Correlation between sugar intake and weight?

Fjcookie
Fjcookie Posts: 48
in Food and Nutrition
Is there a correlation between sugar intake and weight gain? Also, does the type of sugar (natural vs. added) play a role in watching weight? I ask because I always go over the allotted sugar amount that MFP suggests mainly because I eat alot of fruits, exceptions are those days I have some sugary alcoholic drinks or have a cookie craving. Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance.

Replies

  • carrington2005
    carrington2005 Posts: 7
    According to David Gillespie's book 'Sweet Poison' there is a direct relationship between sugar (specifically fructose) intake and weight gain. I recommend the book as i found it very interesting and thought provoking, but essentially research indicates that our bodies lack the means to turn fructose into glucose, hence it gets turned directly into fat. The type of sugar (ie, whether natural or added) isn't relevant as much as whether it is fructose or other types such as lactose which aren't as bad.
  • Pearsquared
    Pearsquared Posts: 1,656 Member
    There is a correlation, but as with many correlations, that doesn't equal causation. Rather than "Less sugar helps with weight loss" it's "People who are at a lower weight tend to consume less sugar". It's the same with eating breakfast and weight loss, eating at night and weight loss, and many other theories. Many are misconstruing correlation with causation.

    That being said, unless you have a problem with sugar levels (diabetes, etc.), you do not need to worry so much about the sugar limit in MFP, especially if most of your sugar is coming from fruit.
  • Confuzzled4ever
    Confuzzled4ever Posts: 2,860 Member
    Disclaimer *i am only an internet scientist*

    Sugar is addictive.. when you consume sugar you crave sugar.. which means you think you are hungry and you eat more. and therefore make it more likely you will gain weight. I'm talking added sugar. Sugar that occurs naturally such as that found in fruit, does not have this affect.

    I have experiemted with this very topic myself. Using myself as my test subject. When I eat a lot of high sugar foods.. i crave more of them and I eat more over all.. I also get a wicked headache when I cut it back out again.. indicitive of withdrawl symptoms..
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    Sugar (especially the sugar in fruit) is not evil....But like anything else - if you eat to much of it and don't burn it off, it will make you fat...
    I changed the MFP sugar settings to show fiber instead - a few fruits a day will not kill you...
  • Fjcookie
    Fjcookie Posts: 48
    thank you all for your help!

    Carrington200, I will check out the work you mentioned.

    Astrampe, how do you adjust the sugar setting?
  • tomg33
    tomg33 Posts: 305 Member
    If you control your caloric intake, sugar is mostly irrelevant.

    Research shows links between sugar intake and diseases because many people who are obese consume a lot of sugar, and obesity is terrible. Being fair-skinned leads you to wear sunscreen. Sunscreen doesn't give you red hair.
  • dapeterson1105
    dapeterson1105 Posts: 2
    I drink 2 protein shakes a day (breakfast & dinner) and have 1 healthy meal (lunch) with 2 snacks per day. My sugar is always over the MFP setting of 30 grams. I cut out fruits because they are higher in sugar. Should I put the fruits back in and not worry about being over the sugar amount alloted by MFP. I seem to be stuck in my weight loss even though I do cardio 4 times a week and do strength training 2 times a week with a trainer. My caloric intake, fat, protein, sodium is on target with MFP except for the sugar. I still have another 30 lbs to lose. Any ideas would be helpful.
  • brower47
    brower47 Posts: 16,356 Member
    Yes, but...

    Correlation =/= causation

    That said, as far as weight loss, no. As long as your sugar intake does not exceed your calorie goals, you will still lose weight. That being said, obviously sugar eaten in the form of fruits and veggies is going to have the added benefit of the vitamins and minerals associated with that food whereas sugar from a candy bar will not.

    You can still have both but moderation of the latter is preferable.
  • dapeterson1105
    dapeterson1105 Posts: 2
    Thank you brower47. The sugar intake is definitely not from junk food. I will switch back to my fruit and track my fiber instead. I've been stressing over this and didn't know how to correct it.

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