Refined Sugar

Fit_Mama84
Fit_Mama84 Posts: 234 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I have a love hate relationship with refined sugar and I am trying really hard to find a balance I can live with. But so far, nothing is working. If I allow myself some sugar, it slowly grows until i'm eating too much. If I cut it out completely, I eventually binge on it. I've been looking into stevia as an alternative, but have found mixed information regarding that. Has anyone had success with removing refined sugar from their diets? If so, what helped you succeed?

Replies

  • Slaintegrl
    Slaintegrl Posts: 239 Member
    I've had great success with stevia. Especially, when I found that I can get flavored stevia (chocolate, caramel, cinnamon, french vanilla). Except for my stevia, all my sugar comes from fruits and vegetables.

    Best of luck to you - I hope you find something that works for you!
  • Fit_Mama84
    Fit_Mama84 Posts: 234 Member
    Do you find that stevia causes a blood sugar spike? I'm trying to avoid that as much as possible.
  • Slaintegrl
    Slaintegrl Posts: 239 Member
    Not at all - I'm diabetic and have to watch that. In fact, since I've been losing, my sugar is in better control than it's ever been, and I've been steadily reducing my insulin.
  • sheepysaccount
    sheepysaccount Posts: 608 Member
    I have had the same problem. Always using sugar in my coffee and most foods I cooked. I went to eliminate it in steps. First I switched to brown sugar, then went from two packets to one to half. I am currently working on liking my coffee without sugar. I just it for every other coffee.
  • JoyeII
    JoyeII Posts: 240 Member
    I'm pre-diabetic and managing my carbohydrate intake. The carbs I do eat come from fruit, veggies, and occasionally, whole grains. I use Stevia as a sweetener and it does not cause insulin spikes for me. I think the best way to get past sugar cravings is to completely eliminate it for 3-5 days. Then try reintroducing it in the form of natural sugars rather than added sugars.
  • unesemainedecruaute
    unesemainedecruaute Posts: 54 Member
    Is it mandatory to eat refined sugar at the short time?

    If not, try and get your sugar from other sources, like fruits, some vegetables and wholegrains, and the extra-sugarly flavor (if needed) from stevia or similar.

    I do not recommend you to eat refined grains because they can still give you the rush that your binge-brain needs to get in action.

    Anyway, you have to be aware that you'll still have a tendency for binging that you'll have to fight for some time (it's totally possible). It's easier cuting out the main(s) "activator", but still the tendency will remain for some time. It's like quit smoking.

    Look for things that could help you when (or to prevent) craving: good water consumption, not doing any kind of extreme diet, going for a walk, etc.

    FInally, if you feel like, you can get back to the refined sugar after a year or two, or six months after you feel you are ready.

    Remember, this is just an advice :)
  • richardheath
    richardheath Posts: 1,276 Member
    Do you find that stevia causes a blood sugar spike? I'm trying to avoid that as much as possible.

    Unless you have diabetes or insulin resistance that really isn't something you need to worry about. But no, stevia does not cause a sugar spike: it isn't (and doesn't break down to) glucose.

    I use stevia in things like Greek yogurt. You can add it to tea or coffee, bake with it etc. I'm not aware of any health concerns tied to stevia (but I'm sure someone somewhere on the interwebs has some wild theory...).

    While aiming to cut out refined sugar is usually good for weight loss, as it adds calories, don't fixate too much on the sugar column. In fact, mine is hidden and I am prediabetic. Learning how to moderate your intake of total calories is much more important.
  • 1princesswarrior
    1princesswarrior Posts: 1,242 Member
    I had to learn self control. Too much sugar triggers migraines and I have chronic migraines as it is. When I figured this out I avoided as much sugar as possible for two weeks and then slowly did an experiment to figure out how much I could eat and what times I could eat it. After the two weeks I quit craving it.

    And when I have migraine outbreaks I have to avoid as much sugar as possible, that includes sugar in fruit, dairy, vegetables, etc.
  • pen2u
    pen2u Posts: 224 Member
    My body reacts almost immediately to sugar with symptoms such as itchy mouth, lowered immunity and lightheadedness. I can almost count on catching whatever bug is going around if I succumb to sugar cravings, so I avoid it most of the time.

    Stevia and agave nectar don't give me the same reactions (even though agave nectar has carbs/calories, go figure.)

    Does anyone else relate to this? Most people think I'm crazy when I tell them...
  • sillyvalentine
    sillyvalentine Posts: 460 Member
    I get about 2 - 10 grams of sugar a day(mostly from fruits and veggies) and I try not to go over 20. I eat lots of meat and cheese. Nothing special. I drink black tea and plain water. I would like a sugar free BBQ sauce though as that is what seems to put me over if I do go over.

Categories