cut the SUGAR out

I get what everyone is say, but can we agree that anything taken in excess can be bad for you? The truth is that excess sugar spurs inflammation which we know is bad for your body. So I'd say, why not cut it down and limit it in your diet?

I think that's what most people are saying when they speak of eliminating added sugars or processed sugars. Cut back on total sugar by not adding sugar or only using natural sugars.

I have had great success moving to an all whole foods diet without added sugar and reduced fruit (basically a low fructose diet). I've lost weight, food cravings little to none, skin looks fantastic, better sleep, digestion improved...this list goes on. I'm not saying you can't ever have a piece of cake again but as a daily behavior modification I just don't see the downside of watching the sugar intake. The increase in obesity pretty well correlates to the increase in our sugar consumption. As far as addictiveness? There are studies that show rats additcted to coccaine will choose sugar over coccaine with consistency.

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.

This is my down fall too! Too tired, hungry and/or stressed to care sometimes means slip ups.

I'm going to cut out all/most natural sugars and only eat added sugars.

Hmm, sounds difficult. What will you add it to? meat?

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.

This is my down fall too! Too tired, hungry and/or stressed to care sometimes means slip ups.

I totally agree! And if you make sure to eat the whole fruit so you are getting the fiber that nature intended to go with sugar to keep things moving in your system and lessen the sugar load that is ideal.

Try eliminating anything processed that way you can better control the sugar. If that's impossible watch out for "low fat" labeled foods as they add other forms of sugar to compensate for the fat/flavour they remove. Read somewhere that we have gotten even fatter since the low fat craze began (I think in the 80's or early 90's). There are many more knowledgeable folks on the site so I'm sure you'll get some great tips.

Well, this topic will go on forever with every opinion. I did not mean to imply that sugar is EVIL or that I NEVER, EVER have it. But those who watch their sugar intake will also automatically and without trying to follow a "diet" can lose weight simply by cutting out lots of sugar and the "junk" carbs. If you consume a lot of it, you might as well give yourself a huge dose of insulin, which = fat storing hormone. I steer clear of everything I know is loaded ... sugared cereal, cookies, cakes, etc. as well as TRANS fats. After a few weeks of this, I rarely have cravings for it. And no, all sugar is not equal. Someone (don't even recall what product it's for) runs a commercial where the person makes a statement that "sugar is sugar". That's not true. I'm not much of a fruit person, but I have the fruits I like (which happen to be some of the lowest sugar ones...strawberries, watermelon) but this natural sugar is not the same as the high fructose "CHEAP" sugar in processed junk food and hidden in lots of other foods so they don't have to list "SUGAR" as a top ingredient. There are studies that show the "CHEAP" high fructose syrup sugar inhibits our hormones from signalling the brain when we're full. And people who keep eating or eat when not hungry...which = gaining weight - what do people tend to eat when they're not really hungry...SUGAR or salt. Staying conscious of how much sugar you consume and being aware of it - helps you eat healthy without feeling deprived, it becomes a lifestyle and not a 'diet'.

Opinion, anecdotal, and some just wrong. Your body treats all sugars the same. You can over eat and gain weight while not eating sugar. Please post these studies. Thanks.

Your body might but your mind ... not necessarily. For those people who have a hard time not going overboard with sugary things, it may be best for them to eliminate the 'crap' sugary things rather than to try and fit them into their daily cals.

Um, no. Not really.

Um, yes. Really.

Just because that route may not work for you doesn't mean it won't work for someone else.

You are confusing your opinion with science. Any peer reviewed studies to back it up? Sugar is not addictive and would necessarily have to be for your premise to be true. Lack of self control isn't addiction.

Never said sugar is evil, never said it was an addiction. What I actually said was "For those people who have a hard time not going overboard with sugary things, it may be best for them to eliminate the 'crap' sugary things rather than to try and fit them into their daily cals".

What you just said is complete rubbish. 1800 calories of healthy food is not the same as 1800 calories of bad food. Would you like to point me to a someone in peek condition, who spends their life working on their body. That piles down a whole pile of junk food and have their health at an optimum level. I'm sorry it just does not work that way. Plus more importantly what about health! If the op starts consuming 1800 calories of junk food he is hardly going to feel good or have good energy levels.


To the op if you want to cut down on sugar you should eat good fats instead. It helps to curb the cravings. So if you start craving something sweet eat a small piece of cheese or have some butter on toast. Good fats to eat would be olive oil, avocado and almonds. It will help with those sugar cravings in the first few weeks. Rest assured it will get better after two weeks and you will have so much more energy. Not to mention you will sleep better and you will eat less food. This is because your body will regulate its self better and you wont be over eating like sugar makes you do.

Also avoid low fat foods at all cost. Its no secret that those foods a packed full of sugar to give it flavor.

Like other people have said drinking plenty of water is a life saver.

Also going for a walk or some incidental exercise helps to stop cravings as well. As exercise is an appetite suppressant.

Also if you want a treat with sugar have some dark chocolate instead. Chocolate has fat in it so while your getting sugar you wont go over board while eating it because of the fat content will stop you.

One last thing its ok to have an occasional treat but make sure you or someone in your family bakes it from scratch. Just to avoid all the nasty preservatives and additives in food.

Good luck in reducing your sugar in take and you can do this. Your mind is far more powerful than a craving for sugar.

P.S I also learnt from personal experience if you make baked sweet treats but the next day your craving more. That is the big sign that body is becoming re-addicted so its much better to stop at that point then keep going.

I also learnt from personal experience if *I* make baked sweet treats but the next day *I'M* craving more. That is the big sign that *MY* body is becoming re-addicted so its much better to stop at that point then keep going.

Fixed for you.

What you just said is complete rubbish. 1800 calories of healthy food is not the same as 1800 calories of bad food. Would you like to point me to a someone in peek condition, who spends their life working on their body. That piles down a whole pile of junk food and have their health at an optimum level. I'm sorry it just does not work that way. Plus more importantly what about health! If the op starts consuming 1800 calories of junk food he is hardly going to feel good or have good energy levels.

No one is arguing in favor of a diet with an extreme amount of sugar (okay, someone out there probably is but ignore it if you see it). What many of us are arguing in favor of is moderation. If one focuses on a healthy calorie count (which can be gaining or losing) and hits solid macro numbers, i.e. plenty of protein, a variety of fats, and sufficient fiber while eating enough fruits and vegetables to satisfy micronutrient needs, then there is no reason to worry about sugar intake. Absolutist diets such as cutting out ALL sugar are not sustainable, and frankly, I'd argue that they aren't helping anyone's mental health either. It's about balance. That said, I get removing "trigger foods" temporarily to learn self control.

A BIG thing I have found to reduce sugar is to read all the labels on food. For instance, I purchase Greek yogurt that has less than 12 grams of sugar in it per serving. Too much sugar...for me...makes my heart race. It is amazing how much hidden sugar is in our food, and by reading labels, you can make better choices. Regular Yogurt can have as much as 30 grams of sugar in a serving. And for those of us watching calories and avoiding sugar, it does add up fast. It does take some time to go "sugar free" if you will. You will go through withdrawals, headaches, cravings and such. The more sugar that is in your diet, the more you crave. Start slowly and start reducing the amount your eating. I use Stevia in baking and on fruits, if they need just a little more sweetening. Also, others have commented that HFCS ( high fructose corn syrup) is bad, and it is. It's also hidden in foods.

While I perceive that as being true for you, it does not mean it's true for others. Some people are totally healthy and have no problems with sugar. In fact, sugar in of and itself is not bad, and how much the average person--average meaning someone who does not have blood sugar problems or other medical issues dictating sugar intake--is individual preference.

As for me, If I eat boatloads of sugary stuff, namely sweets (candy, cookies, cake), I too will get a racing heart and an eventual headache, and a few other symptoms I don't care to mention. But, that is just me. Many people I know can eat more sugar than what makes my heart race and they function just fine without the symptoms I get However, this past year I have learned how to do portion control, therefore I do still eat some sugar, but in moderation. For example, I've found some lactose free chocolate ice cream and I'm happy as a lark. I portion it out to what I want within my calorie goals.

This is not directed to you, but I see way too much propaganda advocating that sugar is the root of all evil. Yes, there is quite a bit of sugar in processed foods, including high fructose syrup which can send me into a weirdo tailspin, but that is about me and no one else. I think it's silly to project our own stuff about certain foods onto society as a whole.

What you just said is complete rubbish. 1800 calories of healthy food is not the same as 1800 calories of bad food. Would you like to point me to a someone in peek condition, who spends their life working on their body. That piles down a whole pile of junk food and have their health at an optimum level. I'm sorry it just does not work that way. Plus more importantly what about health! If the op starts consuming 1800 calories of junk food he is hardly going to feel good or have good energy levels.


To the op if you want to cut down on sugar you should eat good fats instead. It helps to curb the cravings. So if you start craving something sweet eat a small piece of cheese or have some butter on toast. Good fats to eat would be olive oil, avocado and almonds. It will help with those sugar cravings in the first few weeks. Rest assured it will get better after two weeks and you will have so much more energy. Not to mention you will sleep better and you will eat less food. This is because your body will regulate its self better and you wont be over eating like sugar makes you do.

Also avoid low fat foods at all cost. Its no secret that those foods a packed full of sugar to give it flavor.

Like other people have said drinking plenty of water is a life saver.

Also going for a walk or some incidental exercise helps to stop cravings as well. As exercise is an appetite suppressant.

Also if you want a treat with sugar have some dark chocolate instead. Chocolate has fat in it so while your getting sugar you wont go over board while eating it because of the fat content will stop you.

One last thing its ok to have an occasional treat but make sure you or someone in your family bakes it from scratch. Just to avoid all the nasty preservatives and additives in food.

Good luck in reducing your sugar in take and you can do this. Your mind is far more powerful than a craving for sugar.

P.S I also learnt from personal experience if you make baked sweet treats but the next day your craving more. That is the big sign that body is becoming re-addicted so its much better to stop at that point then keep going.

Usain Bolt ate nothing but chicken mcnuggets during the Olympics. Michael Phelps ate 12,000 calories of essentially junk food while he won 8 gold medals and set world records. Your argument is completely flawed.

Of the tragic, avoidable deaths across the country, one cause stands out well beyond all others.

[snipped]

And the second leading cause of death is uncited copypasta plagiarism.

I suspect that Zack McMillin would appreciate it if you would give him credit for his 12/30/2009 work.



For some reason, you omitted the conclusion of his article though:

Advocates stress that while some fatal accidents are tragically unavoidable, there are factors that can increase or reduce risk.

Memphis personal-injury lawyer James Ferrell offers five tips:

— Pay attention: Eliminate distractions so that you are more aware of surroundings.

— Don't speed: Decreases in reaction time combined with increases in energy released on impact make each mile above the speed limit ever more dangerous.

— Wear your seatbelt.

— Communicate while you drive: Use signals, make gradual lane transitions, take your time to brake, give yourself plenty of driving room.

— Keep space and pace: Tailgaters aren't just annoying, they're dangerous. Create predictability with consistent speeds. Give mergers plenty of space.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/dec/30/danger-of-driving-underrated/

For me personally it is the reduction of added sugar. That means for me less processed foods, and using less sugar in my coffee and finding alternatives in recipes. In my experience the more you have it the more you crave it, and so I feel better and desire it less by eating less added sugar. Let’s be clear there is a difference between Oreos and an apple, mainly fiber and enzymes that are not found processed crap which cause a slow release of insulin when you eat fruit vs. crap. That’s why you can eat a package of Oreo’s and still goes back for more (i.e. lacking fiber and enzymes) vs. eating an apple and being content with one.
On a side note I stopped using artificial sweeteners which I also believe contribute to the increased cravings. So I am ok with using the real thing in moderation.
I constantly read labels because we have Celiac, dairy and other food allergies in the house and so I am aware of all the great names sugar, gluten and dairy can be labeled as, and its mind blowing.
We have made an effort to buy from local farms through a CSA’s and buy 1/4 cow and butchers hog. We try to limit what we buy from the store to what’s necessary.
I think it’s being more mindful and taking a balanced approach.

Of the tragic, avoidable deaths across the country, one cause stands out well beyond all others.

[snipped]

And the second leading cause of death is uncited copypasta plagiarism.

I suspect that Zack McMillin would appreciate it if you would give him credit for his 12/30/2009 work.



For some reason, you omitted the conclusion of his article though:

Advocates stress that while some fatal accidents are tragically unavoidable, there are factors that can increase or reduce risk.

Memphis personal-injury lawyer James Ferrell offers five tips:

— Pay attention: Eliminate distractions so that you are more aware of surroundings.

— Don't speed: Decreases in reaction time combined with increases in energy released on impact make each mile above the speed limit ever more dangerous.

— Wear your seatbelt.

— Communicate while you drive: Use signals, make gradual lane transitions, take your time to brake, give yourself plenty of driving room.

— Keep space and pace: Tailgaters aren't just annoying, they're dangerous. Create predictability with consistent speeds. Give mergers plenty of space.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/dec/30/danger-of-driving-underrated/

I was just trying to make a point that there will never be a cure for obesity in America because Americans will risk death to avoid any movement which, in itself is a major cause of obesity.