please dont tear me a new one... just a question...
iFeelBrandNew
Posts: 263 Member
how important is sugar intake? ive been over EVERY DAY as far back as i can remember... and i guess im wondering what harm that could do, if any?
i might add that its not from candy bars or anything like that, more so my instant oatmeal, fruit, yogurt, and so on.
reason i ask is, i have stubborn belly fat that i want to go away....
am i all over the place and rambling?
i might add that its not from candy bars or anything like that, more so my instant oatmeal, fruit, yogurt, and so on.
reason i ask is, i have stubborn belly fat that i want to go away....
am i all over the place and rambling?
0
Replies
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It's not important. It's a carb, if you have moderate carbs, sugar is fine. Track sodium and fiber instead, much more important.0
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When you're tracking your calories on this site, it gives you the recommended break down of carbs to protein to fat ratios. If you're active, I would up my protein a little bit. Sugars are a source of carbohydrates. Ever heard of the principle IIFYM "If It Fits Your Macros"? It basically relates to your question by stating that you can (and should) eat foods containing sugar in order to fulfill your daily requirements of macro nutrients (carbs, fats, protein). You just have to aim to be at a caloric deficit by the end of the day and that's how you lose weight, not by simply cutting your body's supply to carbohydrates.0
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I have no idea if this is true, but I've heard in the past that extra sugar can cause that bit of stubborn belly fat. So, maybe lowering your sugar intake and getting your calories from other sources like proteins could help your belly fat?0
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thanks all! i have no clue about macros or calorie deficits. i just know to eat 1200, exercise, and eat back what i exercised off. its worked as ive lost a total of about 70 pounds, but as of late i gained back 15. i just want to lose those pounds AGAIN, but its proving harder to get off this time around... mostly due to my lack of follow through, because im not seeing immediate results like before.
i guess, deep down inside i wanted you to say that YES sugar is the problem and that would fix my issue. LOL0 -
I've seen a lot of people say there's no real need to pay attention to it unless you have a medical reason to.0
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i might add that i have also started incorporating some strength training. i dont want to be skinny fat,.0
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Read the South Beach Diet (not pimping it, just saying read it), it does an excellent job of explaining complex and simple carbs and the different types of sugars and how we process them.
It helped me.0 -
Well, if you have already lost that much, you know what works for you. It is always harder the next time around, and the next and so on. It is easy to get discouraged, too. Just remember, motivation comes in cycles, so you can fake it til you make it! Keep up the good work and you will see results! I'm rooting for you!0
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My belief is that if I could cut out sugar, I would lose the extra belly fat. But I am a bad sugar addict, and it's not an easy habit to break. Excess carb intake (simple or complex) will contribute to hypoglycemia, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and more. People weren't too far off when they were condoning Atkins and supporting the low-carb craze. They just let it get out of control.0
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bumping... i am constantly over my sugar every day, just by simply adding a tbsp of honey to my breakfast smoothies......0
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how important is sugar intake? ive been over EVERY DAY as far back as i can remember... and i guess im wondering what harm that could do, if any?
i might add that its not from candy bars or anything like that, more so my instant oatmeal, fruit, yogurt, and so on.
reason i ask is, i have stubborn belly fat that i want to go away....
am i all over the place and rambling?
glad you posted this, i've had this problem too (being over in sugar). today i had toast with cream cheese and an orange for breakfast, and it said at that point i was already at my sugar limit. like how can that be possible?!?!0 -
I essentially ignore carbs/sugars and focus on the following 6:
• Calories
• Fat
• Sodium
• Protein
• Potassium
• Fiber
The first 3 are ceilings and the last 3 are floors. That's worked for me, but YMMV.0 -
oh my goodness me too. carbs in general! theres nothing better than a hot sweet pastry or cinnamon roll or whatever. i remind myself that i cant eat it, and then ill go on a binge and just not give a darn for about a week.
i havent done that in a while however. ill read up on the atkins diet. im almost willing to try anything i just know how important it is to lose the weight in a way that you'll be able to sustain.0 -
I essentially ignore carbs/sugars and focus on the following 6:
• Calories
• Fat
• Sodium
• Protein
• Potassium
• Fiber
The first 3 are ceilings and the last 3 are floors. That's worked for me, but YMMV.
YMMV?0 -
meh..nothing to worry yourself over. I don't even track it.0
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It's likely different for different people. For me, my body's good with sugar from fruit and I seem to do well having unrefined flours, whole grains, etc. (e.g. whole wheat pasta in moderation). However, if I have sucrose and refined carbs (most breakfast cereals, white bread, etc.) I crave more and end up blowing my diet. So, I stick to getting my sugars in fruit and whole grains, and don't worry about those too much. (side note, I'm vegan)
It may be worth mentioning that my mom went from overweight to the healthy (at age 65 or so, keeping it off for the last three years) by only cutting out processed sugars. She still eats lots of fruit, dairy, and even juice, but very rarely has ice cream, sweetened yogurt, anything sweetened with sugar or cane syrup or whatever, etc. and she doesn't track a single other thing (calories, etc.).
Other people seem to lose weight just fine by eating all sorts of sugar in moderation. But, it doesn't work for me (and neither does cutting out carbs). Experiment and see!0 -
YMMV = You Mileage May Vary
FYI: www.acronymfinder.com is handy for this website. I check acroynm's there first, and Google it second.0 -
I essentially ignore carbs/sugars and focus on the following 4:
• Calories
• Fat
• Protein
• Fiber
The first 1 is a ceiling and the last 3 are floors.
^fixed.
BTW to OP - YMMV = your mileage may vary.....you might not have the same results following the same plan.0 -
YMMV = You Mileage May Vary
FYI: www.acronymfinder.com is handy for this website. I check acroynm's there first, and Google it second.
thanks!0 -
I essentially ignore carbs/sugars and focus on the following 4:
• Calories
• Fat
• Protein
• Fiber
The first 1 is a ceiling and the last 3 are floors.
^fixed.
BTW to OP - YMMV = your mileage may vary.....you might not have the same results following the same plan.
Jacwhite22,
I meant it as I originally posted it; 3 ceilings and 3 floors.0 -
I essentially ignore carbs/sugars and focus on the following 4:
• Calories
• Fat
• Protein
• Fiber
The first 1 is a ceiling and the last 3 are floors.
^fixed.
BTW to OP - YMMV = your mileage may vary.....you might not have the same results following the same plan.
perfect! i think the 4 would be easiest to concentrate on at first. you know, baby steps!0 -
how important is sugar intake? ive been over EVERY DAY as far back as i can remember... and i guess im wondering what harm that could do, if any?
i might add that its not from candy bars or anything like that, more so my instant oatmeal, fruit, yogurt, and so on.
reason i ask is, i have stubborn belly fat that i want to go away....
am i all over the place and rambling?
MFP setting is kind of low. I'm over all the time. A piece or two of fruit a day can put you over. As long as it sugar from a healthy source I would not worry about it too much.0 -
I have the same problem. I can come in way under my carbs, but way over on my sugars. It's frustrating, so I just ignore it. I will agree that South Beach has some great information about how carbs work, etc......I'm not crazy about the diet because I LOVE carbs, but it did help teach me how to make some better choices when it comes to eating them (and the "right" kind). There's a lot of helpful information in it and "phase 2" has some decent recipes whether you're following the diet or not.......phase 1 is way too restrictive for me.0
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I essentially ignore carbs/sugars and focus on the following 4:
• Calories
• Fat
• Protein
• Fiber
The first 1 is a ceiling and the last 3 are floors.
^fixed.
BTW to OP - YMMV = your mileage may vary.....you might not have the same results following the same plan.
Jacwhite22,
I meant it as I originally posted it; 3 ceilings and 3 floors.
thanks coolraul! it seems i NEVER eat enough potassium! im not sure what to do about that... if i eat a ton of bananas ill be REALLY over in sugar!
LOL 0 -
Sugar makes your pancreas work harder. Then it raises your glucose. Then it wears of and your blood sugar crashes and you feel hypoglycemic or hungry and eat again....
Avoid sugar, after a week you wont miss it. What worked for me was focusing on what I want, which is to be less fat, rather than obsessing over the sugar I am giving up.
My hubby just lost 70lbs doing this. I decided to join him 2 days ago~0 -
I essentially ignore carbs/sugars and focus on the following 4:
• Calories
• Fat
• Protein
• Fiber
The first 1 is a ceiling and the last 3 are floors.
^fixed.
BTW to OP - YMMV = your mileage may vary.....you might not have the same results following the same plan.
Jacwhite22,
I meant it as I originally posted it; 3 ceilings and 3 floors.
I get that.....but sodium has no effect on fat loss....only water retention. dietary fat doesn't make you fat........and potassium is no more special than any other micronutrients.0 -
I have the same problem. I can come in way under my carbs, but way over on my sugars. It's frustrating, so I just ignore it. I will agree that South Beach has some great information about how carbs work, etc......I'm not crazy about the diet because I LOVE carbs, but it did help teach me how to make some better choices when it comes to eating them (and the "right" kind). There's a lot of helpful information in it and "phase 2" has some decent recipes whether you're following the diet or not.......phase 1 is way too restrictive for me.
i looked into the south beach diet a while back, and thought the same thing. i completed a test on line that told me to start in phase 2... but i never stuck with it. mostly because i love carbs too. but, if its hurting me, and my tummy, i have to do SOMETHING0 -
Sugar makes your pancreas work harder. Then it raises your glucose. Then it wears of and your blood sugar crashes and you feel hypoglycemic or hungry and eat again....
Avoid sugar, after a week you wont miss it. What worked for me was focusing on what I want, which is to be less fat, rather than obsessing over the sugar I am giving up.
My hubby just lost 70lbs doing this. I decided to join him 2 days ago~
hmmmmm.... sometimes i swear im hypoglycemic. and it seems im ALWAYS hungry. thanks for that input.0 -
I essentially ignore carbs/sugars and focus on the following 4:
• Calories
• Fat
• Protein
• Fiber
The first 1 is a ceiling and the last 3 are floors.
^fixed.
BTW to OP - YMMV = your mileage may vary.....you might not have the same results following the same plan.
Jacwhite22,
I meant it as I originally posted it; 3 ceilings and 3 floors.
thanks coolraul! it seems i NEVER eat enough potassium! im not sure what to do about that... if i eat a ton of bananas ill be REALLY over in sugar! LOL
FYI - Most items that DO have potassium do not have it in the nutritionals, because it is not a requirement. You're more than likely getting enough, but it looks like you aren't, from a lack of data for the items. It's not something worth stressing over at all. Also...eating over in sugar won't matter as long as you concentrate on the more important items...calories, protein, fat and carbs, in that order of importance. I personally eat a ton of sugar, most days...and well you can see the terrible gut I have from it...
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thanks coolraul! it seems i NEVER eat enough potassium! im not sure what to do about that... if i eat a ton of bananas ill be REALLY over in sugar! LOL
It's quite likely that you're getting more potassium than MFP shows. A lot of foods in the database don't include the potassium count, and a lot of nutrition labels don't include it either.0
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