Going over my sugar limit with my fruit intake

shardown
shardown Posts: 258 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hello all!

I've been trying to be good and to stick within my food intake for the past 3 days but I keep going over my sugar limit with the amount of fruit I take. I've got my food diary open if anyone wants to have a look.

I really love having my fruits and have been consuming them almost daily for the past few weeks but because I'm trying to be better with the food I take, I decided to add a "Sugar" coloumn to see how much I was consuming. Boy was I surprised!

So the question is, should I be reducing the amount of fruits I'm having every day or would I be okay leaving it as is? I have developed a love for fruits now and would reach for one for a snack so if I need to replace it with something with less sugar, what would be better alternatives?

Thank you in advance :)

And please don't judge me too harshly on my food intake. These last 3 days is me on my best food behaviour after logging food consistently for 40-something days.
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Replies

  • BigRich822
    BigRich822 Posts: 681
    Fruits are great but they have a ton of sugar. I would take out some fruit and substitute it with some fresh Veggies. I limit my fruit intake and only eat vegetables.
  • shardown
    shardown Posts: 258 Member
    So things like carrots and cucumbers? I could do that instead of having as many fruits as I currently do.
  • BigRich822
    BigRich822 Posts: 681
    That would work or salad. Everyday I eat a whole pot of steamed veggies, there is none that I dont like.
  • amanda_ataraxia
    amanda_ataraxia Posts: 400 Member
    I do not think it is as serious as processed sugars. I have lost all of my weight without worrying about how many grams of sugars I was consuming because I knew I was not eating anything with processed sugars.
    I am definitely a sugar addict and not even a 90 day,"detox," of no processed sugars (no processed ANYTHING) broke my addiction. So, now I am watching my sugar from fruits and vegetables. It has been challenging because I love fresh fruit so much, but there are lower sugar options, thankfully! I am hoping this will kick my habit for good.
  • reneecgc
    reneecgc Posts: 179 Member
    My sugar has always been way over. As long as your losing weight and you are not a diabetic I wouldn't worry
    about it.
  • EccentricDad
    EccentricDad Posts: 875 Member
    I wish people didn't play the "fruit is evil" card. Fruit has it's place in a diet. The problem isn't carbs, it's people who don't know how to use them.
  • jthomasaz
    jthomasaz Posts: 5 Member
    Carrots are kinda 'carby" though so depending on what kind of eating plan you are on, that might not work either. I was doing WW for a while where all fruits and veggies are free so I was a juicing fool. Well lo and behold I wasn't really losing much weight. Probably because I was taking in way more sugar/carbs than I needed. I have swapped out my fruits with veggies. In fact, and I know this sounds yuk at first, I have been eating fresh, raw squash and zucchini and have really been loving it. Just peel it and use slice it like you would cucumbers. Or green/yellow/red peppers are really good too! And this is cooked, but I have really come to love eggplant and all of these are in season at your fruit market - or mine anyway. Happy Snacking!!
  • lyttlewon
    lyttlewon Posts: 1,118 Member
    Do you have a medical reason to limit sugar? Fruit contains a lot of quality nutrients, like loads of fiber, it would be a shame to simply forgo them.
  • Melampus
    Melampus Posts: 95 Member
    You can eat vegetables instead of fruit to eat less sugar but looking at your food diary you aren't eating lots of sugar from processed foods so it seems strange to have a sugar target so low you cannot eat a little fruit. Where did the target come from? I just checked my diary and I am eating more sugar than you and still losing weight quite nicely.
  • jthomasaz
    jthomasaz Posts: 5 Member
    ...and I do still eat my fruits, but I have just way reduced them. I agree with the above comments about fruit not being evil, but in moderation. And if your diet was really crappy, yes obviously a banana although higher in carbs/sugars is going to be much better than a donut. But for me, who didn't have that much weight to lose and eats very cleanly already, this small tweak allowed me to lose the last few lbs that I had to go. So all in all, it really depends on where you are in your lifestyle plan (I hate to use the word diet because it really isn't a diet, it is a behavior change).
  • shardown
    shardown Posts: 258 Member
    You can eat vegetables instead of fruit to eat less sugar but looking at your food diary you aren't eating lots of sugar from processed foods so it seems strange to have a sugar target so low you cannot eat a little fruit. Where did the target come from? I just checked my diary and I am eating more sugar than you and still losing weight quite nicely.
    I'm not sure where the target came from. I'm assuming it MPF as I don't recall setting a limit so that's a bit weird.
  • shardown
    shardown Posts: 258 Member
    ...and I do still eat my fruits, but I have just way reduced them. I agree with the above comments about fruit not being evil, but in moderation. And if your diet was really crappy, yes obviously a banana although higher in carbs/sugars is going to be much better than a donut. But for me, who didn't have that much weight to lose and eats very cleanly already, this small tweak allowed me to lose the last few lbs that I had to go. So all in all, it really depends on where you are in your lifestyle plan (I hate to use the word diet because it really isn't a diet, it is a behavior change).

    Well I spent the weeks before being a bit careful with what I was eating but not very strict because the last time I tried going cold turkey on everything, I ended up binging my way to a 6 kg gain. So I concentrated on making sure I was working out 5-6 days a week for a month and a bit and decided it's time to ramp up on my how I treat my food. Definetly not looking at it as a diet because I know those don't work so this is a lifestyle change.
  • shardown
    shardown Posts: 258 Member
    Do you have a medical reason to limit sugar? Fruit contains a lot of quality nutrients, like loads of fiber, it would be a shame to simply forgo them.

    Nope, no medical reason although diabetes has run rampant on my father's side of the family which is why this concerns me a bit - not enough to completely omit fruits though!
  • EccentricDad
    EccentricDad Posts: 875 Member
    You just have to know your carbs folks.

    Fiber = Carb. Role = Push your foods through your intestines.
    Sugar = Carb. Role = To provide your body instant energy to burn. This is a single or double chain molecule. Fructose and Glucose are the only two that meet his criteria.
    Starch (also known as "Other Carbohydrates" = Complex Carb. Role = To provide your body with a steady access to energy to be burned. This is a 3 or more chain molecule. Sucrose (table sugar), grains, and any other "complex carb" fits the bill. These are assumed to be better for your blood sugar but because of their longer digestion, the insulin in your blood keeps fat in your fat cells so when you exercise you're only burning the complex carb sugar.
    Sugar Alcohols = Micro Complex Carb. Role = Same as Starch but a fraction of the calories.

    Yes, it is true that protein can be turned into glucose if you need it, but it's really damn hard to be at a calorie deficit if all you're eating is protein. Not to mention really expensive and taxing on the body.

    EDIT: Fake sugars fit in with the Sugar Alcohols like Aspartame or Sucralose (Splenda) and Truvia. Only since they are chemically created, they are foreign to the body and it will likely trigger an inflammatory response.
  • lyttlewon
    lyttlewon Posts: 1,118 Member
    Do you have a medical reason to limit sugar? Fruit contains a lot of quality nutrients, like loads of fiber, it would be a shame to simply forgo them.

    Nope, no medical reason although diabetes has run rampant on my father's side of the family which is why this concerns me a bit - not enough to completely omit fruits though!

    Most fruits, with the exception of melon, are pretty low on the Glycemic Index, lower than things like potatoes or rice.
  • atxdee
    atxdee Posts: 613 Member
    I think fruit sugars are okay to eat. But I always wonder why Adam was punished for eating the apple.
  • otrlynn
    otrlynn Posts: 273 Member
    I don't see a huge amount of fruit in your diary. I'd be way more worried about the donut, strawberry milkshake, hot dog, cheese fries etc.There is no reason to eliminate fruit from your diet. It is full of vitamins and fiber. Just eat well balanced meals and cut out the refined sugar.
  • lyttlewon
    lyttlewon Posts: 1,118 Member
    I think fruit sugars are okay to eat. But I always wonder why Adam was punished for eating the apple.

    It came from the tree of Knowledge. I am pretty sure she is ok on that one.
  • Rocbola
    Rocbola Posts: 1,998 Member
    FRUIT: Eat all you want!

    If you feel like there are too many sugars, start by cutting all other sources of sugar first. Fruit is the best carbohydrate source, in my opinion.
  • lsegatti
    lsegatti Posts: 77 Member
    Consider choosing some fruits that are lower in sugar than others.....berries versus watermelon for example! You can have your fruit and eat it too!

    It always come down to choices.
  • wftiger
    wftiger Posts: 1,283 Member
    It depends on you. Some people have medical reasons for limiting all sugar even if it is in fruit. If you do not have a medical reason and choose to eat more then 2-3 servings then why not if it fits. I wouldn't forgo veggies for more fruit as veggies have vitamins that you need as well and in different quantities then fruit.

    If you live in cold part of country like me, then you need to take advantage of fruit while you can as soon it will be too expensive or taste like wood.
  • happythermia
    happythermia Posts: 374
    I eat the hell out of fruit and I'm losing just fine.

    If you feel like it's making you stall, then cut back. Otherwise, enjoy!
  • shardown
    shardown Posts: 258 Member
    I don't see a huge amount of fruit in your diary. I'd be way more worried about the donut, strawberry milkshake, hot dog, cheese fries etc.There is no reason to eliminate fruit from your diet. It is full of vitamins and fiber. Just eat well balanced meals and cut out the refined sugar.
    Like I said in my OP, I haven't been very good with my food intake prior to the last 3 days and I'm well aware that I was eating too much over the weekend. The last few days though, I have been eating more fruit. For instance today, I would have consumed 45g of sugar from fruits when my target that has been put in by MFP is 25.
  • shardown
    shardown Posts: 258 Member
    It depends on you. Some people have medical reasons for limiting all sugar even if it is in fruit. If you do not have a medical reason and choose to eat more then 2-3 servings then why not if it fits. I wouldn't forgo veggies for more fruit as veggies have vitamins that you need as well and in different quantities then fruit.

    If you live in cold part of country like me, then you need to take advantage of fruit while you can as soon it will be too expensive or taste like wood.

    It's winter over here so lots of kiwis (which I love!), mandarins and pears for now.
  • GadgetGuy2
    GadgetGuy2 Posts: 291 Member
    I also am watching my sugar intake. It was easy getting the salt down, compared to the sugar (Type 2 is in my family also).

    As mentioned above, its the rate that sugar is absorbed that is important. The topic can get quite complex, when you consider what other nutrients can do to the insulin balance and other metabolic pathways.

    Simple rule of thumb "seems to be" eat natural sugars in a form that has lots of fiber, as the fiber causes the sugar (mono or di-saccharides) to be absorbed into the blood stream slower.
  • seashman
    seashman Posts: 51
    Generally the type of sugar you want to avoid is added sugar. Unless you're diabetic or have some other medical issue, there's no real reason to limit naturally occurring sugars, such as those found in fruit. MFP doesn't have the capacity to differentiate between naturally occurring sugars and added sugar, so you just need to keep an eye on it yourself. (:
  • Drussander
    Drussander Posts: 266 Member
    Well if it makes you feel any better, we share >98% of the same DNA with chimpanzees....and they are frugivores, or "fruit eaters". So I don't really see fruit sugar as a big problem unless you are diabetic. I go over my sugar allowance by 10-15 grams, but it is all fruit sugar and not cane or other processed sugar. So I wouldn't worry about it unless you are not losing weight or you are over your calorie allowance.

    From ipzoosites.org:

    The chimpanzee diet consists mainly of fruit (48%), but they also eat leaves and leaf buds (25%), and around 27% of their diet consists of a mixture of seeds, blossoms, stems, pith, bark and resin. Chimpanzees are highly specialized frugivores and preferentially eat fruit, even when it is not abundant. They supplement their mainly vegetarian diet with insects, birds, birds' eggs, honey, soil, and small to medium-sized mammals

    In fact, according to some, we are born fruit eaters!:

    http://www.scribd.com/doc/17111888/Science-Verifies-That-Humans-Are-Frugivores
  • shardown
    shardown Posts: 258 Member
    Thanks for all the advice guys! I'll keep at my fruit intake and if it hinders my weight loss, I'll cut down.
  • mimina578
    mimina578 Posts: 8
    Yep! Definately dont take fruit out of the equation, no one is really wrong, but go after low sugar fruits such as berries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, etc. some stone fruit like plums and peaches, and remember the riper the fruit, the more sugar it has... :wink:
  • anna0478
    anna0478 Posts: 505 Member
    I used to worry about my sugar from fruit as well, but then I figured, I cut out all/most of the processed sugars, so since the fruit sugars are natural, no biggie. I took that column out of MFP, and now I concentrate on lowering my sodium instead :)

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