No sugar

Why does everything on here turn into a debate? It gets so old. The OP wants to cut out sugar....so what? She doesn't need a reason that anyone else approves of.

Because she isn't the only one on MFP reading these threads and regardless to whether she wants to listen to those of us advocating that eating a well balanced diet can also include some discretionary items that contain the horrid SUGAR monster!! that there are others (Newbies) that are easily influenced and we just want to make sure both sides are represented..... Plus the whole thing that this is a public forum and we have just as much right to post what we see fit thing kinda applies..........

I would agree with wholeheartedly if the OP had asked a different question. Her question was "How long till the cravings for sugar are gone once she begins clean eating?". That doesn't open up the topic to whatever anyone thinks about sugar and turning it into another sugar debate.

OPs question is nonsensical from the very outset. It's impossible to eat "no sugar."

These sorts of nonsense, BS "fitness" and "nutrition" threads need to be called out when they occur. MFP needs more real-life, sensical, rational discussion instead of fad Demon Nutrient crap like "no sugar clean eating detox!"

And she cleared her question up by saying she meant refined sugars.... I am pretty sure that most knew what she meant anyway.

Why does everything on here turn into a debate? It gets so old. The OP wants to cut out sugar....so what? She doesn't need a reason that anyone else approves of.

Because she isn't the only one on MFP reading these threads and regardless to whether she wants to listen to those of us advocating that eating a well balanced diet can also include some discretionary items that contain the horrid SUGAR monster!! that there are others (Newbies) that are easily influenced and we just want to make sure both sides are represented..... Plus the whole thing that this is a public forum and we have just as much right to post what we see fit thing kinda applies..........

I would agree with you wholeheartedly if the OP had asked a different question. Her question was "How long till the cravings for sugar are gone once she begins clean eating?". That doesn't open up the topic to whatever anyone thinks about sugar and turning it into another sugar debate.

The problem is with the question.

- There's really no such thing as a sugar craving
- There's really no such thing as clean eating

The "real" question is .. How long until I can get over wanting to eat a subset of sugar that I have arbitrarily declared unclean?

In the chocolate chips example above, I'd argue that if you're trying to reduce sugar, skip the grapes and eat the chocolate chips. You'll be getting something that psychologically satisfies you, and reducing your sugar consumed by 80%. Win-Win.

And that is a great "In Your Opinion" answer... However, to clean eaters, refined sugar isn't part of their diet. Whether you agree with clean eating or not, there is a "such thing" to the people who do agree with it.

For the record, I am absolutely not a clean eater.

Why does everything on here turn into a debate? It gets so old. The OP wants to cut out sugar....so what? She doesn't need a reason that anyone else approves of.

Because she isn't the only one on MFP reading these threads and regardless to whether she wants to listen to those of us advocating that eating a well balanced diet can also include some discretionary items that contain the horrid SUGAR monster!! that there are others (Newbies) that are easily influenced and we just want to make sure both sides are represented..... Plus the whole thing that this is a public forum and we have just as much right to post what we see fit thing kinda applies..........

I would agree with you wholeheartedly if the OP had asked a different question. Her question was "How long till the cravings for sugar are gone once she begins clean eating?". That doesn't open up the topic to whatever anyone thinks about sugar and turning it into another sugar debate.

The problem is with the question.

- There's really no such thing as a sugar craving
- There's really no such thing as clean eating

The "real" question is .. How long until I can get over wanting to eat a subset of sugar that I have arbitrarily declared unclean?

In the chocolate chips example above, I'd argue that if you're trying to reduce sugar, skip the grapes and eat the chocolate chips. You'll be getting something that psychologically satisfies you, and reducing your sugar consumed by 80%. Win-Win.

And that is a great "In Your Opinion" answer...

The only bit of opinion in there is my stance on clean eating. The rest is factual.

Both of your "problems" with the question are opinions. The cravings point being flat out wrong in my opinion. A craving for sweets is definitely real even if it's all in one's head. It's still a craving.

OPs question is nonsensical from the very outset. It's impossible to eat "no sugar."

These sorts of nonsense, BS "fitness" and "nutrition" threads need to be called out when they occur. MFP needs more real-life, sensical, rational discussion instead of fad Demon Nutrient crap like "no sugar clean eating detox!"

And she cleared her question up by saying she meant refined sugars.... I am pretty sure that most knew what she meant anyway.

Which further implies there's some benefit to eating zero "refined" sugars. There is no truth to this.

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That's your opinion. You are definitely welcome to it. I've seen articles and what not that say exactly what you are saying and exactly the opposite. I am not a doctor or a nutritionist so I don't really know for sure.

I haven't ever found an article that shows any benefits of refined sugar either...have you?

That's your opinion. You are definitely welcome to it. I've seen articles and what not that say exactly what you are saying and exactly the opposite. I am not a doctor or a nutritionist so I don't really know for sure.

I haven't ever found an article that shows any benefits of refined sugar either...have you?

I don't base my opinions on "articles."

Please do enlighten me then on how you know for sure? I would love to see some proof. Especially on the benefits of refined sugars.

That's your opinion. You are definitely welcome to it. I've seen articles and what not that say exactly what you are saying and exactly the opposite. I am not a doctor or a nutritionist so I don't really know for sure.

I haven't ever found an article that shows any benefits of refined sugar either...have you?

I don't base my opinions on "articles."

Please do enlighten me then on how you know for sure? I would love to see some proof.

Read the edit above.

I realize the benefits of sugar. I am asking specifically about refined sugars since that is what the OP is about and is apparently a trigger for some to debate if one wants to cut them out.

OP, full disclosure, I'm also in the camp of refined sugar, no refined sugar it makes no difference.

But, since you want to quit eating it for your own reasons, try this: think about what specific foods you want when you have a craving for sugar. Try to find a substitute that has a similar macro profile and similar texture. That should be the most satisfying. Unfortunately, since I don't give a flip about clean eating, I don't have specific examples to suggest, but this kind of substitution has worked for me to be satisfied with less calorie-dense foods in place of more calorie-dense foods when needed.

That's your opinion. You are definitely welcome to it. I've seen articles and what not that say exactly what you are saying and exactly the opposite. I am not a doctor or a nutritionist so I don't really know for sure.

I haven't ever found an article that shows any benefits of refined sugar either...have you?

I don't base my opinions on "articles."

Please do enlighten me then on how you know for sure? I would love to see some proof.

Read the edit above.

I realize the benefits of sugar. I am asking specifically about refined sugars since that is what the OP is about and is apparently a trigger for some to debate if one wants to cut them out.

I am confused by what you're wanting here... Do you want a molecular breakdown and comparison of "refined" sugar (white sugar, honey, corn syrup, etc.) vs. "natural" sugar (inherently present in fruits, veggies, milk, etc.)? I guess I'm not sure how you think processed/refined sugar is different than naturally occurring sugar. Sugar is sugar is sugar. We can break it down into a comparison of glucose/sucrose/fructose/etc. ... But I think you'll find that the the differences are marginal, at best.

There is nothing wrong with cutting out refined sugars. It serves no benefit to eat them.

These are both incorrect statements. There is something wrong with cutting out refined sugars. The danger is the same danger as cutting out any nutrient entirely. When you point to a bunch of foods you love, and say that these foods are bad for some bogus reason, and promise never to eat them again, you are setting yourself for catastrophic failure. By implementing a rigid, nonsensical rule like "No sugar" you instantly pit your willpower against your desire unnecessarily.

Most people can only hold out so long before they give in and eat that Snickers bar. When they do, even if the Snickers fit into their macro profile for the day and is perfectly fine, they are a "failure" because they violated their arbitrary "No sugar" rule.

Sugar is also beneficial. Extremely so. I literally bring little packets of sugar juice when I go mountain biking. Snickers are my food of choice when I need long-term energy for hiking and caving. I make sure to get some refined sugar into my system through a protein bar or candy bar about an hour before any workout, because it increases my performance.

There are dangers to eliminating food groups from your diet for no reason, and sugar is indeed beneficial.

Is this another Pen!s thread? lmao some women on here have a to much envy lmao :laugh:

There is nothing wrong with cutting out refined sugars. It serves no benefit to eat them.

These are both incorrect statements. There is something wrong with cutting out refined sugars. The danger is the same danger as cutting out any nutrient entirely. When you point to a bunch of foods you love, and say that these foods are bad for some bogus reason, and promise never to eat them again, you are setting yourself for catastrophic failure. By implementing a rigid, nonsensical rule like "No sugar" you instantly pit your willpower against your desire unnecessarily.

Most people can only hold out so long before they give in and eat that Snickers bar. When they do, even if the Snickers fit into their macro profile for the day and is perfectly fine, they are a "failure" because they violated their arbitrary "No sugar" rule.

Sugar is also beneficial. Extremely so. I literally bring little packets of sugar juice when I go mountain biking. Snickers are my food of choice when I need long-term energy for hiking and caving. I make sure to get some refined sugar into my system through a protein bar or candy bar about an hour before any workout, because it increases my performance.

There are dangers to eliminating food groups from your diet for no reason, and sugar is indeed beneficial.

And that's fine............for you. I would hope you would know that not everyone has the same mind set as you though. I take bananas, Clif Bars, and plain water with me on my rides. Works just fine. Still get the sugar, and nothing refined (mind you i'm not against refine sugars). When I started my journey, I cut out fried foods. Don't crave them at all anymore. Don't eat them. So Iguess we will have to agree to disagree that my statements are incorrect, however, I do agree they are incorrect when talking about you.

Also, I was unaware that refined sugar was a food group. Learn something new everyday.

Clif Bars
nothing refined

While you are correct in it's effect on weight loss vs macros and calorie burn, I think the OP is trying to eliminate it from her diet. It doesn't matter "if it fits your macros"... sugar has OTHER detrimental effects on the human body than weight loss/gain. People with PCOS, Hypo/Hyperthyroid, hormonal imbalances, etc. have a HARD TIME with large (even smaller) amounts of sugar and carbs. Their bodies dont process it the same as people who dont have these issues. Reducing sugar and carb intake is vital for people with these diseases/illnesses/issues (whatever you want to call it) to be able to ATTEMPT to lose any weight.

While you are correct in it's effect on weight loss vs macros and calorie burn, I think the OP is trying to eliminate it from her diet. It doesn't matter "if it fits your macros"... sugar has OTHER detrimental effects on the human body than weight loss/gain. People with PCOS, Hypo/Hyperthyroid, hormonal imbalances, etc. have a HARD TIME with large (even smaller) amounts of sugar and carbs. Their bodies dont process it the same as people who dont have these issues. Reducing sugar and carb intake is vital for people with these diseases/illnesses/issues (whatever you want to call it) to be able to ATTEMPT to lose any weight.

People with peanut allergies have a HARD TIME eating peanuts.

Does that mean people without peanut allergies should avoid peanuts?

That's your opinion. You are definitely welcome to it. I've seen articles and what not that say exactly what you are saying and exactly the opposite. I am not a doctor or a nutritionist so I don't really know for sure.

I haven't ever found an article that shows any benefits of refined sugar either...have you?

I don't base my opinions on "articles."

Please do enlighten me then on how you know for sure? I would love to see some proof.

Read the edit above.

I realize the benefits of sugar. I am asking specifically about refined sugars since that is what the OP is about and is apparently a trigger for some to debate if one wants to cut them out.

I am confused by what you're wanting here... Do you want a molecular breakdown and comparison of "refined" sugar (white sugar, honey, corn syrup, etc.) vs. "natural" sugar (inherently present in fruits, veggies, milk, etc.)? I guess I'm not sure how you think processed/refined sugar is different than naturally occurring sugar. Sugar is sugar is sugar. We can break it down into a comparison of glucose/sucrose/fructose/etc. ... But I think you'll find that the the differences are marginal, at best.

I believe sugar is sugar as well so no, I wasn't looking for any of that molecular science mumbo jumbo. All I was getting at was that there are 0 benefits to eating refined sugar so so what if someone wants to cut them out? Why does it have to be debated anyway when it isn't even relevant to the OPs question.

I disagree. I think there are benefits to eating refined sugar in that I also think there are benefits to eating carbs (which is the macro that sugar falls under). There's some science mumbo jumbo behind that statement, but we won't get into that since it doesn't interest you.

Besides the above mentioned benefits, there's an added benefit that the person who is consuming sugar is deriving a certain amount of joy from it. Let's get back to the OP's question, shall we? Obviously it's something she enjoys or she wouldn't be jonesing for it. What some of the other posters have been trying to say is that instead of mentally suffering through some so-called "sugar withdrawal," the OP could just ... eat sugar in moderation and not get all orthorexic about it.

You argue that the merits of sugar are not relevant when the OP just wants to know when the sugar-demon will get off her back. But based on the science (which, again, you're apparently not interested in) behind the merits and failings of sugar, all of this anguish that she's suffering is in her head. That is why this discussion is relevant to the OP's question.

That's a good answer. I like it. And for the record, I called in mumbo jumbo as a joke. I would hope that everyone would know that. Guess not.