I can't keep my sugar intake low!

Tenoreo90

I'm a self-proclaimed chocoholic, and taking the advice I've found on the internet, I've phased it out slowly and replaced my sweet tooth with fruit and homemade fruit+veggie juice. I'm finding, however, due to the fruit, my sugar intake is still about double what MFP reccommends, and I'm almost positive sugar has been the reason for my weight problem (I've always eaten pretty healthy, except for sugar binges).

How do you all control your sweet cravings, besides fruit and other sugary foods? Help please!

TheFitHooker

If you can't go without chocolate, have you tried sugar free chocolate? Or even Skinny cow? Also might even try toast and nutella if you can do nuts.

TeresaC79

I still go over my sugar intake but with fruit and I'm okay with that.

I'm a super sweet-aholic...cookies, cakes, chocolate...I can't say no. But I just decided, if I'm really going to lose the weight, then I had to stop eating it. period.

fishndad

I agree. If it's with fruit, I'm not too worried. But I found that if I have ANY kind of chocolate, I set up a craving for it & lose in the end.

fisherlassie

cold turkey

Tenoreo90

Cold turkey, huh?

It's so weird. I quit smoking a few years ago, cold turkey, no major problems. I mean, it was hard, but I suppose I just replaced it with chocolate. 40 pounds later... I find myself having the same issue with a different addiction! Oh the irony...

pupcamper

I don't worry about naturally occurring sugar either - just the processed stuff. If you are like I was you are craving processed sugar - the more you have the more you want! I don't each much of it anymore and the cravings have gone. Wasn't easy giving it up but very worthwhile! I've had a half eaten chocolate bar in the fridge since October and I had a couple of squares at Christmas - could never have done that before!

splashwags

Try to limit the fruit to twice and day and no fruit after 2 or 3 in the afternoon, Also I try to time fruit consumption close to a work out to burn that off...

Also find really good chocolate (the higher the cocoa content the better) if you really need it and treat yourself once a day...

RonneyKay

I was having the same problem. I deleted my sugar column. I feel much better now:)

bjbixler

I was having the same problem. I deleted my sugar column. I feel much better now:)

Thats one way to do it. Haha... maybe I should do the same.

Tenoreo90

I was having the same problem. I deleted my sugar column. I feel much better now:)

LOL

DreamerNicole

These are recipes from the diabetic diet I try to follow. If you limit yourself to ONE a day and stick to the serving size...or hald it and have it as a snack twice a day your sugars shouldn't be high at all. Apples are REALLY sugary so avoid those if you can.

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/wake_up_smoothie.html - berry smoothie

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/tropical_fruit_smoothie.html - topical smoothie

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/low_sugar_plum_spread.html - sweet plum spread [ great on whole wheat toast!]

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/berry_rich_muffins.html [ these are great for a sweet tooth ] berry muffins.

Tenoreo90

I don't worry about naturally occurring sugar either - just the processed stuff. If you are like I was you are craving processed sugar - the more you have the more you want! I don't each much of it anymore and the cravings have gone. Wasn't easy giving it up but very worthwhile! I've had a half eaten chocolate bar in the fridge since October and I had a couple of squares at Christmas - could never have done that before!

Impressive! And soo true. I'm trying to give up processed sugar all together, everytime I say, "Oh, I'll just have one fun-size bar" if there's a bowl of it at work, nope. Never works. Especially when someone sees you and says, "Oh have you tried the ___ kind? Those are the best!"

I'm going to start claiming chocolate allergy....

hillybilly007

Do u drink plenty of water??? Sometime that can help if u have a craving 4 something try drinking a glass of water first then waiting 10 min. before eating some sweet,or whatever or r craving. I used to have a really bad sweet tooth especially after dinner 4 some reason I Slowly stop eatin them lost the cravings. GOOD LUCK!

DreamerNicole

I am allergic to chocolate! haha. it really cuts down on it!

jamja

It takes about three weeks to get over sugar addiction (my experience). However fruit and juice is, most of the time, just as bad so limit your intake. This video explains why sugar and foods that metabolize like sugar will make you gain weight.
http://www.beyonddiet.com/bd/landing?food=avocado

jfluchere

sugar is like being a crack addict. you cant have just a little now and then. just get off it and stay away from it!!!

jfluchere

sugar is like crack. theres no moderation or substitute. clean yourself out, get off it and dont look back.

vjrose

Fruit juices not so good, but those that tell you fruit is bad need to distinguish between readily available sugars like bananas and fruits that have a lot of fiber and take a while to metabolize. Read the studies, we do need fruits and vegetables in our diet and considering that scientifcally there is no such thing as a vegetable (they are all fruit technically) then do they only eat meat, lol, our bodies are not designed to only eat meat so be cool, moderate your sugar, but if it's natural sugar don't over stress if you go over the recommendation a bit. Just look for fruits or "vegetables" that offer you fiber and a more complex makeup.

jamja

While fruit do provide essential nutrients some fruit are better than others. Try low glycemic fruits ...google it. Excessive amounts of fruit will slow your weight loss. No advocating to eliminate fruits, just choose wisely.
Plus check out this video...great information
http://www.beyonddiet.com/bd/landing?food=avocado

Tenoreo90

While fruit do provide essential nutrients some fruit are better than others. Try low glycemic fruits ...google it. Excessive amounts of fruit will slow your weight loss. No advocating to eliminate fruits, just choose wisely.
Plus check out this video...great information
http://www.beyonddiet.com/bd/landing?food=avocado

Thanks! I googled low glycemic fruits-had no idea canteloupe was low! That's exciting!

Tenoreo90

These are recipes from the diabetic diet I try to follow. If you limit yourself to ONE a day and stick to the serving size...or hald it and have it as a snack twice a day your sugars shouldn't be high at all. Apples are REALLY sugary so avoid those if you can.

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/wake_up_smoothie.html - berry smoothie

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/tropical_fruit_smoothie.html - topical smoothie

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/low_sugar_plum_spread.html - sweet plum spread [ great on whole wheat toast!]

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/berry_rich_muffins.html [ these are great for a sweet tooth ] berry muffins.

Thanks a lot! I'll be checking these out for sure. Those muffins sound really good!

LeeDahlen38

Sorry to tell you but somebody had to tell me. ... It's not a matter of can't.... It's a matter of won't..... When you want it BAD ENOUGH, wild horses won't make you eat bad stuff. You will enjoy them occasionally.

Natashaa1991

increase protein. i used to eat a lot of fruit and whole grain muffins and all that kind of stuff, but if you really want it to work, have 1 or 2 pieces of fruit a day (i know, i was terrified when i first heard that you shouldn't eat a lot of FRUIT in your diet)
but i found out when i have protein for lunch (like fish or chicken) i tend to be satisfied longer, so i don't need afternoon snack (which would again be fruit, hello)
However in the morning i need to have something sweet so i usually eat fruit.
and i totally understand you, i have and unhealthy relationship with chocolate (and anything sweet really).
Also avoid smoothies, they are delicious but when you think about it they can pack a lot of sugar and calories and they don't fill you up (even though if you put nothing but fruit in it, when you think about it, one banana, one apple, one papaya, or whatever you put in your smoothie, calories and sugar can add up)

lrstubbs

I have found where someone has addressed sugar here, and it's an old thread, but I'm gonna put this out there anyway, cause I'm baffled. I'm eating EXTREMELY healthy. Example: Yogurt (light) and granola and 1/2 c milk for breakfast. Garden salad for lunch/ lite dressing. Apple for snack. I have not even eaten dinner. I'm almost 700 calories out from my calorie limit, but my sugar is 35 grams OVER! How in the world could I possibly change something here? I've barely eaten anything! lol

The milk, yogurt and granola are the main culprits - along with the apple of course - but anywhere that you hear of healthy eating habits, these three items are often in a daily menu, so I don't understand.

luciawise

I choose fruit and berries that are lower in sugar and have a higher fiber content. I avoid, but not eliminate, dried fruits and tropical fruits which are generally higher in sugar and lower in fiber.

Also, I use non-concentrated fruit juice and find mixing it with sparkling water is a great substitute for regular fruit juices and especially soda pop.

As for chocolate, I find the darker it is the less I eat. Sometimes I find freezing chocolate treats keeps me from eating it all up at once. But I'll admit to happily eating frozen chocolate.

I find non-dairy chocolate 'ice creams' and 'milks' have less sugar, but double check and compare the labels for sure.

BogQueen1

Light foods replace the fat with added sugar. Change that light yogurt to greek yogurt, plain. Granola is famous for having added sugar, and isn't all that healthy. Milk: More sugar. Salad, ok. Light dressing: here's those sneaky added sugars again. Apple: Sugar!

You are spiking your blood sugar something fierce with this eating pattern. Please stop being afraid of fat! It's really not the enemy and is so much better for you then sugar. When you eat this much sugar, you flood your body with insulin (your fat STORING hormone) and all that sugar you eat is quickly processed, put into fat, and then suddenly you are hungry again.

Replace that breakfast with some eggs and vegetables and lean meat. Add a full fat vinaigrette to your salad and add some chicken to it. Replace the apple with a small handful of nuts. You will be amazed at how much fuller you feel.

caitlyn30

sugar free chocolate pudding

EvgeniZyntx

There is absolutely no reason to cease eating fruit. None.
Just delete the sugar column is you can't understand that basic element.
If your macros are fine, sugar is already counted.

Koldnomore

I have found where someone has addressed sugar here, and it's an old thread, but I'm gonna put this out there anyway, cause I'm baffled. I'm eating EXTREMELY healthy. Example: Yogurt (light) and granola and 1/2 c milk for breakfast. Garden salad for lunch/ lite dressing. Apple for snack. I have not even eaten dinner. I'm almost 700 calories out from my calorie limit, but my sugar is 35 grams OVER! How in the world could I possibly change something here? I've barely eaten anything! lol

The milk, yogurt and granola are the main culprits - along with the apple of course - but anywhere that you hear of healthy eating habits, these three items are often in a daily menu, so I don't understand.

Rolled oats instead of granola = 0 sugar, Greek yogurt instead of whatever you are having is way less sugar, almond/soy milk have less sugar than normal milk

I'm working on my sugar, I manage to keep it under about 40g most days but I'd like to go lower. The milk is a big one for me because I haven't had the desire to switch to some other kind yet - and it's $$$ where I live but I might try it eventually. My worst is the fruit in my yogurt, I have been looking for something else to use but haven't found anything I like yet.

lrstubbs

thanks! I think my changes need to come mainly in the morning, and I'll have to find a way to pull it off with quick choices. I have kids to get ready and drop off, etc. I'm just kind of busy in the mornings, but I'll figure it out. Thanks for your suggestions!