Worry about Sugars: Yes or No?

DelilahFreeman

I am trying to follow not only my daily calorie goal but also the goals set up in the nutrition intake. I am having the hardest time with the sugar goal. My daily intake of sugar should be 24 g and I can typically stay under or at this goal (especially with work-outs because my goals increase) but if I eat fruit then my sugar spikes! I know the sugar in fruit is good for you and it's not the same as other sugars but I just need to know if I should worry about the excess of sugar in fruits?? Like today for instance I have logged all my food for the day and until I logged my apple I was under my sugar intake. My apple, however, was 25 g of sugar- which is over my daily intake by itself. Advice, please???

dls06

I don't track it. My sugar is coming from HEALTHY sources. Sugar is a carb and is included in carb count. As long as my carbs are within limits, for me that's good enough.

foremant86

Never worried about it.

MattGetsMad

Yes. That being said, do I freak out if I go over? No. I always try to hit my goals, but if I screw up a little I just move on. Good luck!

SanyamKaushik

Well, on MFP, sucrose (that comes from sugar ), fructose (fruits), lactose (naturally occurring in milk) are all put under the same category i.e. sugar. Although all these are sugars and give the same amount of energy but I would not bother about fructose and lactose if I'm under my net calorie level.

All these forms of sugar do differ on their molecular structure and are metabolised differently by body.

The glucose that either comes from free glucose, sucrose or starches contributes to elevating your blood sugar levels. Fructose, however, does not raise your blood sugar levels and is rather sent directly to your liver where it is metabolised.

In my case, I only worry about keeping control of refined sugar only (which is mainly sucrose). Personally, I would say, worry only if you are diabetic or goes 2,3 times the allowed sugar (if you remain under calories goal)

FatDadSlim

Sugar is Sugar, no matter where it is from.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

Speaking from experience the more I controlled it (from all sources) the better results i had.

sunnygal1

You'll get a variety of opinions on this one--this topic often erupts into a heated debate! In my own experience, I happen to lose weight the quickest when I'm careful about staying within my MFP recommended sugar limit.

mummum2

I don't track it. My sugar is coming from HEALTHY sources. Sugar is a carb and is included in carb count. As long as my carbs are within limits, for me that's good enough.

^This....

_VoV

I eat next to no refined sugar, but still exceed MFP's goals because I eat a lot of veggies and fruit. I don't like seeing punishing red numbers when I'm eating healthy, so I don't track sugar.

gp79

I don't track mine. It's fruit, comes from the earth and is not processed.

carlageek

I haven't worried about sugars at any point in my process. I eat a ton of fruit - up to 5 pieces of fruit a day, usually apples, oranges, and bananas. I also get a little sugar from dairy sources. Beyond that I don't have many sources of sugar in my diet. Still, with all the fruit I eat, I get plenty of sugar and it hasn't been a problem for me.

That said, everyone is different, with different responses and triggers. The only way to find out what works for you is to do the science experiment. You can try cutting sugars for 6 weeks and see how you feel, compared to when you are eating them.

Miss_dannii

I don't eat sweet stuff, yet I go over on my sugars all the time..

glowbuggy

I am a diabetic so I HAVE to worry about my sugars. I find I am having a hard time trying to keep my calorie, sugare and carbs all in check. If I watch my cals, my sugars and carbs go up. If I watch my sugars and carbs, then the cals go up.

xo_morgan

i used to do a low carb low sugar diet so even though im now only tracking cals..i find myself always looking at the sugar and carb content still.! But i never worry about my sugars from fruit ;o)

TheDrBuchanan

Well, on MFP, sucrose (that comes from sugar ), fructose (fruits), lactose (naturally occurring in milk) are all put under the same category i.e. sugar. Although all these are sugars and give the same amount of energy but I would not bother about fructose and lactose if I'm under my net calorie level.

All these forms of sugar do differ on their molecular structure and are metabolised differently by body.

The glucose that either comes from free glucose, sucrose or starches contributes to elevating your blood sugar levels. Fructose, however, does not raise your blood sugar levels and is rather sent directly to your liver where it is metabolised.

In my case, I only worry about keeping control of refined sugar only (which is mainly sucrose). Personally, I would say, worry only if you are diabetic or goes 2,3 times the allowed sugar (if you remain under calories goal)

^^This

Skeemer118

Yes. That being said, do I freak out if I go over? No. I always try to hit my goals, but if I screw up a little I just move on. Good luck!

^ Yup. Same here.

hagamivida

I worry more about sodium than sugar because fruit is a healthy source and it lumps bad abd good sugar together.

ladybg81

I watch carbs but not sugar. If it's sugars from fruits or veggies or natural sources, I don't worry about it. If it is processed stuff, then yes, I pay attention.

Ahluvly

Sugar is sugar, yes there are better types but at the end of the day...too much sugar = excess fat! I know about this matter as I've just had to restrict my diet drastically as I was in fat storage mode due to producing too much insulin. 1st week of changes = 4.6lbs off.

I would aim to have your fruits before anything naughty, try and stay off the naughty stuff and keep an eye on your sugar levels, along with sodium and your other macros.

Hope that helped!

krypt5

Sugar is Sugar, no matter where it is from.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

Speaking from experience the more I controlled it (from all sources) the better results i had.

http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/01/29/the-bitter-truth-about-fructose-alarmism/

SanyamKaushik

yes, atleast, dont keep off from sugars from fruits and milk i.e. natural occurring sugars IMHO.

Sidesteal

Stay in a caloric deficit and make reasonably smart food choices and just don't bother tracking sugar at all unless you're diabetic or have any other insulin related medical conditions.

IMO.

agentscully514

I am insulin resistant, so I count ALL sugars, including those in fruit.

yesthistime

I eat next to no refined sugar, but still exceed MFP's goals because I eat a lot of veggies and fruit. I don't like seeing punishing red numbers when I'm eating healthy, so I don't track sugar.

Yup, I removed the "Sugar" category from my food diary.

XXXMinnieXXX

I don't worry about it too much as long as its natural sugars and nothing naughty. That being said I do sway towards eating big portions of veg rather than fruit, which I think has less sugars. I was tracking and constantly went over. It depressed me so I took it of my diary. I've lost 55lbs so it hasn't hurt me. I do cook everything from scratch though too, very rarely eat anything processed! X

mickipedia

the way i see it is you have 2 types of sugar.. natural and processed.

if its natural sugars (i.e. fruit and vegetables) then don't worry

if its processed sugars (sweets and chocolate) then keep it under control

If you're diabetic then keep an eye on all of your sugars

Alissa_RN

Sugar is Sugar, no matter where it is from.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

Speaking from experience the more I controlled it (from all sources) the better results i had.

I've had this same experience and that video is eye opening...

DelilahFreeman

I don't have a problem with "sweets" but I can hit my sugar target just by eating meals. I think I will just experiement with staying under my sugars versus going over w/ natural sugars only and see what works best for me and my weight loss goals. Thanks for all the advice. I am gaining a lot of perspective on weight loss & nutrition thanks to these forums!!

agentscully514

You have to remember that many fruits contain high levels of SUCROSE, not just fructose. Some high sucrose fruits are:
nectarines, mangoes, jackfruit, peaches, cantaloupe, apricots and bananas. These fruits will absolutely raise your blood sugar.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/293125-sucrose-levels-in-fruit/#ixzz1lnuHBAYE

Well, on MFP, sucrose (that comes from sugar ), fructose (fruits), lactose (naturally occurring in milk) are all put under the same category i.e. sugar. Although all these are sugars and give the same amount of energy but I would not bother about fructose and lactose if I'm under my net calorie level.

Aperture_Science

I don't track it.

alyssaanagram

I don't track it. My sugar is coming from HEALTHY sources. Sugar is a carb and is included in carb count. As long as my carbs are within limits, for me that's good enough.

^Agreed! I usually go over my daily sugar by 20-30g because I eat 3-4 servings of fruit a day (from apples, grapes, cantaloupe...) & at least 5 servings of vegetables. I only get about 5g a day from added sugars like cane sugar. Fruit is healthy and good for you - don't worry so much if you go over your limit because of an apple.