cutting out sugar

tartansheep
tartansheep Posts: 122 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I was reading an article today in the Times Style magazine, which said that sugar hidden in food is the reason why we are fatter than ever. Some health organisations even say that we should be eating as little as 6tsp a day for women, and 8tsp a day for men.

Because of this, I'm considering cutting out all sugar in my diet. Does anyone else do this? The article gave some hints - including how diet foods can have more sugar than the non-diet versions and therefore are bad - but I was wondering if anyone had any experience of cutting out sugar.
Many thanks
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Replies

  • Phoenix_Warrior
    Phoenix_Warrior Posts: 1,633 Member
    The obesity epidemic is not because of sugar. It's from eating too much of anything. Good luck cutting out sugar. Sugar is a carb and carbs are apart of a balanced diet. I've learned, for me, that to make my diet sustainable for life, cutting things were unnecessary. I eat the same things I always do and will, just in smaller portions and being mindful of my macronutrient ratios.
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    I'm not a diabetic. I don't worry about sugar.. I love sugar
  • lioooba
    lioooba Posts: 105 Member
    i dont eat sugar, but it took me months to do it and i still have a cheat one in a while :)

    Even in a lot of processed meat and white bread is sugar, so its hard as :P
  • lioooba
    lioooba Posts: 105 Member
    I still eat fruits and whole grains btw
  • Silvara_11
    Silvara_11 Posts: 133 Member
    It is shocking how much stuff has sugar. I read lables for everything I buy and avoid cereals with sugar which is tough, and marinades and sauces with sugar, most have some.

    But I like sugar, and I believe if it is naturally occuring like in plain yoguart or fruit it is fine.

    I just don't like it sneaking up on me in savoury items!
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    You don't need to cut out sugar unless you're a diabetic (or other metabolic disease), or you're having trouble meeting you protein and fat macros within your calorie allowance.

    I would seriously reconsider making any decisions about your health or diet based on an article you read. Skepticism may be the healthiest habit you can adopt.
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    Yes! Since I cut most sugar out of my diet I feel so much better. And I am slimmer all over.. People think eating fat is why they are fat but they are wrong. Fat is an essential nutrient we all need (just don't overindulge) Sugar is the culprit and it is in almost all processed foods. I even watch my fruit intake
  • SerenaKitty
    SerenaKitty Posts: 142
    I don't have any health problems that would be worsened with sugar consumption, so no, I don't cut out sugar. It has been helpful for my sister in the past, but only to lessen migraines, not for weight loss.

    That recommended daily limit would be reached with a banana and part of an orange. Meaning, no naturally occurring sugar in anything else for the rest of the day. That is not realistic to me.
  • rdpapag
    rdpapag Posts: 17
    I am not cutting sugar completely but for the next month or two I'm being very focused on making sure I'm under my daily limit for sugars. I've regularly been high everyday in the sugar category and I'm pretty sure thats why I still have that little bit of stomach fat on the lower part.
  • stt43
    stt43 Posts: 487
    I was reading an article today in the Times Style magazine, which said that sugar hidden in food is the reason why we are fatter than ever. Some health organisations even say that we should be eating as little as 6tsp a day for women, and 8tsp a day for men.

    Because of this, I'm considering cutting out all sugar in my diet. Does anyone else do this? The article gave some hints - including how diet foods can have more sugar than the non-diet versions and therefore are bad - but I was wondering if anyone had any experience of cutting out sugar.
    Many thanks

    Yeah, no. Basically ignore all of this unless you have some sort of medical reason to monitor your sugar intake, or if you find that too much sugar is making you feel sluggish or unsatiated.
    I have a low sugar diet just so I can fit more food in with the same calories, allowing me to get more macronutrients and feel fuller for longer.
    If you want to lose weight then focus on a consistent caloric deficit, not sugar intake. If you want to have a "better" diet focus on what macro- and micro-nutrients you consume, not merely your sugar intake.
    And if you are still worried about it, exercise regularly to burn off any sugar you are consuming.
  • Stripeness
    Stripeness Posts: 511 Member
    I can't see your food diary, so I'll just ask. Are you logging your food? Are there places you can easily cut sugar? If yes, why not start with that?

    Not dissing eating clean. I'm all for improving our eating habits. In the UK, only 1 in 6 adults have ever prepared a meal from scratch, and the US is sure to be just as pathetic. Probably any #firstworld country, really. So, if you can tweak your current eating habits to a bit less sugar and processed foods, you're sure to benefit.

    One really nice halo effect is that if you are eating less sugar, you have a greater appreciation for things like fruit. One of many reasons to stick with a moderate approach and not simply switch to artificial sweeteners. Try for real balance.
  • tartansheep
    tartansheep Posts: 122 Member
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM currently watching this documentary about sugar
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    The obesity epidemic is not because of sugar. It's from eating too much of anything. Good luck cutting out sugar. Sugar is a carb and carbs are apart of a balanced diet. I've learned, for me, that to make my diet sustainable for life, cutting things were unnecessary. I eat the same things I always do and will, just in smaller portions and being mindful of my macronutrient ratios.

    sugar is a carb, sure, but sugar is not a good choice of carbohydrate for a balanced diet. Sugar is not necessary.
  • Phoenix_Warrior
    Phoenix_Warrior Posts: 1,633 Member
    I am not cutting sugar completely but for the next month or two I'm being very focused on making sure I'm under my daily limit for sugars. I've regularly been high everyday in the sugar category and I'm pretty sure thats why I still have that little bit of stomach fat on the lower part.

    It's not. There's plenty of people on here with flat stomachs who consume well over the crazy low mfp sugar limit
  • Phaedra2014
    Phaedra2014 Posts: 1,254 Member
    I was reading an article today in the Times Style magazine, which said that sugar hidden in food is the reason why we are fatter than ever. Some health organisations even say that we should be eating as little as 6tsp a day for women, and 8tsp a day for men.

    Because of this, I'm considering cutting out all sugar in my diet. Does anyone else do this? The article gave some hints - including how diet foods can have more sugar than the non-diet versions and therefore are bad - but I was wondering if anyone had any experience of cutting out sugar.
    Many thanks

    My suggestion to you is to try it for 30 days and collect data on how it makes you feel. Everyone's reply will only be based on subjective experience. I don't eat sugar that's not present in fruits, vegetables and other wholefoods. It works for me but it may not work for you or anyone else.

    Try it and post back on your results.
  • Phoenix_Warrior
    Phoenix_Warrior Posts: 1,633 Member
    The obesity epidemic is not because of sugar. It's from eating too much of anything. Good luck cutting out sugar. Sugar is a carb and carbs are apart of a balanced diet. I've learned, for me, that to make my diet sustainable for life, cutting things were unnecessary. I eat the same things I always do and will, just in smaller portions and being mindful of my macronutrient ratios.

    sugar is a carb, sure, but sugar is not a good choice of carbohydrate for a balanced diet. Sugar is not necessary.

    Carbs are carbs..
  • danimalkeys
    danimalkeys Posts: 982 Member
    I don't worry about natural sugars in fruit and vegetables, but I try to avoid anything with added sugar. . No sugar in my coffee or tea, no sugary drinks. I limit sauces and things with added sugar, like ketchup or bbq sauce.

    I figure I only have so many carbs and calories a day, I'd rather use them on something else.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    The obesity epidemic is not because of sugar. It's from eating too much of anything. Good luck cutting out sugar. Sugar is a carb and carbs are apart of a balanced diet. I've learned, for me, that to make my diet sustainable for life, cutting things were unnecessary. I eat the same things I always do and will, just in smaller portions and being mindful of my macronutrient ratios.

    sugar is a carb, sure, but sugar is not a good choice of carbohydrate for a balanced diet. Sugar is not necessary.

    Meh, I guess if you're sedentary sugar isn't necessary but it's pretty useful for certain athletic situations.
  • bpotts44
    bpotts44 Posts: 1,066 Member
    I was reading an article today in the Times Style magazine, which said that sugar hidden in food is the reason why we are fatter than ever. Some health organisations even say that we should be eating as little as 6tsp a day for women, and 8tsp a day for men.

    Because of this, I'm considering cutting out all sugar in my diet. Does anyone else do this? The article gave some hints - including how diet foods can have more sugar than the non-diet versions and therefore are bad - but I was wondering if anyone had any experience of cutting out sugar.
    Many thanks

    I follow the no sugar no grains approach. Sugar and grains are especially bad at spiking insulin and causing fat gain and hunger. By cutting sugar you will make you life much easier by making yourself less hungry and your body will become adapted at using fat as its primary fuel.
  • tartansheep
    tartansheep Posts: 122 Member
    The article was saying how sugar is an empty calorie, whereas fat is needed. Sugar is a pure "energy bomb" and serves no purpose in the diet, and is even thought to be tricking our brains into eating more than we need.
  • harphy
    harphy Posts: 290 Member
    Processed food = sugar! Ketchup, hamburgers, mustard, cereal, fruit yogurt, chocholate milk, bread, salad dressings, flavoured water, canned food, "healthy" bars, even dried fruit has added sugar. Yesterday I saw so called diet yogurt with 0.1 % of fat and 26 g of added sugar. Oh, well...
  • dtimedwards
    dtimedwards Posts: 319 Member
    I am not cutting sugar completely but for the next month or two I'm being very focused on making sure I'm under my daily limit for sugars. I've regularly been high everyday in the sugar category and I'm pretty sure thats why I still have that little bit of stomach fat on the lower part.

    I eat two bananas every day. That puts me just under my daily max for sugar. Two bananas a day did not make me fat.
  • RunForChai
    RunForChai Posts: 238 Member
    Hi,
    I cut out most added sugars and feel 100% better---I've tried this before [chocolate is my downfall] and couldn't do it---but I did it this time in conjunction with cutting grains [all breads for starters] and starchy vegies [like potatoes] and that seemed to help. Just one idea--

    Good luck!
  • mikeroybal
    mikeroybal Posts: 111 Member
    I don't exclude any food from my diet. I don't eat a lot of sugar but I eat fruits and vegetables. I don't eat a lot of refined sugar but that is because I don't eat a lot of processed foods. There is nothing wrong with any type of food in moderation.
  • tartansheep
    tartansheep Posts: 122 Member
    Processed food = sugar! Ketchup, hamburgers, mustard, cereal, fruit yogurt, chocholate milk, bread, salad dressings, flavoured water, canned food, "healthy" bars, even dried fruit has added sugar. Yesterday I saw so called diet yogurt with 0.1 % of fat and 26 g of added sugar. Oh, well...

    yeah exactly - that in eating "diet" food we end up gaining weight
  • Phoenix_Warrior
    Phoenix_Warrior Posts: 1,633 Member
    Processed food = sugar! Ketchup, hamburgers, mustard, cereal, fruit yogurt, chocholate milk, bread, salad dressings, flavoured water, canned food, "healthy" bars, even dried fruit has added sugar. Yesterday I saw so called diet yogurt with 0.1 % of fat and 26 g of added sugar. Oh, well...

    yeah exactly - that in eating "diet" food we end up gaining weight

    No. You gain weight eating in a calorie surplus. Not because of sugar. An imbalanced diet might make you feel crappy but you can't gain weight without eating over maintenance.


    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1112412--the-problem-with-sugar-is-your-problem-with-sugar?hl=Your+problem+with+sugar
  • LovePBandJ
    LovePBandJ Posts: 288 Member
    I don't consume sugar and my body feels much better for it. Sugar is one more highly processed food. I do not care what kind of diet you follow (just calorie counting, paleo, "clean eating," keto, ... processed foods are never good for you. Furthermore, if you cut sugar out of your diet, within a week's time you will no longer crave it. Gosh, they even put sugar in canned tomatoes and vinegar. You really do have to watch for it.

    Ultimately, you have to pick the program that works for you and stick to it. Everyone here has his or her own opinion of what works for them. Some even think that their way is the only right way. Find your path and stick to it. It's your journey, not everybody else's.

    Good luck!
  • SierryM
    SierryM Posts: 3
    I feel better when I don't eat sugar...but that's just me.
  • Seajolly
    Seajolly Posts: 1,435 Member
    I think that cutting out PROCESSED sugars from the diet is a great thing! But natural sugars, such as those found naturally in fruit, are not the enemy.
  • Chriztii
    Chriztii Posts: 94
    I have been told to cut out as much sugar as possible, my sister is crazy about eating everything 100% clean etc and she tells me to not eat any bread, pasta, rice, sugar in my coffee etc and it's just not a realistic lifestyle for ME.. Not sure about you but i find it a bit excessive to cut out completely everything that has carbs. Changing portion sizes and trying to add healthier options is the way to go :) (Still battling on the healthy options myself)

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