Bummed about sugar intake

jiggasprincess
jiggasprincess Posts: 14
in Health and Weight Loss
Bummed! Seems as though my food choices have a lot of sugar intake? But I've made wiser decisions, choosing fruit instead of junk food? NOT happy :-(

I am following a gestational diabetes diet of 1800 calories. I don't always chose the best foods, but from where I've been to where I am now - I thought I was doing great... I recently added the "sugar and sodium" feature to my calorie intake form and I can't believe the amount of sugar some "healthy" foods have! I need help!

Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Firstly you can either turn off the sugar from display altogether http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/diary_settings , or use custom goals to set a different value http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/change_goals_custom

    However as you mention diabetes that probably isn't wise, if you have problems with carbohydrates (of which sugar is one) then tracking may be a good idea after all but you can do that by tracking carbs.
  • whiteheaddg
    whiteheaddg Posts: 325 Member
    I bust my sugar goal almost daily. However, that is because I'm eating bananas, apples, blueberries, etc. I don't sweat it.
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    If you are diabetic, you definitely should be watching your sugar intake.

    If not, do not worry too much about sugars from fruits. But, if the intake is MASSIVE, you may want to replace some fruits with vegetables instead.
  • jiggasprincess
    jiggasprincess Posts: 14
    Thanks.. I'd rather not turn off the sugar feature. It's good to know, especially w the gestational diabetes. But I follow a diet the nutritionist gave me. Ex; 3 carbs, 1 protein for breakfast, 3 carbs, 3 oz protein for lunch/dinner... Then snack in between each meal of 1 carb, 1 protein... So I will choose Peanut butter crackers (which the nutritionist recommended)... Or an apple and a string cheese. A piece of wheat bread w peanut butter (Just some examples).... I thought they were wiser choices than I used to, but apparently not.
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    Vegetables are carbs too... and low in sugar... get you some spinach, broccoli, celery, etc...
  • jiggasprincess
    jiggasprincess Posts: 14
    I wanted to mention - I also have to check my sugar levels by pricking myself and recorded it 4x daily... they are always in normal range???? So that is antoher reason I thougt my food choices were wise? I am with in range. The only time I go over, is if I would decide to have something out of my diet
  • cmccorma
    cmccorma Posts: 203 Member
    I had gestational diabetes with my pregnancy (my baby is now 8 months old). I personally could do no fruit at all. It didn't work for my sugar levels. I know other women who could though. So it depends. You will have to see what works for you. For me, I could do no carbs for breakfast at all or my after breakfast numbers were too high. I had to eat a couple eggs only. For snacks I did 4 triscuits with some peanut butter. See what works for you but I could eat no fruit my whole pregancy. I was totally diet controlled by the way, no insulin, and gave birth to a normal 7lb. 5 oz baby so it can be done :) Good luck and you can private message me if you want.
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    I wanted to mention - I also have to check my sugar levels by pricking myself and recorded it 4x daily... they are always in normal range???? So that is antoher reason I thougt my food choices were wise? I am with in range. The only time I go over, is if I would decide to have something out of my diet

    Natural sugar sources of sugar are actually different sugars than those found in many "sweets". They actually don't create as much fluctuation in blood sugar and insulin levels than processed sweets.

    That being said, come on... broccoli... its the best!
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    I wanted to mention - I also have to check my sugar levels by pricking myself and recorded it 4x daily... they are always in normal range???? So that is antoher reason I thougt my food choices were wise? I am with in range. The only time I go over, is if I would decide to have something out of my diet

    Natural sugar sources of sugar are actually different sugars than those found in many "sweets". They actually don't create as much fluctuation in blood sugar and insulin levels than processed sweets.

    That being said, come on... broccoli... its the best!

    Additionally, fruit has fiber in it which a body can NOT process which in turn causes your body to burn more calories. Fruit in moderation is never the enemy.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    I wanted to mention - I also have to check my sugar levels by pricking myself and recorded it 4x daily... they are always in normal range???? So that is antoher reason I thougt my food choices were wise? I am with in range. The only time I go over, is if I would decide to have something out of my diet

    When do you measure, and what numbers do you get ?

    Your diabetes may be mild and there's a lot of bad diet advice given to diabetics by professionals but if you're keeping the blood sugar down then you're doing something right.

    There are diabetic groups on here, use the group search feature.
  • sunshine12870
    sunshine12870 Posts: 92 Member
    Ive also been bothered about the sugar on here for a while, i think the levels they set on MFP daily are wrong as it doesnt seem possible to stay within or under it no matter what you do.

    For instance.......on here my daily allowance is 26g, By the time ive had just breakfast - 30g cornflakes = 3g, 120ml skimmed milk = 6g, cup of tes = 1g, my total is already sitting at 10g.

    I then have a shape 0% fat yoghurt = 11g , my total is now 21g , i have 5g left and still need to have lunch and dinner.

    Its not possible and It drivves me crazy.
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    I wanted to mention - I also have to check my sugar levels by pricking myself and recorded it 4x daily... they are always in normal range???? So that is antoher reason I thougt my food choices were wise? I am with in range. The only time I go over, is if I would decide to have something out of my diet

    Natural sugar sources of sugar are actually different sugars than those found in many "sweets". They actually don't create as much fluctuation in blood sugar and insulin levels than processed sweets.

    That being said, come on... broccoli... its the best!

    Additionally, fruit has fiber in it which a body can NOT process which in turn causes your body to burn more calories. Fruit in moderation is never the enemy.

    Fruit does have fiber, but not nearly as much as vegetables. Fun fact, the chemical composition of fiber is exactly the same as glucose! It is just shaped differently.
  • jiggasprincess
    jiggasprincess Posts: 14
    LEVELS RANGE FROM 70-100. I MUST DO IT 2 HRS AFTER I EAT - 4X DAILY
  • cmccorma
    cmccorma Posts: 203 Member
    Gestational diabetes is a strange beast and is related to your hormone levels during pregnancy. So some things may not apply that would to diabetics. If your numbers are within range, stick to what you are doing and don't worry about what this website has decided is a good number for you. Your blood sugar checks are what count for the health of you and your baby.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    I then have a shape 0% fat yoghurt = 11g , my total is now 21g , i have 5g left and still need to have lunch and dinner.
    Have a proper yoghurt and it'll halve the sugar. "Low fat" = "more carbs / sugar"
  • Gwoman2012
    Gwoman2012 Posts: 163 Member
    Check the grams of sugar in your bread, crackers and peanut butter. If you are not buying all natural PB it likely has added sugar.
  • jiggasprincess
    jiggasprincess Posts: 14
    And another thing to mention is - Since I've been on this diet - 1 1/2 - 2 months - I've lost 8lbs... Which I had a hard time losing weight before my pregnancy. I appreciate the feedback from you all. I just feel like I am doing most things correct and w my sugar level reads being with in target range - I think I'm doing OK. I am just in shock by this sugar feature.
  • Gwoman2012
    Gwoman2012 Posts: 163 Member
    Oh and Cornflakes are awful for a diabetic, Try choosing whole grain carbs or at least cereal that has a significant amount if protein (Kashi GoLean).
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    LEVELS RANGE FROM 70-100. I MUST DO IT 2 HRS AFTER I EAT - 4X DAILY
    Good numbers. At those levels you've beaten it.

    ETA: The guideline for sugars used on here is a USDA guideline for added sugars. From the diabetes point of view carbs are the thing to track as white bread and white sugar have the same blood sugar impact but obviously different sugar contents.
  • cmccorma
    cmccorma Posts: 203 Member
    Don't worry, you are doing great! I lost weight after I was diagnosed at about 20 weeks or so. I lost weight for 4 weeks, then maintained for 8! I only gained a few during the last few weeks. Trust your blood sugar meter and don't worry about anything else. 3 months post partum my fasting number was 101 when they wanted under 99. I had also developed high blood pressure at the end of my pregnancy. Both of those reasons are why I joined MFP and am now 30 pounds below pre-pregnancy weight.
  • jiggasprincess
    jiggasprincess Posts: 14
    Don't worry, you are doing great! I lost weight after I was diagnosed at about 20 weeks or so. I lost weight for 4 weeks, then maintained for 8! I only gained a few during the last few weeks. Trust your blood sugar meter and don't worry about anything else. 3 months post partum my fasting number was 101 when they wanted under 99. I had also developed high blood pressure at the end of my pregnancy. Both of those reasons are why I joined MFP and am now 30 pounds below pre-pregnancy weight.


    Good for you! That is great!! I think I am going to not worry as much as I am, keep doing what I am doing and follow what my counselor reccomends. Everyones advice is good, but I don't think these numbers match my diagnosis. I do also have high blood pressure for about a year :-(
  • Drop_it_Like_Its_Hawt
    Drop_it_Like_Its_Hawt Posts: 226 Member
    Sugar calculating has been hard for me too - I'm not diabetic but had borderline gestational diabetes during my last pregnancy a few years ago and it runs in my family, so of course I'm worried about it. But staying under 40 like it says just seems impossible! One bowl of cereal, some 1% milk and a single tangerine, and I'm already at my limit! Even with no added sugars that I can find, it's still high. I'm wondering if my total sugars (refined and natural) are going upwards of 100 on there (WAY over the recommendation), does that put me at risk?
  • _tjejen_
    _tjejen_ Posts: 38
    I am here trying to lose the weight that insulin dependent gestational diabetes stacked on me (and some from before I got pregnant). Does your maternity hospital offer support for mum's to be with GD? Take advantage of their help if they do. I would be far worse off if it weren't for those fabulous people. Feel free to message me if you need support. Its a pain GD but mine was gone (even though I was on insulin 4x a day) within 24 hours of my sons birth.
  • sunshine12870
    sunshine12870 Posts: 92 Member
    I then have a shape 0% fat yoghurt = 11g , my total is now 21g , i have 5g left and still need to have lunch and dinner.
    Have a proper yoghurt and it'll halve the sugar. "Low fat" = "more carbs / sugar"

    Thanks i will check that out and change the ones im eating.
  • jiggasprincess
    jiggasprincess Posts: 14
    I am here trying to lose the weight that insulin dependent gestational diabetes stacked on me (and some from before I got pregnant). Does your maternity hospital offer support for mum's to be with GD? Take advantage of their help if they do. I would be far worse off if it weren't for those fabulous people. Feel free to message me if you need support. Its a pain GD but mine was gone (even though I was on insulin 4x a day) within 24 hours of my sons birth.

    Yes the hospital offers numberous programs... I haven't yet taken advantage, but I should. The counselors are great though too...
    I can also contact the nutrionist. I work at the hosptial I will deliver and with the doctors who will deliver and the counselors. eTC. So its very accessible and convienient. Glad to hear ur GD was gone that soon!!!! So being insullin dependent will add on weight then? At first, I was concerned of losing what I did. Total weight loss from conceiving until now is about 15lbs. Now I am worried to add on the weight just because, apparently that is what happens as the baby grows. I am only 4months right now.
  • _tjejen_
    _tjejen_ Posts: 38
    Yes the hospital offers numberous programs... I haven't yet taken advantage, but I should. The counselors are great though too...
    I can also contact the nutrionist. I work at the hosptial I will deliver and with the doctors who will deliver and the counselors. eTC. So its very accessible and convienient. Glad to hear ur GD was gone that soon!!!! So being insullin dependent will add on weight then? At first, I was concerned of losing what I did. Total weight loss from conceiving until now is about 15lbs. Now I am worried to add on the weight just because, apparently that is what happens as the baby grows. I am only 4months right now.

    I dont know what went wrong with mine, I tried really hard to keep it under control but I still ended up on insulin. The docs said sometimes that just happens. I know that I didn't put on any weight in during the pregnancy until the insulin started and then it piled on (especially on my face and tummy).

    The diabetic team is your best bet for advice though. I really wish Id known about it because it would have made tracking heaps easier. I used to write out everything and show them to see if there was anything that could be improved. Id suggest making an appointment with them and printing out your diary for them to see if they have any suggestions.

    Also, don't be scared of going on insulin if you have to. I was, and other than putting on weight it was fine. The needles didn't hurt and my baby is happy and healthy...and that's the important bit right :)

    good luck :)
  • jiggasprincess
    jiggasprincess Posts: 14
    Thanks!! I was nervous just checking my sugar levels, but it turned out fine! I'm sure things will be OK! I did speak w/ my GD counselors and they told me to disregard the sugar intake on here. We are more focused on total carbohydrates, which is what I've been doing. Being my numbers are good, I am doing something right and I was advised to keep doing what I'm doing!!!! Thanks all! I feel much better now!
    :smile:
  • LadyL2012
    LadyL2012 Posts: 127 Member
    I wouldn't worry too much. I am always over my suagr goal.

    For example a few days ago, i ate porridge oats, homemade soup and for dinner had turkey breast, potato and salad and was 10g over my sugar limit.

    Sugar lives in fruit and carbs, so they are 'good' sugars (although you still shouldn't have too much), as long as your sugars are mainly coming from good food and you aren't too high above your goal, I wouldn't worry.
  • SickSkilz
    SickSkilz Posts: 40
    Same issue here. I do a 500 calorie breakfast of cherios and milk and then 800 the rest of the day. My breakfast is 2 cups cherios and 2.5 cups milk. the milk alone is 32 g sugar. Its budgetting me for 46g per day but realistically, I end up around 90. Before adjusting my diet, I was as high as 300 g sugar per day (I love Pepsi and MtnDew) .

    I honestly dont know how to get to 46g per day, even if I ate plain oatmeal instead of cereal for breakfast. I'd have to cut out all fruit and dairy.

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