Sugar

How much sugar does is ok for a non-diabetic who, except for the gym 3 days a week, lives a mostly sedentary lifestyle? MFP has me set at 41 grams, which is next to nothing. So far today, I've consumed a whopping 360 calories which was breakfast, an apple, a banana and a cup of Dannon Oikos Greek yogurt, and I'm already over my sugar by 16 grams. When I cook at home, and eat only all-natural things, veggies, fruits, grains, etc, I am still over my sugar by a ton. It seems the only way to stay under 41 grams of sugar is to not eat anything.

So how much is ok for the day? My calories are set around 1800, and I am always under that except when I lift heavy at the gym and need protein after, but I always end up eating in excess of 80-100 grams of sugar. Since I'm not diabetic or pre-diabetic, should I just ignore the sugar and continue to eat as I have been? I've lost a little over 30 lbs in the past 3 and a half months, so I guess I've been doing something right, but the sugar has me second-guessing myself.

Replies

  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    I would recommend "taking a step back" and looking at your entire diet. If you're not eating a lot of processed crap, I wouldn't worry about it.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Just don't track it then, if you are in a calorie deficit and eating a varied mostly whole food diet, I wouldn't overly concern myself with sugar intake
  • climbamnt
    climbamnt Posts: 190 Member
    I have had it explained that if you a not diabetic, natural sugars from fruits and vegetable are ok. It is sugars from processed and refined food that you want to avoid.
  • bradp1979
    bradp1979 Posts: 154 Member
    Cool, good info. I don't eat much processed foods, and those that I do eat don't have much sugar. I try to focus the "big meals" around whole foods, fruits and grains mainly.
  • michikade
    michikade Posts: 313 Member
    As everyone here has said, so long as its natural sugars found in fruits and veggies, you're fine. It's the refined sugars and HFCS you want to steer clear of - these offer nothing for nutrition and throw the body off, too!
  • climbamnt
    climbamnt Posts: 190 Member
    Cool, good info. I don't eat much processed foods, and those that I do eat don't have much sugar. I try to focus the "big meals" around whole foods, fruits and grains mainly.

    Congrats on losing 30 pounds too!