The Sugar Strike

Recently I changed the settings for my fitness pal to see how much sugar I was having each day and i was HORRIFED that I am almost triple the reccomended 24g!!!! I know this is because of all the fruit I've been having which I thought was SUPPOSED to help with the weight loss but a diet high in sugar cannot be good for you can it?
Can anyone make any suggestions on what to do? or is facing the same problem?
many thanks :)

Replies

  • RobynLB
    RobynLB Posts: 617 Member
    Naturaly occuring sugar is not something to worry about if you're not diabetic.
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,272 Member
    Naturaly occuring sugar is not something to worry about if you're not diabetic.
    Sugar is not something to worry about if you're not diabetic, and fits your deficit and nutrient goals.
  • justmyalias
    justmyalias Posts: 153 Member
    I am over on sugar every day - 2-3 pieces of fruit can put you right over. No worries.
    It would be more concerning if you didn't eat fruit, and it was sucrose (junk food/ added sugars) putting you over...
  • craigineson
    craigineson Posts: 88 Member
    When people say "naturally occurring sugar", I assume they mean fructose (and some glucose) which occurs in fruit?

    Fructose is the worst kind of sugar... Unlike other sugars, which are readily available to the body, fructose requires processing by the liver. This processing path-way increases de novo lipogenesis (new fat creation, stuck right on the liver) and can contribute in the long term to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (http://1.usa.gov/SCBKzJ)

    I would always tell people to limit fructose consumption, and instead get fibre and other anti-oxidant nutrients through leafy green veg.

    (the point being, doesn't matter if you're diabetic or not, sugar is an important thing to keep low, especially fructose)
  • tommygirl15
    tommygirl15 Posts: 1,012 Member
    I choose ignorance!

    Seriously, almost EVERYONE here goes over on MFPs sugar recommendations, don't sweat it too much. Concentrate on fitting foods into your daily calorie goals, sugar or not... and you'll be golden.
  • lucyricky2
    lucyricky2 Posts: 450 Member
    I also count sugars too. I try my best to stay under 24 but when i do go over my excercise helps me stay below the amount allowed
  • Firefox7275
    Firefox7275 Posts: 2,040 Member
    Most healthcare professionals don't count the natural (intrinsic) sugars in dairy products and whole fresh fruit. Be sure you are eating bright or dark coloured fruits tho for the most nutrients, berries are low sugar, stuffed full of antioxidants and many of us don't eat enough blue/ purple produce if we don't eat blueberries, blackberries and the like. Humans evolved to eat fruit so a healthy person can process it just fine, but avoid juice and limit dried fruit.
  • Amanda82691
    Amanda82691 Posts: 298 Member
    If most of your sugar is coming from natural sources, I personally wouldn't worry about that number and focus more on carbs. Thats my opinion. :)
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    please see my friends thread http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/809373-ok-so-i-ran-a-30-day-report-on-my-sugar-intake

    he eats lots of sugar. he's fine.
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,262 Member
    When people say "naturally occurring sugar", I assume they mean fructose (and some glucose) which occurs in fruit?

    Fructose is the worst kind of sugar... Unlike other sugars, which are readily available to the body, fructose requires processing by the liver. This processing path-way increases de novo lipogenesis (new fat creation, stuck right on the liver) and can contribute in the long term to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (http://1.usa.gov/SCBKzJ)

    I would always tell people to limit fructose consumption, and instead get fibre and other anti-oxidant nutrients through leafy green veg.

    (the point being, doesn't matter if you're diabetic or not, sugar is an important thing to keep low, especially fructose)
    Guess what other material is processed by the liver, fat. Generally fatty liver is caused by obesity, basically chronic overeating, not fructose on it own.....gheez. Also not all fruit have large amounts of fructose in them, some actually have half the amount of glucose. Basically if someone is dieting or maintaining a decent weight, sugar isn't a problem.
  • Cranktastic
    Cranktastic Posts: 1,517 Member
    meh
  • Mawskittykat
    Mawskittykat Posts: 241 Member
    I was trying to watch sugar also because I found I retain fluids as bad from dugars overeating as I did from sodium. But that's just me. Right now I am trying something totally different to get me over my plateau so I really ain't watching any of it
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,272 Member
    If most of your sugar is coming from natural sources, I personally wouldn't worry about that number and focus more on carbs. Thats my opinion. :)
    They are all natural sources. Sugar is sugar. Your intake should allow you to feel full between meals.
  • Isla30
    Isla30 Posts: 7 Member
    Thanks guys for your help. I'm going to try to lower my sugar intake by eating vegetables instead as they generally have a lower sugar content. I am also going to look up fruit with a lower sugar content to try and reduce it because at least then I'll be getting my 5 a day even if it does mean my sugar is over the limit...
  • Isla30
    Isla30 Posts: 7 Member
    Thanks! it's reasuring that I am not the only one! it seriously shocked me when I was looking through my food diary after tracking the sugar intake. :)