sugar sugar, ohhh honey honey... counting sugars??

tiatiamaria · January 2013

I posted this under nutrition but I felt like it was fitting in this catagory too.. hope that isn't against the rules.

Anyone out there watching their sugars closely? My sis lost a ton of weight by cutting sugar alone. She doesn't even count calories! I've noticed that I am consistently over on sugar but I'm thinking I should try hard to stay within my range. This is poor timing because I just bought a bunch of low calorie icecream treats...darnit.

MFP gives me 191 carbs and 28 sugars. I am always under on carbs and over on sugar. I get so confused because I thought carbs were digested like sugar. Anyway, when I count my sugars, should I subtract the natural sugars like fruit, greek yogurt, etc or will they turn to fat too? Here's an example. Today, I've had plain greek yogurt, blueberries and almonds only and I am already up to 16 sugars. I'd assume I can subtract my naturally occuring sugars in greek yogurt and hopefully the blueberries... right?

Is a low sugar diet basically a low carb diet?

** I've read a lot about people who are insulin resistant or who can not process sugars like other people. I have also heard that sugar is what is going to turn to fat if its not burned off. I agree that you could lose weight by counting calories alone, but I just wonder if you would lose it a little faster and control cravings more easily by laying off the sugar...

What do you guys think?

trogalicious · January 2013

I don't count sugars based on MFP.

drusilla126 · January 2013

MFP doesn't distinguish between real sugar and added sugar. Added sugar is what should be limited (I've heard to 32g a day) but real sugar from fruits and stuff is okay. My sugars are always around 150 on here and it freaks me out but oh well. There seems to be sugar in everything!

Sweetsugar0424 · January 2013

My breakfast alone brings me over the MFP daily allowable sugars so no, I don't track sugar intake. Fruit has sugar, but it good for you. For me it's more about getting as little processed sugars as possible and not just cutting all sugar.

sevin2 · January 2013

I just had this same discuss with some co-workers, because MFP gave me 20 sugars a day, and I hadn't been watching that. I added it to my journal yesterday and was amazed at how often I am double in my sugars - mostly from things like my greek yogurt, or (a bad choice) of white bread. It interested me how much sugar is in things you don't expect it to be! So I don't know the answer to your questions, but I'm know I'm going to try to pay more attention the sugar content in my food and see if it makes a difference!

brenda4life · January 2013

Ditto what was said. I am trying to limit my sugar intake, so I avoid any processed sugar and I limit my fruit to 1-2 a day.

lucasriggs · January 2013

MFP doesn't distinguish between real sugar and added sugar. Added sugar is what should be limited (I've heard to 32g a day) but real sugar from fruits and stuff is okay. My sugars are always around 150 on here and it freaks me out but oh well. There seems to be sugar in everything!

There is no difference between 'real sugar' and 'added sugar', they are treated by your body in the exact same way.

Unless you got problems with insulin, sugar should be of no concern. You wont lose weight faster by eating less or more sugar.
All sugars will be converted into fat if you eat too much calories during the day, it doesn't matter what the source.

trogalicious · January 2013

So I don't know the answer to your questions, but I'm know I'm going to try to pay more attention the sugar content in my food and see if it makes a difference!

after my loss, I haven't noticed a change in sugar making a difference... ever. Then again, I'm not everyone, but it hasn't made a difference for me. After 150 lbs, calorie deficit has been the difference-maker.

aakokopelli7 · January 2013

I don't count sugars based on MFP.

^^ This.... I think fruit sugars are Ok! Soda and Twinkies sugars are BAD. Tracking Sugars on here will have you in the neg in a hurry if you eat a lot of fruit.

mmapags · January 2013

I don't count sugars based on MFP.

^^ This.... I think fruit sugars are Ok! Soda and Twinkies sugars are BAD. Tracking Sugars on here will have you in the neg in a hurry if you eat a lot of fruit.

Sugar is sugar. There are not bad sugars and good sugars and your body does not know the source. It is pretty useless to track sugar. It is a carbohydrate. Hit your carb macro for the day and you'll be fine.

Chief_Rocka · January 2013

I count them, but don't restrict them.

I just watch the numbers go up and say, "cool story bro."

FitBeto · January 2013

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/845000-whats-a-caloire

BarackMeLikeAHurricane · January 2013

I count all sugars, BUT the only reason I track sugar in the first place is because if I eat more than like 40g a day or so I start craving more sugar. I usually stay under 20-25g a day, but always under 30g.