Obviously, if you are genetically prone to diabetes, that's a different story but the OP didn't say a thing about it. Therefore I stand my ground, It's more beneficial to ensure you're hitting your protein and fat intakes instead of worrying about a little extra sugar consumed from fruit or an occasional dessert.

    .8g - 1g protein per lb of body weight and .35 - .4g fat per lb of body weight is a good starting point.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member


    I've never heard of folks getting fat from eating fruit, regardless of type. You get fat from eating a surplus of calories. Obviously, if you are genetically prone to diabetes, that's a different story but the OP didn't say a thing about it. Therefore I stand my ground, It's more beneficial to ensure you're hitting your protein and fat intakes instead of worrying about a little extra sugar consumed from fruit or an occasional dessert.

    .8g - 1g protein per lb of body weight and .35 - .4g fat per lb of body weight is a good starting point.

    ^ This.

    Obviously one should concern themselves with nutrient density to a point. If your main source of carbs is Snickers™ then you probably will have health concerns. But in the presence of a varied diet and without any insulin issues or diabetic predispositions, it's really a non-issue.
  • ^This

    I eat 1 cup of strawberries, some grapes and a banana and I'm over.
This discussion has been closed.