Eating fruit = excess of sugar?

nookeetoone
nookeetoone Posts: 72
in Food and Nutrition
x__x Is anyone else worried about this? After I put sugar on the macro-thingy on my food tracker I noticed that very often i take in waay way more sugar than the goal tells me to.

For example, I think I might have eaten almost the entire 6 recommended fruit a day in one smoothie... And the counter says that it totals to about 50 gr of sugar!! x__x How on earth can one eat 6 fruits and not go over that amount? ... of man.. if I have to restrict fruit cos of sugar intake, I'll be sad.
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Replies

  • veggiemodel
    veggiemodel Posts: 22 Member
    Don't do it! I follow a plant based diet and 80% or more of what I eatis fruit. I consume more than 200g of sugar coming from them and I'm losing weight! Carbs from fruit are NOT the problem.
  • veggiemodel
    veggiemodel Posts: 22 Member
    Btw, 1g of carb is 4 calories, 1g of protein is 4 calories, 1g of fat is 9 calories... Fat is the problem.
  • healthyKYgirl
    healthyKYgirl Posts: 272 Member
    The USDA recommends not having more than 40g of ADDED SUGAR per day. But fruit doesn't have ADDED sugar. It has naturally occurring sugar. Unfortunately, MFP can't tell the difference. So either up your sugar on your tracker, ignore it if you only have it from natural sources (fruit, veggies, dairy), or add up what you have from added sources like candy separately and focus on keeping that number low for added sugar.

    Edit: To Change your Tracker Numbers: Go to My Home->Goals->Custom Goals. You can up the grams there.
  • TineeLambrini
    TineeLambrini Posts: 37 Member
    I have the same problem. I may have to give up fruit so I can have a sugar in my coffee. I know that's not great but I have already cut out so much and I can't drink coffee without. Can't really cut the coffee either as I am a sleep-deprived momma!!
  • highstandards
    highstandards Posts: 10
    Make the difference between added sugar and sugar contained in fruits, dairy and veggies (carrots, tomatoes, peas, etc.) and aim for a ratio of 1/3 of added sugar. Something like 30g of added sugar for a total of 90g of sugar for the day.

    Fruit smoothies are bad because of the spike of insulin and because they will ruin your teeth (acidic + sugar) ;), but your daily carbs intake overall is more important when losing weight. Eating less sugar is more of a healthy thing to do is you want to spare your liver, gut, etc.
  • TheVimFuego
    TheVimFuego Posts: 2,412 Member
    Btw, 1g of carb is 4 calories, 1g of protein is 4 calories, 1g of fat is 9 calories... Fat is the problem.

    Demonising anything is a problem.

    We need dietary fat for all kinds of reasons. Is fish oil a problem? Of course not.

    Like everything there is good and bad ... In the case of fruit sugar I'd agree with you that this is good.
  • nookeetoone
    nookeetoone Posts: 72
    Well.. I avoid 'added' sugar at all costs... Even when I buy juice or dried fruits. I make sure it has no unhealthy additives.... So I guess natural sugar should be ok?

    My other concern is that fruit contains a lot of fructose, which a lot of studies say its bad... But then.. I think back to the caveman ages :P And they had plenty of fruit, didn't they? I guess avoiding added sugar is a good point.


    The funny thing is... I went into this MFP thing trying to BEAT my sugar addiction... but watching the sugar levels just.... Tells me that maybe I moved my sugar addiction to something a little healthier >_<
  • Mrs16
    Mrs16 Posts: 86
    Try eating low sugar fruits - bananas count as two fruits in my program.
  • mhcoss
    mhcoss Posts: 220
    Btw, 1g of carb is 4 calories, 1g of protein is 4 calories, 1g of fat is 9 calories... Fat is the problem.

    fat is not the problem actually lol.

    Caloric surplus is the problem. your body needs fats to function.
  • veggiemodel
    veggiemodel Posts: 22 Member
    Btw, 1g of carb is 4 calories, 1g of protein is 4 calories, 1g of fat is 9 calories... Fat is the problem.

    Demonising anything is a problem.

    We need dietary fat for all kinds of reasons. Is fish oil a problem? Of course not.

    Like everything there is good and bad ... In the case of fruit sugar I'd agree with you that this is good.

    Well, lemme fix this, excess fat is a problem (and for me animal fat is a problem too).
  • ChrisC_77
    ChrisC_77 Posts: 271 Member
    I have the same problem. I may have to give up fruit so I can have a sugar in my coffee. I know that's not great but I have already cut out so much and I can't drink coffee without. Can't really cut the coffee either as I am a sleep-deprived momma!!

    One thing you might try. And I am only saying this as I remain at a safe distance... ;) Caffeine in moderation is fine. But if are at the point where you need coffee to become alert and awake, you might be consuming to much caffeine. Once the caffeine is out of your system for a week or so and you start your day with a more invigorating drink. (like juicing) you might even have more energy. Have you attempted to sweeten coffee with Stevia? Good luck! with your journey!
  • j__mariee
    j__mariee Posts: 3
    Fruit is natural sugar, personally i would recommend sticking to one serving of fruit per day. If your finding your sugar intake to high for one smoothie maybe decrease the size of said smoothie?

    Sugar is detrimental to achieving your ideal body! As yummy as it is, one piece a day and in the morning if possible.
  • nookeetoone
    nookeetoone Posts: 72
    Well I guess I could try with veggie smoothies... Problem is Im not sure my blender can blend veggies... they are substantially harder >_< murh. Well I will try eating less sugar though... And more veggies. But oh man was that smoothie yummy...
  • TineeLambrini
    TineeLambrini Posts: 37 Member
    I have the same problem. I may have to give up fruit so I can have a sugar in my coffee. I know that's not great but I have already cut out so much and I can't drink coffee without. Can't really cut the coffee either as I am a sleep-deprived momma!!

    One thing you might try. And I am only saying this as I remain at a safe distance... ;) Caffeine in moderation is fine. But if are at the point where you need coffee to become alert and awake, you might be consuming to much caffeine. Once the caffeine is out of your system for a week or so and you start your day with a more invigorating drink. (like juicing) you might even have more energy. Have you attempted to sweeten coffee with Stevia? Good luck! with your journey!

    Yep, you are right, I know :) I used to drink a lot more coffee, have limited it to 2/3 a day now. I think it is just a psychological crutch more than anything, coffee time equals break time. I have tried stevia, but really don't like it. I know it is a problem that needs to be addressed, I am making it a priority.

    Thanks
  • whimsy38
    whimsy38 Posts: 158 Member
    Sugar in any form lead to a blood sugar spike and fall, which can lead to you feeling hungry kind of quickly. That's why I've gotten big into veggies for snacks.
  • elyelyse
    elyelyse Posts: 1,454 Member
    x__x Is anyone else worried about this? After I put sugar on the macro-thingy on my food tracker I noticed that very often i take in waay way more sugar than the goal tells me to.

    For example, I think I might have eaten almost the entire 6 recommended fruit a day in one smoothie... And the counter says that it totals to about 50 gr of sugar!! x__x How on earth can one eat 6 fruits and not go over that amount? ... of man.. if I have to restrict fruit cos of sugar intake, I'll be sad.

    fruit is awesome and as most others have said, fruit sugar is usually ok for most people... however...
    a smoothie that contains 6 servings of fruit? that's a LOT of fruit sugar in one sitting. Plus, where did you get the "6 recommended fruits a day" number from? I *think* its 6 servings of "fruits and vegetables" and is supposed to be heavier on the veggie side.
  • FitToLead
    FitToLead Posts: 275 Member
    Good on you DeadVim, I agree.
  • Unknown
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  • ChrisC_77
    ChrisC_77 Posts: 271 Member
    Btw, 1g of carb is 4 calories, 1g of protein is 4 calories, 1g of fat is 9 calories... Fat is the problem.

    It's not just about calories. it's about how your body metabolizes foods. Sugars turn into fat.

    I watched this about a year ago and found it interesting.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0zD1gj0pXk
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,224 Member
    Btw, 1g of carb is 4 calories, 1g of protein is 4 calories, 1g of fat is 9 calories... Fat is the problem.

    It's not just about calories. it's about how your body metabolizes foods. Sugars turn into fat.

    I watched this about a year ago and found it interesting.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0zD1gj0pXk
    lol, sugar doesn't turn into fat........
  • freerange
    freerange Posts: 1,722 Member
    Btw, 1g of carb is 4 calories, 1g of protein is 4 calories, 1g of fat is 9 calories... Fat is the problem.

    Well, that statement is not true.
  • freerange
    freerange Posts: 1,722 Member
    Btw, 1g of carb is 4 calories, 1g of protein is 4 calories, 1g of fat is 9 calories... Fat is the problem.

    It's not just about calories. it's about how your body metabolizes foods. Sugars turn into fat.

    I watched this about a year ago and found it interesting.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0zD1gj0pXk
    lol, sugar doesn't turn into fat........

    Well, yes it does, if you have an excess amount, just like protein, or fat
  • laddyboy
    laddyboy Posts: 1,565 Member
    Sugar is sugar...doesn't matter what the source...the body sees it the same way. Once sugar enters the bood system a insulin response is produced, fat burning stops and fat storage begins.
  • ChrisC_77
    ChrisC_77 Posts: 271 Member
    Btw, 1g of carb is 4 calories, 1g of protein is 4 calories, 1g of fat is 9 calories... Fat is the problem.

    It's not just about calories. it's about how your body metabolizes foods. Sugars turn into fat.

    I watched this about a year ago and found it interesting.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0zD1gj0pXk
    lol, sugar doesn't turn into fat........

    Watch all the parts of that video please. It's about an hour. Now, I have been aware that excess sugars turn into fat stores for a long time. But all the chain reaction events starting before birth was startling. Please watch. It is eye opening. All the best.
  • ninhogorgfan
    ninhogorgfan Posts: 15 Member
    Fruit is only a problem if you are a diabetic. No person i know has become diabetic from consuming too many fruits. You can eat as much fruit as you like.
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,224 Member
    Btw, 1g of carb is 4 calories, 1g of protein is 4 calories, 1g of fat is 9 calories... Fat is the problem.

    It's not just about calories. it's about how your body metabolizes foods. Sugars turn into fat.

    I watched this about a year ago and found it interesting.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0zD1gj0pXk
    lol, sugar doesn't turn into fat........

    Well, yes it does, if you have an excess amount, just like protein, or fat
    He said it wasn't about calories and sugar made people fat. Excess calories do that and I really thought that this wasn't news that it was common sense that if people ate too much they gain weight, apparently not, according to that post sugar makes us fat.
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    Btw, 1g of carb is 4 calories, 1g of protein is 4 calories, 1g of fat is 9 calories... Fat is the problem.

    Proof that everyone is different. I've been keeping my sugars to 30g or less if possible. I don't eat much fruit mostly berries if I do. For me this makes a huge difference to my losses. I also, keep carbs to 120g.

    I easily eat my 5 portions of fruit and veg per day most days. I eat lots of any salad and vegetables. I especially max out on green vegetables as they are the least calories and carbs.

    If my carbs creep up all weight loss stops, no matter my deficit. Fats are not the problem carbs are. Everyone is different and you have to find what works for YOUR body! Nobody else's. Having said that everyone who tries my approach is successful.

    A sugar is a sugar, your body knows no different between natural, and not natural. Just my spin on it! It's working mighty well for me.

    Edited to add... I eat 30-35% fat, 35 protein, 30-35% carbs. My blood work is perfect. Try to make them good fats. I really don't believe fats make you fat, I believe carbs do. Through out my weight loss journey my body has proves this to me many times.

    Zara x
  • ApexLeader
    ApexLeader Posts: 580 Member
    Btw, 1g of carb is 4 calories, 1g of protein is 4 calories, 1g of fat is 9 calories... Fat is the problem.

    this isn't usually true. carbs are less satiating for most people . you only have to eat 2.25 grams of carbs for every 1 gram of fat in order to have the same caloric intake of carbs, and most people eat far more than 2.25 grams of carbs per gram of fat, thus their problem is carbs.

    not only that, but carbohydrates, sugar especially, cause strange behaviors in dopamine receptors of the brain.

    http://journals.lww.com/neuroreport/Abstract/2001/11160/Excessive_sugar_intake_alters_binding_to_dopamine.35.aspx

    to where these carbohydrates are acting basically like drugs where the brain interprets intake as euphoric and the body responds to them as if they are a pleasant drug. fat doesn't do this. this leads to overeating carbs by several magnitudes.

    so they aren't as filling and they cause the reward center of the brain to become overactive (leading to the brain wanting more and even addiction like behavior) and they cause insulin spikes and increased fat storage.
  • JessicaRobin67
    JessicaRobin67 Posts: 275 Member
    Make the difference between added sugar and sugar contained in fruits, dairy and veggies (carrots, tomatoes, peas, etc.) and aim for a ratio of 1/3 of added sugar. Something like 30g of added sugar for a total of 90g of sugar for the day.

    Fruit smoothies are bad because of the spike of insulin and because they will ruin your teeth (acidic + sugar) ;), but your daily carbs intake overall is more important when losing weight. Eating less sugar is more of a healthy thing to do is you want to spare your liver, gut, etc.

    I have heard smoothies are good for you esp. when you add fiber to help slow that spike... example... I use beans(you can't even taste), natural unsweetened peanut butter, etc. Just my opinion.
  • trud72
    trud72 Posts: 1,912 Member
    Sugar is sugar...doesn't matter what the source...the body sees it the same way. Once sugar enters the bood system a insulin response is produced, fat burning stops and fat storage begins.

    YAY this is right /\
    but i do love fruit and have WAY too much!
    be warned too skimmed milk has alot of sugar in to and throws me over EVERYDAY! grrrr :grumble:

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