cut the SUGAR out

Got_Discipline
Got_Discipline Posts: 65 Member
in Getting Started
This time I am trying to cut out SUGAR. By not adding sugar or eating things with so much sugar in them. Unfortunately here in America we love sugar and most things have sugar in them, but I am working on it. I am craving sweet things by the afternoon I am also feeling quite a bit more tired with out all the added sugar in my diet. This is like day two hopefully by weeks end I will be feeling alot better....

Do you have any helpful hints on how to cut sugar from my diet?
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Replies

  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    When you say "this time," what did you cut out the first time that didn't work?

    What I'm getting at is that you don't need to eliminate sugar, unless you have some medical reason for doing so. How about a calorie deficit instead?
  • Joanne_Moniz
    Joanne_Moniz Posts: 347 Member
    This time I am trying to cut out SUGAR. By not adding sugar or eating things with so much sugar in them. Unfortunately here in America we love sugar and most things have sugar in them, but I am working on it. I am craving sweet things by the afternoon I am also feeling quite a bit more tired with out all the added sugar in my diet. This is like day two hopefully by weeks end I will be feeling alot better....

    Do you have any helpful hints on how to cut sugar from my diet?

    Try to use fruit. If you like yogurt, it is a good way to add a little sweetness. You can add a slice of apple diced up and a couple slices of banana. Just try not to eat too much fruit... It will take a little while to wean yourself off sugar; but you will feel great!!!

    Joanne Moniz
    The Skinny on Obesity Group
  • JenD1066
    JenD1066 Posts: 298 Member
    The easiest way to eliminate unwanted ingredients, whether it be sugar, or high fructose corn syrup, or mono sodium glutamate, or partially hydrogenated oils- is simply to avoid processed foods.
    Buy whole foods and cook.
    It's healthier, it's cheaper, and it tastes better.
  • Got_Discipline
    Got_Discipline Posts: 65 Member
    Yah I said this time because I have been here for awhile. Last August I was at 189 now I am 212. However my kids started soccer and I feel it is more important to coach soccer and be part of their life than to go to the gym. Trust me I am busy yah I could go from 6 hours of sleep to four and work out in the morning but no..... That is not healthy either.Anyway I use to work out and diet with a passion. But as I stated my priorities have changed and I know enough about body building that 80% of your physique is Diet. I also realize that we Americans consume far to much sugar. Look around the country it is easy to see we have an obesity epidemic here.
  • Coconut1981
    Coconut1981 Posts: 1 Member
    I'm having the same problem, and this is the main reason it has taken me so long to lose the excess weight. Sugar is the most addictive substance I have ever come across.

    I find that if I make sure to get enough protein (fish, lean meats, lentils, plain yogurt), and fill up on that plus salads, vegetables, and low GI fruits, I am stronger mentally and emotionally, and less susceptible to sugar binges. For me, sugar slip-ups occur during those moments of weakness when I've let myself get too hungry and am also tired, stressed, or upset.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    Sugar doesn't make you fat, homey. Caloric surpluses do.
  • TinaFlynnHopkins
    TinaFlynnHopkins Posts: 3
    Hello, I also love my sugar! I have been using splenda. I have tried many different things, and it's what I have found, to work for me.
    I put it on my strawberry's, oatmeal, and I also bake with it. It's the closest I have found to sugar. Happy hunting.
    Tina Hopkins
  • sun_fish
    sun_fish Posts: 864 Member
    I am finding success "this time" because I am including sweets in my diet. In the past I tried restricting food items that I thought were "bad", and eventually gave into binging on the very foods I had restricted.

    I have lost 60 pounds, and just about everyday I have some sort of treat. I no longer view food as good or bad. Sure there are foods that have more nutritional value, but as long as I am meeting my protein and fat goals everyday, I see no reason to not include some chocolate, ice cream, or whatever food I love.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Sugar = energy, of course you will feel tired by cutting out energy from your diet.
  • prattiger65
    prattiger65 Posts: 1,657 Member
    Can I have your sugar?
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    We have an Obesity epidemic because we can't push ourselves away from the table and consume more calories than we need. Sugar is not evil, I have never tracked a single gram of sugar, have lost over 300 pounds, and still enjoy a bowl of ice cream every night... Hit your caloric intake and macros for whatever you are trying to do (lose weight, maintain weight, or gain weight) that is the key....
  • Cranquistador
    Cranquistador Posts: 39,744 Member
    NO
  • psych101
    psych101 Posts: 1,842 Member
    Poor sugar - getting the bash so often...
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    We have an Obesity epidemic because we can't push ourselves away from the table and consume more calories than we need. Sugar is not evil, I have never tracked a single gram of sugar, have lost over 300 pounds, and still enjoy a bowl of ice cream every night... Hit your caloric intake and macros for whatever you are trying to do (lose weight, maintain weight, or gain weight) that is the key....

    ^this
  • johnjuarez34
    johnjuarez34 Posts: 1
    Being diabetic I struggle with the sugar issue myself I can only tell you to set your sugar intake goal from week to week if you try to eliminate you may find yourself jus giving up . Its been 7 wks for me and my glucose levels are the best they have been in many years . Good luck
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,010 Member
    However my kids started soccer and I feel it is more important to coach soccer and be part of their life than to go to the gym.

    Do you even futbol?
  • sun_fish
    sun_fish Posts: 864 Member
    We have an Obesity epidemic because we can't push ourselves away from the table and consume more calories than we need. Sugar is not evil, I have never tracked a single gram of sugar, have lost over 300 pounds, and still enjoy a bowl of ice cream every night... Hit your caloric intake and macros for whatever you are trying to do (lose weight, maintain weight, or gain weight) that is the key....

    Perfectly stated.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    We have an Obesity epidemic because we can't push ourselves away from the table and consume more calories than we need. Sugar is not evil, I have never tracked a single gram of sugar, have lost over 300 pounds, and still enjoy a bowl of ice cream every night... Hit your caloric intake and macros for whatever you are trying to do (lose weight, maintain weight, or gain weight) that is the key....

    Nailed it.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    We have an Obesity epidemic because we can't push ourselves away from the table and consume more calories than we need. Sugar is not evil, I have never tracked a single gram of sugar, have lost over 300 pounds, and still enjoy a bowl of ice cream every night... Hit your caloric intake and macros for whatever you are trying to do (lose weight, maintain weight, or gain weight) that is the key....

    QFT
  • TLContheGulfCoast
    TLContheGulfCoast Posts: 36 Member
    ... my kids started soccer and I feel it is more important to coach soccer and be part of their life than to go to the gym.

    I think that's great! If you are running the field with them, you are prolly getting plenty of cardio ... look up some raw vegan recipes, even if you are not vegan. This weekend I made some brownie bites for someone else and me ... simple, 3 ingreds.

    1 c. walnuts
    1 c. dried figs (don't recc., ended up with a grainy texture) orig rec. called for raisins, figs were on sale ;-)
    2 tbsp. to 1/4 100% cocoa powder, adjust to taste, I like lots and bitter choc.

    put in food processor, blend until it sticks together, roll into balls, tasted pretty good! took care of my choc. craving.

    any dried fruit should work, cherries ought to be good. Remember dried fruit is calorie dense.
  • Carley
    Carley Posts: 88
    The easiest way to eliminate unwanted ingredients, whether it be sugar, or high fructose corn syrup, or mono sodium glutamate, or partially hydrogenated oils- is simply to avoid processed foods.
    Buy whole foods and cook.
    It's healthier, it's cheaper, and it tastes better.

    I completely agree!!! I gave up sugar the 11th march this year.
  • gaelicstorm26
    gaelicstorm26 Posts: 589 Member
    Why do people hate sugar so much? There is nothing *wrong* with sugar when it is consumed in moderation. I just ate some chocolate. I fit it into my day and I enjoyed every bite. The difference between "then" and "now" is the quantity of sweets I consume. Eating foods that I enjoy in a much lower quantity makes me feel like a regular person. It calms my cravings so I don't "give in" and end up consuming half of a pan of brownies or housing a whole pint of ice cream in a sitting.

    Think long term. Are you willing to give up anything with added sugar for the rest of your life? I know that I couldn't. I want to enjoy this life. Losing weight might take me longer because I do treat myself, but I'm ok with that. I would rather lose a pound each week and enjoy the journey than make myself miserable to lose weight more quickly.
  • Joanne_Moniz
    Joanne_Moniz Posts: 347 Member
    I'm having the same problem, and this is the main reason it has taken me so long to lose the excess weight. Sugar is the most addictive substance I have ever come across.

    I find that if I make sure to get enough protein (fish, lean meats, lentils, plain yogurt), and fill up on that plus salads, vegetables, and low GI fruits, I am stronger mentally and emotionally, and less susceptible to sugar binges. For me, sugar slip-ups occur during those moments of weakness when I've let myself get too hungry and am also tired, stressed, or upset.


    I like this advice. I think most people will tell you this... Sugar, most definitely will make you fat and more than that... It will age you, it will zap your energy, etc. etc. Our bodies were made for food, real food, not stuff in a package.

    Joanne Moniz
    The Skinny on Obesity Group
  • Joanne_Moniz
    Joanne_Moniz Posts: 347 Member
    This time I am trying to cut out SUGAR. By not adding sugar or eating things with so much sugar in them. Unfortunately here in America we love sugar and most things have sugar in them, but I am working on it. I am craving sweet things by the afternoon I am also feeling quite a bit more tired with out all the added sugar in my diet. This is like day two hopefully by weeks end I will be feeling alot better....

    Do you have any helpful hints on how to cut sugar from my diet?


    ps.. all you have to do is reduce it to 10 percent of your calories... pretty much established by the medical community
  • Sharon_C
    Sharon_C Posts: 2,132 Member
    We have an Obesity epidemic because we can't push ourselves away from the table and consume more calories than we need. Sugar is not evil, I have never tracked a single gram of sugar, have lost over 300 pounds, and still enjoy a bowl of ice cream every night... Hit your caloric intake and macros for whatever you are trying to do (lose weight, maintain weight, or gain weight) that is the key....

    ^^^I :heart: you.^^^

    This man knows what he's talking about. Listen to him. Not the people who are afraid of sugar.
  • PJPrimrose
    PJPrimrose Posts: 916 Member
    Do what makes you feel best. I must say that sugar has never caused me problems. I came to MFP to lose 8.5 lbs down to my weight class for competitive kick boxing. The only thing I changed was the amount of calories I ate. I wasn't actually overweight clinically at 5'9" and 153lbs.

    I'm quick, agile and getting even stronger lifting heavy weights now. I have a sweet tooth that I indulge. I do have to avoid gluten (celiac) so cutting out food wouldn't even be a big deal for me.
  • recesq
    recesq Posts: 154 Member
    If you want to cut out sugar, don't use fruit or diet sweet drinks to replace sugar.
    Add some chromium and zinc supplements--these will help reduce the cravings.
    After two solid days of no sweet tasting food whatsoever, you should start to experience fewer and fewer cravings.
    Drink lots of unflavored water.
    No dairy unless its cream. No yogurt. No cereal. No oatmeal. No rice.
    No fruits.
    Try to eat lean protein and veggies as much as possible.
    Starches will cause your cravings to come back. Its a never-ending cause and effect.
    Good luck!
    PS....check out Dr. Hyman and Mark's Daily Apple.
    Many people successfully make this lifestyle change.
  • recesq
    recesq Posts: 154 Member
    Its really really simple people.
    Some people's bodies react to sugar differently than yours.
    Their cells are not as receptive or sensitive to insulin as yours are.
    That's it in a nutshell.
    So some people do not have to limit carbs in order to lose weight.
    Yay for them!
    Others can only loose weight by limiting carbs.
    Is this soooo difficult to understand?
  • snazzyjazzy21
    snazzyjazzy21 Posts: 1,298 Member
    Its really really simple people.
    Some people's bodies react to sugar differently than yours.
    Their cells are not as receptive or sensitive to insulin as yours are.
    That's it in a nutshell.
    So some people do not have to limit carbs in order to lose weight.
    Yay for them!
    Others can only loose weight by limiting carbs.
    Is this soooo difficult to understand?

    Please direct me to evidence that limiting carbs is some peoples ONLY way of losing weight because a calorie deficit doesn't work for them.
  • SunofaBeach14
    SunofaBeach14 Posts: 4,899 Member
    Its really really simple people.
    Some people's bodies react to sugar differently than yours.
    Their cells are not as receptive or sensitive to insulin as yours are.
    That's it in a nutshell.
    So some people do not have to limit carbs in order to lose weight.
    Yay for them!
    Others can only loose weight by limiting carbs.
    Is this soooo difficult to understand?

    lol - right. "Can only lose weight by limiting carbs."

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