Sugar

What are your guys thought's on sugar? I am finding it hard to keep my consumption down, I am eating 150-200+ grams of it a day. Mostly from fruit, cereal (milk), protein shakes (milk), yogurts..

Replies

  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    I ignore it. Total carbs is what is important.
  • lisanangel
    lisanangel Posts: 148 Member
    I try to limit sugar as it causes inflammation.
  • kynsie2
    kynsie2 Posts: 35 Member
    Added sugar is the single worst ingredient in the modern diet.
    Sugar contains a lot of calories, with no essential nutrients. When repeatedly eating large amounts of sugar, this process can lead to fatty liver and all sorts of serious problems.
    Not to mention diabetes, obesity and some studies say links to heart disease.
  • sloth3toes
    sloth3toes Posts: 2,212 Member
    What are your guys thought's on sugar? I am finding it hard to keep my consumption down, I am eating 150-200+ grams of it a day. Mostly from fruit, cereal (milk), protein shakes (milk), yogurts..

    @ 387 calories / 100 grams..... sugar can probably be part of your total plan to gain weight.
  • Tashia_HH
    Tashia_HH Posts: 99 Member
    It causes inflammation for me so I try to stay away from it. The only sugar I eat comes from fruits and I try to keep that low based on the glycemic index.
  • I try to limit sugar as it causes inflammation.

    bingo!
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    It helps make food tasty. I don't track it - its part of carbs - I track that.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Added sugar is the single worst ingredient in the modern diet.
    Sugar contains a lot of calories, with no essential nutrients. When repeatedly eating large amounts of sugar, this process can lead to fatty liver and all sorts of serious problems.
    Not to mention diabetes, obesity and some studies say links to heart disease.

    Read the OP.


    And no, it is not the single worst ingredient in the modern diet. There is no single worst ingredient in the modern diet. Well, except pineapple as that shiz is evil.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    It helps make food tasty. I don't track it - its part of carbs - I track that.

    ^This

    Added sugar is the single worst ingredient in the modern diet.
    Sugar contains a lot of calories, with no essential nutrients. When repeatedly eating large amounts of sugar, this process can lead to fatty liver and all sorts of serious problems.
    Not to mention diabetes, obesity and some studies say links to heart disease.

    Read the OP.


    And no, it is not the single worst ingredient in the modern diet. There is no single worst ingredient in the modern diet. Well, except pineapple as that shiz is evil.

    ^QFT, especially the pineapple bit. Bleh.
  • socalkay
    socalkay Posts: 746 Member
    I ignore sugar from fruit or other natural sources. I pay attention to processed or added sugar. I try to keep that at or below 30g/day.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Added Sugar is the reason why most of us are overweight!

    I'm on the wagon again - i.e. off cookies - candy etc until Christmas - it's the only way I can do this.

    Funny, but studies show otherwise. The increase in weight in the US on average tracks with the increased consumption of a combination of foods - and sugar is not the highest, based on government surveys of consumption and activity over the years.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Added Sugar is the reason why most of us are overweight!

    I'm on the wagon again - i.e. off cookies - candy etc until Christmas - it's the only way I can do this.
    No the reason most of us got over weight was eating too much food. Those calories came from Protein fats and carbs, so yes. I'm off to enjoy my cupcake now
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Added Sugar is the reason why most of us are overweight!

    I'm on the wagon again - i.e. off cookies - candy etc until Christmas - it's the only way I can do this.

    Pretty sure that eating at a calorie surplus is why most of us are overweight, not sugar.

    Funny, but studies show otherwise. The increase in weight in the US on average tracks with the increased consumption of a combination of foods - and sugar is not the highest, based on government surveys of consumption and activity over the years.

    I know that I overate/tend to overeat more with "regular foods" than sugary type ones.
  • radmack
    radmack Posts: 272 Member
    My opinion on sugar is that it tastes amazing, but I have to limit it. Sadly I have blood sugar issues.
  • psych101
    psych101 Posts: 1,842 Member
    Added sugar is the single worst ingredient in the modern diet.
    Sugar contains a lot of calories, with no essential nutrients. When repeatedly eating large amounts of sugar, this process can lead to fatty liver and all sorts of serious problems.
    Not to mention diabetes, obesity and some studies say links to heart disease.

    Read the OP.


    And no, it is not the single worst ingredient in the modern diet. There is no single worst ingredient in the modern diet. Well, except pineapple as that shiz is evil.

    ^^ yep this.

    I never monitor my sugar, I wouldn't have a clue how much I eat - obviously it has completely prevented me from losing any weight....or something.

    And pineapple - blurgh :sick:
  • sloth3toes
    sloth3toes Posts: 2,212 Member

    There is no single worst ingredient in the modern diet. Well, except pineapple as that shiz is evil.

    Like we're supposed to believe you, Ed? :wink:
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    Added sugar is the single worst ingredient in the modern diet.
    Sugar contains a lot of calories, with no essential nutrients. When repeatedly eating large amounts of sugar, this process can lead to fatty liver and all sorts of serious problems.
    Not to mention diabetes, obesity and some studies say links to heart disease.

    Eating sugar does NOT cause diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is caused by a combination of risk factors (those who develop it usually have at least 2 or 3) including genetics, long term use of certain medications like antidepressants and statins, age, obesity, if your mother had gestational diabetes when carrying you, and there is some correlation (but not a proven causation) to environmental factors such as herbicides, BPA's, arsenic, etc.

    Yes, many who are T2D are overweight. Yes, most who are overweight are so because they ate too many calories which includes both simple (sugar) and complex (starch) carbohydrates. This does not mean that people develop T2D because they ate too many sugars.
  • cincysweetheart
    cincysweetheart Posts: 892 Member
    I try to avoid too many of the typically sugary foods (cookies, cakes, etc) although I certainly allow myself some from time to time. But I don't worry about the sugar that may come in breads, milk, etc. And DEFINITELY do not worry about the naturally occurring sugar in fruit.
  • LibertyBelle_75
    LibertyBelle_75 Posts: 20 Member
    For me personally, I'm an "all or nothing" type of person when it comes to added sugar. It is truly an addiction. By no means am I saying that it's addictive for everyone, but it is for me and I do best if I stay away from it. Refined and processed carbs are my nemesis.

    I highly suggest watching the documentary "Fed Up" for anyone who has issues with food, particularly sugar.

    Best of luck to you! :)
  • Niff314
    Niff314 Posts: 113 Member
    I find the problem with sugar is that it triggers an insulin response, making you more hungry. Keeping to my diet has been relatively easy since giving up sugar.
  • ChrisM8971
    ChrisM8971 Posts: 1,067 Member

    There is no single worst ingredient in the modern diet. Well, except pineapple as that shiz is evil.

    Like we're supposed to believe you, Ed? :wink:

    I think pineapple gets a bad rap, apart from when it contaminates a pizza and then, yes, it is evil
  • Niff314
    Niff314 Posts: 113 Member
    Pineapple is awesome in my whey shakes. Omnomnom.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member

    There is no single worst ingredient in the modern diet. Well, except pineapple as that shiz is evil.

    Like we're supposed to believe you, Ed? :wink:

    LMFAO!!!
  • SteveJWatson
    SteveJWatson Posts: 1,225 Member
    I find the problem with sugar is that it triggers an insulin response, making you more hungry. Keeping to my diet has been relatively easy since giving up sugar.

    Which is precisely what you are aiming to do if you are wanting to gain muscle mass.
  • SteveJWatson
    SteveJWatson Posts: 1,225 Member
    Added Sugar is the reason why most of us are overweight!

    I'm on the wagon again - i.e. off cookies - candy etc until Christmas - it's the only way I can do this.

    Why on earth would this matter to someone trying to GAIN WEIGHT.

    Jeeeesus, what has become of the "aim to gain" subforum?
  • Snypa1
    Snypa1 Posts: 31 Member
    Thanks for all the replies guys.

    I was doing some research. I learned that the sugar from fruits is not really a bad thing. Apparently they are locked within the fiber which the body needs to break down before the sugar is released and as such the sugar is released slowly into the system. This does not cause your body to react to an influx of energy the same way it does from 'added sugar' and therefore does not cause any spikes such as your insulin levels.

    Hope I understood that correctly and bring on the fruit!
  • sensitivefool
    sensitivefool Posts: 343 Member
    I personally feel that fruits and veggies with sugar is just fine. I would personally forego the yogurt...
    I mean, it's not like you're eating giant bags of sour patch kids.
    I somehow keep my sugar low... If It helps you can always double check and rethink the s content before actually eating it...
    :)
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    Thanks for all the replies guys.

    I was doing some research. I learned that the sugar from fruits is not really a bad thing. Apparently they are locked within the fiber which the body needs to break down before the sugar is released and as such the sugar is released slowly into the system. This does not cause your body to react to an influx of energy the same way it does from 'added sugar' and therefore does not cause any spikes such as your insulin levels.

    Hope I understood that correctly and bring on the fruit!

    Yes, eating carbs with fiber does lessen the insulin spikes. That does not mean your insulin does not get raised. The difference is that, with fiber your insulin goes up some and stays there for a long period of time whereas with carbs not included with fiber your insulin goes up quicker, but goes down quicker. In a normal person, this doesn't mean too much except for the possibility of low energy about 2 hours after eating a high carb with no fiber meal (think traditional Thanksgiving fare with the potatoes, stuffing, yams, dinner rolls, etc It's not the tryptophan that puts you in a coma, it's the insulin from the high carb meal wearing off). For T2 diabetics, it means even less unless you have a tendency towards dangerous high or low numbers. The A1C test that is taken every 3 months shows the average blood sugar levels over that 3 month period and it doesn't matter if you have had peaks and valleys or a fairly level amount of insulin. This is why T2D's are told to monitor total carbs, not net carbs.

    in other words, eating fruit is good but for most people the only difference between eating the sugars in fruit and other sugars is a possible, temporary, change in energy. Sugar found in fruit is not more healthy than added sugar, but the other things you ingest along with that sugar is. Same thing with flour. Eating things made with white flour will spike your insulin, but it will go down quickly too. Eating whole grains with fiber will raise the insulin to a lower amount and keep it there for a longer period of time.