Does "fruit sugar" count towards your daily sugar intake?

Yes, especially if you have "issues" with sugar. Sugar is sugar. You shouldn't be eating "white" sugar anyways. Your "sugar grams" are not bonus junk food grams.

sugar is sugar...

No ma'am! Oprah discussed this a lot during her fitness crazes. I have the same issue as you and I eat 2-3 servings of fruit each day. See the link below, it answers your question perfectly.

http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/healthy-eating/ask-diva-does-sugar-fruit-“count”-sugar?page=all

I have issues with sugar...don't we all

I eat lots bananas, sweet potatoes, blueberries, etc. All "healthy" sugars, right?

But just by logging 1 banana, a cup of blueberries, and a sweet potato, I use up all my "sugar grams" for the day. (It's like 32 or something.)

Does that REALLY mean I shouldn't be having ANY more sugar all day?

I mean, it's all healthy sugars. I never have artificial sweeteners or anything with like aspartame or other dangerous chemicals. I rarely add "table sugar" to anything. And yet, I seem to go like 80 grams over my sugar limit, even though they're not "unhealthy" sugars.

Does that mean I need to eat less fruit or something?!?!

That sounds ridiculous if you ask me...

There are significant health benefits of eating whole fruit and vegetables. If you are not eating any other processed foods containing sugar (inc fruit juice) or added sugar, or you are diabetic - I wouldn't worry about it. There is an issue if you are consuming processed foods containing fructose or high-fructose corn syrup or adding sugar to your diet which breaks down into both glucose and fructose. Fructose down-regulates a 'satiety' hormone and is linked to over-eating and obesity. On the other hand, the fibre contained in whole fruit is linked to the production of propionate which is a fat-inhibiting hormone which is produced by good bacteria breaking down plant fiber.
kind regards,

Ben

Sugar is sugar is sugar (when talking about these sugars, anyway).

The sucrose in fruit is identical to the sucrose in table sugar. Neither is more or less "healthy" than the other.

Sucrose itself isn't "unhealthy" either. It's just what you get when glucose and fructose join. Like anything, it's the quantity that will get you into trouble.

For what it's worth I wouldn't worry too much about that specific sugar number. Just work it into your overall carbohydrates target and try to get it from whole foods only.

Sugar is sugar is sugar (when talking about these sugars, anyway).

The sucrose in fruit is identical to the sucrose in table sugar. Neither is more or less "healthy" than the other.

Sucrose itself isn't "unhealthy" either. It's just what you get when glucose and fructose join. Like anything, it's the quantity that will get you into trouble.

For what it's worth I wouldn't worry too much about that specific sugar number. Just work it into your overall carbohydrates target and try to get it from whole foods only.

do you have any sources to say that sugar in fruit is identical to refined white sugar? I find it hard to believe, given how much crap sugar goes through before it ends up on your table as tiny white beads.

Although the type of sugar you're having (fructose) or fruit sugar is pretty healthy and a million times better for you than white sugar,

Some fruits contain more sucrose (same sugar as table sugar) than fructose.

For example, in cantaloupe: 55% of the sugar is sucrose, 24% is fructose, and 19% is glucose. Source: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1954/2

Apricots are even more surprising: 63% of the sugar is sucrose, 25% is glucose, and 10% is fructose. Source: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1827/2

do you have any sources to say that sugar in fruit is identical to refined white sugar? I find it hard to believe, given how much crap sugar goes through before it ends up on your table as tiny white beads.

I said the "The sucrose in fruit is identical to the sucrose in table sugar." Not that all sugar in fruit is the same as table sugar.

There are other sugars in fruit but sucrose is sucrose regardless of where it is.

you also said 'sugar is sugar is sugar' and 'neither is more or less "healthy" than the other'

both are misleading statements. sucrose may be sucrose regardless of form, but we're not just talking about that one ingredient. *shrug*

The amount of sugar in a food is a terrible indication of the healthfulness of said food. Ignore it. Two large peaches have the same amount of sugar as a Snicker's bar.

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MFP does not distinguish between fructose and sucrose, so it all gets lumped together in your chart. Your body does not react the same to them. Sugar is not sugar when you're diabetic. You can read up on it here.

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/sugar-fruit-bad-you-3928.html

Fruit contains a natural sugar called fructose. Unlike sucrose, or table sugar, fructose does not cause abrupt fluctuations in your blood sugar levels because your body digests it more slowly than sucrose, according to researchers of a study published in 2008 in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," who added that diabetics are often advised to use fructose as an energy source because it may aid glycemic control. Fruits that taste sweeter, such as cherries or peaches, generally have more natural sugar in them, while more tart fruits, including lemons or avocados, have less, but few fruits contain enough sugar to make them bad for you ...

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So to everyone saying we should not eat white sugar. I ask why not?

I track my calories and macros. Target my carbs, which sugar is and eat at a deficit. Are you saying adding sugar to my coffee is harming me? It's detrimental to achieving my goals?

It's not about not eating it but being aware just how much "added" white sugar is put into foods. A packet of sugar with coffee is not going to kill you or be that bad (unless you are drinking like 20 cups of coffee a day with sugar). Just be aware a lot of foods have insanely high amounts of refined sugar and if you can limit that it is better.

Sorry but but I will continue to add 2 sugar packets to my coffee. Eat my white flour tortillas and ice cream for desert daily. My friends Moderation and dicipline are stronger than that evil sugar guy. Limit refined sugars, why? Why if I'm able to target my daily goals with no problem?

Where did I say adding a packet or so to coffee is a horrible thing to do? Please read a post before responding. My whole post was about moderation, which from what I gather or your last response is your position too.

I measure my fruits every day. 1/2 cup constitutes a serving. Berries have some of the lowest sugar count so that is a go to every day. I manage to keep my sugars below the recommended amount when I eat not only the proper amount of fruit but am conscious of the other sugars I take in during the day. For example, 1/2 blueberries is just over 7 grams. 1/2 cup of apple is 7.5. 1/2 cup of peach is about 7.5. 1/2 cup of grapes are about 11.5. 1/2 cup of banana is 9 grams. The key is to measure to get the accurate serving. I've found that a small apple is about 3/4 cup which is a serving and a half. If I have 1/2 cup of blueberries, 1/2 cup of peach and 1/2 cup of apple I've only gotten in almost 23 grams which allows for another 17 grams to get to 40 which is what I tend to eat. Veggies, especially greens, should be a large part of your day which helps to minimize the sugar. Keep away from marinades, sauces and white bread and you should be fine.

YES, Sugar is sugar yes, but the fruit sugar is not as bad as table sugar, I use my own math...I cut the fruit sugar in 1/2 mentally to know where my body is; I am a diet controlled diabetic, and this is what works for me and my body. Remember sugar turns into carbs and carbs like to store as fat in the body.