Sugar

melcookson · February 2013

Ok, so I'm doing weightwatchers at the moment and really want to clue myself up on MFP before fully switching over to calorie counting.
I have realised, a lot of my problem is the amount of sugar I eat, I seem to crave sweet things, and although this is all eaten within my Propoints limit, it cannot be healthy!
Have other people been in a similar situation? They hAve an incredibly sweet tooth and have gotten into a routine of eating sugary things every day? Any advice on how to break this chain?
I guess with weightwatchers, because fruit is "free" you have a tendency to sometimes fill yourself up on that without counting the calories in it.
Eating sugar means you crave more sugar right?!
Any advice welcome, and please add me as a friend

x

underwater77 · February 2013

I have a sweet tooth - I satisfy it. I just make sure I stay within my calories.

Sometimes I have 100 cal dark chocolate bar, other days (like right now!) I eat an apple with cinnamon-sugar sprinkled on top, which satisfies it for me too. Other people have ice cream, hot chocolate, etc.

Personally, I have found that when I totally cut something - anything - out of my diet, it tends to consume my thoughts until I have it. So, I really do try to make room for the things I crave.

But if you aren't sure that you can have sugar in moderation, it may be best to cut it out completely and perhaps re-introduce slowly and after you feel like you have pretty good control over your temptations.

melcookson · February 2013

Thankyou for the advice! Cinnamon sugar sounds lovely, I live in England and I don't think we have anywhere near the range of amazing foods which you have in the US! Visiting in the Summer though, can't wait

an8e · February 2013

I dont care about natural sugar found in unprocessed foods. I workout most days, so I think a bit of extra (natural) sugar found in fresh fruit need not even count it as sugar: its when we start heaping that white stuff into our processed foods and drinks that we get into trouble, I think.

As a person who used to have three (generous) teaspoons of sugar in her coffee (plus a chocolate), a few times a day: I realised I did have a sugar problem though: because diabetes is pretty common in my family, I made an active decision to try and cut back on 'added' sugar.

But I couldnt cut it out straight away. I cut it back little by little. I cut back from 3 tsp to 2 1/2, then 2 and a bit, then 2 until I was finally down to 1 tsp... and then I did something I NEVER thought I would do: I switched to stevia- another natural product (like sugar) but only 1/3 of the cals. Honestly, the stevia didnt taste so great, and I only used 1/2 tsp of stevia per cup of coffee... until I got sick of it.

I am now a person who drinks a coffee with no sugar (never thought that would happen).

I swapped my chocolates & lollies for sugarfree dark chocloate- Its naturally sweetened, without added sugar. And because its dark, rich chocolate, you cant eat too much of it. Sometimes, if I'm really craving some rubbish food, I will have some rich brie or blue cheese- the creamy texture and the rich taste means I feel satisfied much quicker. I think its pretty impossible to eat a whole package of brie or blue cheese in one sitting, so cost-wise: it works out cheaper than lollies and chocolates, in the long run.

So it is possible, it just takes a bit of time.

catsinpajamas · February 2013

I have struggled with sugar in the past. I have had to have zero tolerance periods so I could remember how to exercise self control. Now, I'm just very discriminating about my sweets. If I'm going to do it, I make sure it's GOOD, and its sensibly portioned. I also try not to go more than once a day with dessert.

blu_meanie_ca · February 2013

I had to cut sugar out completely. I do now eat the occasional serving of fruit, but, refined sugar leads to cravings for foods with more sugar... ect. I'm that way with all carbs really. I found keeping my total carbs low elminated carb cravings, and cheat days do lead to cravings for more cheating. It is getting easier, but, I suspect I will always have to keep my carbs low.

kali31337 · February 2013

I like chocolate for breakfast so I eat a 90 calorie Fiber One brownie everyday before I head off to the gym. Works perfectly!

CoderGal · February 2013

Ok, so I'm doing weightwatchers at the moment and really want to clue myself up on MFP before fully switching over to calorie counting.
I have realised, a lot of my problem is the amount of sugar I eat, I seem to crave sweet things, and although this is all eaten within my Propoints limit, it cannot be healthy!
Have other people been in a similar situation? They hAve an incredibly sweet tooth and have gotten into a routine of eating sugary things every day? Any advice on how to break this chain?
I guess with weightwatchers, because fruit is "free" you have a tendency to sometimes fill yourself up on that without counting the calories in it.
Eating sugar means you crave more sugar right?!
Any advice welcome, and please add me as a friend x

Sugar cannot delay weight loss unless you're eating more then your energy expenditure. If your worried because the numbers are read and you don't have diabetes or something of the like, I wouldn't worry about it. Especially if you're going over because of fruit.

If it's natural sugars you're getting your getting fiber and nutrients too, so I wouldn't worry about it.
Sugar gives the body energy. If you didn't have sugar, you'd be dead. Actually, it is the only source of energy for the brain and red blood cells. Yay simple carbohydrates. The central nervous system requires glucose as its primary fuel. I think instead of people fearing particular things they should learn more about it and concentrate on what they're missing in their diet, not what they already have.

The worse thing about most processed sugary foods is that they lack nutrients. So you could end up eating a crap load of it and still feel hungry because your body still wants something it is missing.

Synapze · February 2013

WW - MFP here. So glad i made the switch.

I use Watermelon, Green Grapes and Smoothies as my sweet tooth sub.

Ive only looked in the pantry once for something sweet in the past 5 weeks, and that was just due to habit.

Fruit works.

kapoorpk · February 2013

Don't get hung up on sugar, what really matters are the total carbs you consume. If you had 3 major meals a day (breakfast, lunch & dinner) with no more than 45 carbs, low fat, about 24 gms of protein and high in fiber, coupled with 2 smaller snack meals with no more than 20 carbs, you would see positive effects. Although, carbs is the thing to watch, you can further improve their impact by having more complex vs. simple carbs, i.e. more whole grains, wheat based products etc. If you must have something sweet, try getting sugar free sweet products to get you through those intolerable cravings. good luck

NVREST · February 2013

Find recipes to make with sugar substitute... and get use to it.. sometimes it is ok of course to get some regular sugar...

I do not eat anything sugary by choice... just because it is way a hell of a lot sugar... I do not crave it normally...

There is enough sugar on many things we eat regularly including fruit or course..

jaredyabuddy · February 2013

Its all about energy in energy out. sugar isnt unhealthy. Its unhealthy if you eat nothing but sugar. If it fits, have a candy bar once in while

benol1 · February 2013

Greetings Mel,
May I suggest that you eliminate it from your diet. You will, in time, get used to it.
You may find weight loss easier and feel so much better.
kind regards,

Ben

lauriem1966 · February 2013

I also find the more sugar I eat, the more I crave it. Even some natural sugars....bananas are tough for me, if I eat a banana, I usually want another, or something else sweet. I stopped having sweetener in my coffee back in January and most of the time do really well avoiding sweets but if I have a little bit...I end up having a lot. Much better for me to say no completely. I really wish I could be one of those "everything in moderation" people but alas, I cannot

WinnerVictorious · February 2013

Ok, so I'm doing weightwatchers at the moment and really want to clue myself up on MFP before fully switching over to calorie counting.
I have realised, a lot of my problem is the amount of sugar I eat, I seem to crave sweet things, and although this is all eaten within my Propoints limit, it cannot be healthy!
Have other people been in a similar situation? They hAve an incredibly sweet tooth and have gotten into a routine of eating sugary things every day? Any advice on how to break this chain?
I guess with weightwatchers, because fruit is "free" you have a tendency to sometimes fill yourself up on that without counting the calories in it.
Eating sugar means you crave more sugar right?!
Any advice welcome, and please add me as a friend x

Sugar cannot delay weight loss unless you're eating more then your energy expenditure. If your worried because the numbers are read and you don't have diabetes or something of the like, I wouldn't worry about it. Especially if you're going over because of fruit.

If it's natural sugars you're getting your getting fiber and nutrients too, so I wouldn't worry about it.
Sugar gives the body energy. If you didn't have sugar, you'd be dead. Actually, it is the only source of energy for the brain and red blood cells. Yay simple carbohydrates. The central nervous system requires glucose as its primary fuel. I think instead of people fearing particular things they should learn more about it and concentrate on what they're missing in their diet, not what they already have.

The worse thing about most processed sugary foods is that they lack nutrients. So you could end up eating a crap load of it and still feel hungry because your body still wants something it is missing.

^ this.

one thing i would add is that refined sugar is calorie dense (45 calories per tbsp), so you don't want to go overboard, but as long as you don't exceed your TDEE, there's nothing wrong with some refined sugar in your diet.

Sugar

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