how to keep sugar within goal

arcfam
arcfam Posts: 4 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi there...just started MFP yesterday and already not making sugar goals. yesterday and today over in sugar goal before i even had dinner...today's breakfast had lowfat yogurt, tbsp granola, fresh bluberries and for lunch i have salad with baby spinach, romaine, cukes, tomatoes, pepper, and threw in less than 1/4 cup kidney beans for protein. also have a banana, which is 12 g sugar by itself...with just that I have already gone over my sugar goal by about 30 grams....the yogurt and banana have the most sugar but even if i have plain yogurt sugar would still be over. any suggestions????

Replies

  • ladynocturne
    ladynocturne Posts: 865 Member
    There is no reason to worry about your sugar if it's coming from a natural source. Refined sugar is what you need to stay away from. Sugars in fruit are Complex carbs and digest more slowly and don't spike blood sugar quite the same way. MFP doesn't exactly have a way to distinguish between good sugar and bad.

    Unless you have a medical condition and your doctor says you can't eat X amount of sugar a day, don't stress.
  • fotobug58
    fotobug58 Posts: 1
    Thank you Lady Nocturne. I just started on Monday and I too am having the same trouble as "arcfam". I am so concerned with the sugar intake (my sister is a Type II diabetic) so I would eat less than the allotted 1200 calories because I would see the amount of sugar that I was eating. It is amazing to me that there is sugar in almost everything I eat or drink. Other than fruit what other foods are complex carbs?

    Thanks,
    Fotobug58
  • Mrs_Goatess
    Mrs_Goatess Posts: 15 Member
    I have the exact same problem. I've been ignoring that portion and simply did my best making sure that the sugar I am eating is from natural sources. I regularly blow out my sugar goal with only fruit: no candy, no sweet baked goods, no cookies/cakes, no naughty goodies at all. Again, if your doctor doesn't say you should watch your sugar intake, don't sweat it. Just keep under your calorie goal and be patient. Don't sweat the small stuff. :)
  • ladynocturne
    ladynocturne Posts: 865 Member
    Thank you Lady Nocturne. I just started on Monday and I too am having the same trouble as "arcfam". I am so concerned with the sugar intake (my sister is a Type II diabetic) so I would eat less than the allotted 1200 calories because I would see the amount of sugar that I was eating. It is amazing to me that there is sugar in almost everything I eat or drink. Other than fruit what other foods are complex carbs?

    Thanks,
    Fotobug58

    Here is a website with a decent list:

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/27398-list-complex-carbohydrates-foods/



    Fruits are high in water content, fiber, vitamins and they have virtually no fat at all. Fruits packed with complex carbohydrates include apricots, oranges, plums, pears, grapefruits and prunes.
    Vegetables

    Vegetables are high in water, low in fat, have multiple vitamins and minerals, and most varieties are complex carbs. Broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, turnip greens, eggplant, potatoes, yams, corn, carrots, onions, all types of lettuce, celery, cucumbers, cabbage, artichokes and asparagus are all examples of these.
    Legumes

    Legumes are oftentimes called pulses. These are characterized by seeds that have an exterior pod surrounding them. Beans are a type of legume that is a complex carbohydrate. Specific examples include lentils, kidney beans, black beans, peas, garbanzo beans, soy beans and pinto beans.
    Miscellaneous

    Dill pickles are made from cucumbers and they are complex carbs. Soy milk made from soy beans is a complex carb and dairy products like low-fat yogurt and skim milk are also complex carbs.

    Basically, ALL carbs are eventually converted into sugar for your body to use as energy, this is normal. However, the longer it takes for your body to convert it into sugar, the better. That is why picking foods that are Complex carbs will slowly up your blood sugar over time, instead of a sudden sugar rush followed by a crash, then hunger/cravings.
  • Shellz31
    Shellz31 Posts: 214 Member
    I agree that natural sugar is not something to worry about. Sugar in fruits, vegetables, and things like plain yogurt are fine. If the sugar naturally occurs then you don't need to fret. The real problem is the added-in sugar (white sugar, sugar cane, corn syrup...). The American Heart Association reccommends limiting added-in sugar. Easier said than done though.
  • 55in13
    55in13 Posts: 1,091 Member
    More of the same - I am often over for the day after an all fruit breakfast, but the calories are fine at the end of the day. I would worry if I was getting it all as just added sugars.
  • arcfam
    arcfam Posts: 4 Member
    thanks for so many posts so quickly...i feel better knowing i am not alone...i wish they would differentiate between natural sugars and other added in sugar. All my other numbers are below goal, so i am not going to worry about it.

Categories