Need Help

suda66
suda66 Posts: 2
in Health and Weight Loss
I've noticed that when logging my food I am always over my sugar and fats, I seem to have a grip on carbs and protein. I struggle trying to find the "right" diet to follow to the point that its confusing. No carb, low carb, No fat, Low fat, All fat Good fats, Mediterrainian, South Beach Atkins, Weight Watchers, HCG, I've tried them all....All I want to do is to eat Healthy and lose weight, but I'm not sure what is best anymore, I know I do better not eating "the white stuff"...I do believe its the sugar that is keeping me frim losing, What are the best foods to eat, I was shocked after I had a banana one morning and that used up almost all my sugar for the day...Any suggestions?????

Replies

  • rachseby
    rachseby Posts: 285 Member
    I'm having the same problem w/ sugar and would like advice too!
  • ladynocturne
    ladynocturne Posts: 865 Member
    The sugar in a banana is completely different than the kind in an Oreo. Unfortunately MFP doesn't really have a separate place for Complex Sugars.

    I would try to focus mainly on getting full on your calorie goal for the day, rather than getting nervous about your carbs, sugar, and protein. You will lose weight as long as you have a safe caloric deficit everyday.
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    Unless you have a medical condition, I would not worry about the sugar.
  • leannerae40
    leannerae40 Posts: 200 Member
    If you want to have a look at my diary I've been okay on sugars for the most part. I noted that the bananas are high as well, but seem to have done okay still eating them (one a day and usually in the morning.

    I'm on a high protein diet and taking in about 1200 calories a day. I go over my protein if possible. Helps keep me full longer and ground turkey has been a saviour! This is a tough one but I usually only choose to monitor my protein intake and that seems to have helped me reduce my sugar intake. Stick to high protein HOMEMADE items...then you know for sure what's in them.

    Also, it takes extra time in the day to properly plan...make sure you allow yourself the time you need to do it right. I found that if I don't pack my lunch, or grab on the go, my sugars can take a hit.

    Except for the Strawberry Banana Smoothies of course!!
    Good luck!
  • lilcassers
    lilcassers Posts: 163
    Low carb for the win. When you "no" something, you will lose your mind and fail.

    "Low Fat" or "diet" normally means "fake added nasty added chemicals" I stick to regular versions and moderate.

    When looking at sugars, fruit does not count. It is natural and good for you. It metabolizes different than a candy bar does.

    Whole wheat and white breads are bad. Try going to sprouted whole grains. (found in the cold, organic section)

    "Diets" don't work... but a permanent life style change does.

    I try and focus on eating clean, whole, natural foods with 5 ingredients or less in it. I don't count calories as much as I make sure I am getting necessary ingredients.

    If you want a "DIET" to go by, the "diabetic diet" is the best. Low carb, lean proteins, fruits, and veggies. 5 small meals a day. Simple, to the point, whole nutrition.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,453 Member
    Don't worry about the sugars from whole fruit and dairy.

    If you want, you can hide the "sugar" tracker by going to FOOD> Settings - then choose some other nutrient to track on that page.

    Sugar is ALWAYS tracked by DEFAULT on the second page of your food diary, accessed by clicking the orange "Printable Version" button at the bottom of the page when you logging food.

    I haven't tracked sugars in forever. I'm more concerned with Calcium and Potassium - they're harder to meet the minimums.
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    Low carb for the win. When you "no" something, you will lose your mind and fail.

    "Low Fat" or "diet" normally means "fake added nasty added chemicals" I stick to regular versions and moderate.

    When looking at sugars, fruit does not count. It is natural and good for you. It metabolizes different than a candy bar does.

    Whole wheat and white breads are bad. Try going to sprouted whole grains. (found in the cold, organic section)

    "Diets" don't work... but a permanent life style change does.

    I try and focus on eating clean, whole, natural foods with 5 ingredients or less in it. I don't count calories as much as I make sure I am getting necessary ingredients.

    If you want a "DIET" to go by, the "diabetic diet" is the best. Low carb, lean proteins, fruits, and veggies. 5 small meals a day. Simple, to the point, whole nutrition.

    There are no "bad" foods and meal timing has no impact on weight loss. Also, I am confused because you stated that diets don't work and then offered a suggestion of the diabetic diet?? Hmmmmm
  • suda66
    suda66 Posts: 2
    Thank you all!!!, and yes I have learned that "diets" dont work...I usually do focus more on eating healthy. Lilcassers I will try the different grains as I think that will help and also the less processed a food is the better, so, I guess I do know more than I think I do..lol...
    Another question,,,I have recently read or heard that canola oil isn't one of the better oils to use? I do use olive oil for the most part, I have also read about coconut oil? Does it taste like coconut, will it make my food tast different?
    And Dairy is another grey area for me..Good? Bad? I have been adding yogurt, is greek really better?
    Back to Sugar, If I do need to add/use or bake..what are some alternatives?
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,453 Member
    Low carb for the win. When you "no" something, you will lose your mind and fail.

    "Low Fat" or "diet" normally means "fake added nasty added chemicals" I stick to regular versions and moderate.

    When looking at sugars, fruit does not count. It is natural and good for you. It metabolizes different than a candy bar does.

    Whole wheat and white breads are bad. Try going to sprouted whole grains. (found in the cold, organic section)

    "Diets" don't work... but a permanent life style change does.

    I try and focus on eating clean, whole, natural foods with 5 ingredients or less in it. I don't count calories as much as I make sure I am getting necessary ingredients.

    If you want a "DIET" to go by, the "diabetic diet" is the best. Low carb, lean proteins, fruits, and veggies. 5 small meals a day. Simple, to the point, whole nutrition.

    There is very little in this post that I would agree with.

    "Low" carb is a matter of degrees. 100-150g a day on a 1500 cal plan = great. 15g a day, not so easy or necessary.

    Sugar from fruit and dairy does count - too much of it is still not a good thing. Stay in your macros and enjoy all the foods.

    Don't make food "bad".

    "fake added nasty added chemicals" are sometimes added in processed foods. But lowfat or nonfat dairy like yogurt, milk and cheese are still perfectly reasonable choices when eating within a calorie deficit - and they don't have "fake added nasty added chemicals"

    Nothing wrong with breads - of any kind. Can you eat a lot of them? Not when you are on a calorie deficit - they are very expensive, calorie wise.

    I do agree to find something that works for you long-term, not just while losing the weight.
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    Hey there, what I have done is cut out (most) processed and refined foods. I do NOT eat diet foods. I eat real, whole, from the ground or from a mother food.

    I do not diet, I eat healthy.

    If you need any help or recipe ideas, please feel free to check out my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheSassyGourmet

    I stopped logging long ago because it became to much trouble, especially since I pretty much eat mostly clean foods so logging everything was stressing me out.

    Remember, you are what you eat so DO NOT BE FAST, CHEAP, EASY OR FAKE :wink:
  • ladynocturne
    ladynocturne Posts: 865 Member
    Thank you all!!!, and yes I have learned that "diets" dont work...I usually do focus more on eating healthy. Lilcassers I will try the different grains as I think that will help and also the less processed a food is the better, so, I guess I do know more than I think I do..lol...
    Another question,,,I have recently read or heard that canola oil isn't one of the better oils to use? I do use olive oil for the most part, I have also read about coconut oil? Does it taste like coconut, will it make my food tast different?
    And Dairy is another grey area for me..Good? Bad? I have been adding yogurt, is greek really better?
    Back to Sugar, If I do need to add/use or bake..what are some alternatives?

    Olive oil, grapeseed oil, and extra virgin coconut oil are technically "healthier" oils to cook with. People who use coconut oil to cook say it doesn't flavor their food tropical, but it isn't something I've tried personally, even though I use it everyday (on myself).

    Most adult humans are at least in some % lactose intolerant, whether it's enough to bother you (nasal congestion/stomach upset) is personal. I use Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk with my cereal. I feel better in general and it's less caloric so I can eat a little more during the day.

    I've never really liked yogurt but the Coconut milk yogurt tastes pretty good to me, I just recently tried some.

    Sugar... I would avoid baking with "fake" sugars, there hasn't really been enough research to determine what it's actually doing to us. That being said, moderation is key. I would try to find an unprocessed natural sugar, I think it's called Turabono? it's raw sugar that has a light brown coloring to it. Maybe someone who knows a bit more about sugar can chime in, I really don't eat much of it, so I'm not an expert.
  • moorednorham
    moorednorham Posts: 18
    I was restricting my calories but started extreme (20g/day max) low carb a few days ago. Ketosis kicked in pretty quickly but the measured amount was rather faint. I have now cut my protein some, since excess can be stored as fat, and really upped my coconut oil and coconut milk (don't ask how much, you'll puke). My ketostix went from pink to purple in a little over an hour and my energy skyrocketed. I won't weigh in for a few days yet but I am expecting at least a couple pounds gone due to the upped fat. Counterintuitive, but it works.

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