How do you feel about MFP's sugar limits?

badtastebetty

I'm confused by MFP measurement of how much sugar I take in a day. I fully understand that chowing down on sweets, and processed food isn't going to do me any good, and for that reason I've opted to cut those things out and eat a diet extremely high in vegetables, and moderate fruits.

My sugar is over by 22grams today, and the culprit was not cake, or bread, but instead one apple and two peppers, combined with a long list of veggies.

I am not taking the sugar limit too seriously, given what I am eating, but it's irritating to be eating so well and still be going over on something.

How do you guys approach the sugar limit? Do you ignore it, or adapt?

Signed,
Fruits and Vegetables Lover

marekdds

I ignore it. Like you, I eat lots of fruit and veg, but no processed stuff (or rarely) and I was always over, so I just don't check it any more.

wassergottin

If it's from fruit and vegetables, I ignore it. I try to keep it down for things like yogurt, but even that's not awful.

xilka

I'm usually 50% over the MFP sugar recommendation,
but I don't think I eat that much sugar either.
So, I don't pay too much attention to it.

Mustaine4Pres

agree with the above. My nutritionist said that if it is fruit, it shouldn't count (of course, if that is all you are eating, you might have other problems).

Just2Bhappy

if you eat more then 2 fruits you go over. I ignore it.

jofjltncb6

I believe the default MFP sugar limits are onerous, oppressive and optional. Unless you have a medical reason to pay attention to them, I don't believe it's that important. Of course, many disagree with this position and I bet they'll be here shortly to say so.

Personally, I ignore them and instead focus on 1) hitting my protein minimum (which is also not the MFP default), 2) hitting my fat minimum (which is also not the MFP default), and then 3) hitting my total calories level. (Last year, I had "hitting my micros/vitamins/minerals" as highest priority, but I've relaxed that quite a bit lately.)

wickedwendy6

Most of my sugar comes from fruit also. So I ignore it - in fact I've removed it from my food diary display.

lithezebra

I subtract the number of grams of sugar that I go over from my carbs. So if I eat 20 extra grams of sugar, I eat 20 grams less carbs.

Most of my sugar comes from fruit and from unsweetened dairy, and I still go over MFP's goal every day.

badtastebetty

I subtract the number of grams of sugar that I go over from my carbs. So if I eat 20 extra grams of sugar, I eat 20 grams less carbs.

Most of my sugar comes from fruit and from unsweetened dairy, and I still go over MFP's goal every day.

That's a smart way to look at it! Flipping through my diary, I'm always under my carbs, including when I add the sugar I've gone over.

Glad the consensus is to ignore it. Though I would be interested in the opposition.

kmc979

i find it very frustrating because i am always over, most of the time because of fruits and veggies, though i do put a little sugar in my coffee. i try to ignore it but that red number is irritating. i am also normally way under my carb level.

haymancm

I subtract the number of grams of sugar that I go over from my carbs. So if I eat 20 extra grams of sugar, I eat 20 grams less carbs.

Most of my sugar comes from fruit and from unsweetened dairy, and I still go over MFP's goal every day.

That's a good plan to have! It's especially good to know that everyone else is going over in their sugar's mostly from fruits. One orange is 12, and a banana is 14! I'm not one to normally eat fruit, so this is a good start for me.

What do other's think about going over on their protein? I've been over on my fat also for 3 of the 4 days. Yet, 29 of my 64 points (about half) was done with 1/2 an avocado & 1/4 cup of some almonds, both very healthy fats.

I figure that if I'm going over and the food is healthy, what should it matter? I've not had a coke in 3 days!

badtastebetty

I subtract the number of grams of sugar that I go over from my carbs. So if I eat 20 extra grams of sugar, I eat 20 grams less carbs.

Most of my sugar comes from fruit and from unsweetened dairy, and I still go over MFP's goal every day.

That's a good plan to have! It's especially good to know that everyone else is going over in their sugar's mostly from fruits. One orange is 12, and a banana is 14! I'm not one to normally eat fruit, so this is a good start for me.

What do other's think about going over on their protein? I've been over on my fat also for 3 of the 4 days. Yet, 29 of my 64 points (about half) was done with 1/2 an avocado & 1/4 cup of some almonds, both very healthy fats.

I figure that if I'm going over and the food is healthy, what should it matter? I've not had a coke in 3 days!

Congrats on the soda! That can be a tough thing to quit.

Fat is not a bad thing to have, as long as you`re sticking with the healthy fats. I love avocado and coconut oil. I also try to add some cheese in as a treat. Eventually depending on your goals, you will need to adjust.

Protein, most people live by the more you eat the better. I think it`s less important when you`re not trying to build muscle, but it`s definitely not something you need to worry about going over with. It definitely helps me stay full, which is nice

StacieHof

You can move the number up if it bothers you to much.

Amas77

Happy to read this post today. I was just complaining to my husband about this last night. I don't eat processed sugars and go way over my sugar everyday b/c I usually have 3 or 4 fruits. Very irritating. I've been guiltily ignoring it but after reading everyone else's comments, I'll just ignore it from now on without the guilt

auzziecawth66

I changed mine to track my iron intake instead. I'm more interested in making sure I'm getting enough of that then the fact that an apple is half my 'daily' allowance of sugar lol...

badtastebetty

I figured out how to get rid of it, and replaced it with fibre intake :bigsmile:

auzziecawth66

Gotta love the fiber!!

michellekicks

MFP isn't the boss of me. I just track calories, protein and fiber.

lindseymariep

Pay more attention to the added sugars in sweets and beverages compared to the natural sugars in fruits. Try to keep added sugars below 25 g a day which is equal to about 6 teaspoons and 100 calories.

Shelleben82

MFP isn't the boss of me. I just track calories, protein and fiber.

:laugh: ^^ i love that!!!

i go over on sugars too, think im gonna go tweak it and find that fiber intake!!

Francl27

I stopped tracking sugar. It's pointless. I just try and limit things with refined sugar.