Gave up sugar (added sugar) feel great for it
Replies
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Mmmmmmm.....
Once I started logging my food intake, I saw how much sugar I was eating.chicacherry666 wrote: »Well I'm not amazing right now coz I'm sick but I gave up things with added sugar entirely about 3 months ago, plus I stopped eating red meat 1 and a half months ago and haven't eaten fast food since primary school coz I hate the taste. I feel more energetic however I allow myself to eat sugar 10 days in the year and I make sure I follow through after awhile you don't even miss it it's the first 2-4 weeks that are hardest now I don't look back!!!
OUCH!
I cut that in half and still eat well. I was killing myself with sugar and did not realize it.
How so?
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PotentiallyCrazy wrote: »Yep, a lot of that sugary carby stuff (including pasta, which I love) causes me crazy desires to eat more following that slump. I find that I can't completely eliminate these things but I'm doing what I can to cut back as I realize just how much added sugar is in most processed foods, even those labeled as healthy. & it involves a lot of eating in moderation & making choices. It's very difficult for me to say no to someone who has baked me a birthday cake, but I can take a smaller piece & make sure the rest of my daily intake is higher in protein & more balanced. It's a process of finding what works for you.
If something works for someone, don't knock it just because it's not an option you would personally consider. Be curious, keep learning, & be supportive of others
it is being knocked because it does not make sense…if added sugar and natural sugar are the same, which they are, then what is the point of eliminating added sugar? It is pointless...0 -
PotentiallyCrazy wrote: »Yep, a lot of that sugary carby stuff (including pasta, which I love) causes me crazy desires to eat more following that slump. I find that I can't completely eliminate these things but I'm doing what I can to cut back as I realize just how much added sugar is in most processed foods, even those labeled as healthy. & it involves a lot of eating in moderation & making choices. It's very difficult for me to say no to someone who has baked me a birthday cake, but I can take a smaller piece & make sure the rest of my daily intake is higher in protein & more balanced. It's a process of finding what works for you.
If something works for someone, don't knock it just because it's not an option you would personally consider. Be curious, keep learning, & be supportive of others
it is being knocked because it does not make sense…if added sugar and natural sugar are the same, which they are, then what is the point of eliminating added sugar? It is pointless...
I would agree. There is a difference between not eating something because of how it makes your body feel and not eating it because you see it as bad.
No food is good or bad, it's just.....food.
And, sugar is indeed sugar.0 -
I agree that cutting sugar is beneficial. Not 100% necessary if you are on a balanced diet, but certainly helpful.
But we are all different.0 -
Paul_Collyer wrote: »I agree that cutting sugar is beneficial. Not 100% necessary if you are on a balanced diet, but certainly helpful.
But we are all different.
Please share why.
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Paul_Collyer wrote: »I agree that cutting sugar is beneficial. Not 100% necessary if you are on a balanced diet, but certainly helpful.
But we are all different.
assuming no underlying medical condition we should all be the same when it comes to sugar….0 -
Paul_Collyer wrote: »I agree that cutting sugar is beneficial. Not 100% necessary if you are on a balanced diet, but certainly helpful.
But we are all different.
When you are trying to lose weight, cutting back on (calories) all foods is beneficial. For most of us, overeating food has gotten us to MFP.0 -
PotentiallyCrazy wrote: »Yep, a lot of that sugary carby stuff (including pasta, which I love) causes me crazy desires to eat more following that slump. I find that I can't completely eliminate these things but I'm doing what I can to cut back as I realize just how much added sugar is in most processed foods, even those labeled as healthy. & it involves a lot of eating in moderation & making choices. It's very difficult for me to say no to someone who has baked me a birthday cake, but I can take a smaller piece & make sure the rest of my daily intake is higher in protein & more balanced. It's a process of finding what works for you.
If something works for someone, don't knock it just because it's not an option you would personally consider. Be curious, keep learning, & be supportive of others
it is being knocked because it does not make sense…if added sugar and natural sugar are the same, which they are, then what is the point of eliminating added sugar? It is pointless...
perhaps because the GI of foods such as many fruits is lower than say, candy. I would argue that 'sugar and natural sugar' are not the same, as for instance, argave nectar has a low GI compared to table sugar. And also perhaps because some people find it hard to eat candy and desserts in moderation, where as they do not have that issue when eating fruit.
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Bingo as to the bold part.PotentiallyCrazy wrote: »Yep, a lot of that sugary carby stuff (including pasta, which I love) causes me crazy desires to eat more following that slump. I find that I can't completely eliminate these things but I'm doing what I can to cut back as I realize just how much added sugar is in most processed foods, even those labeled as healthy. & it involves a lot of eating in moderation & making choices. It's very difficult for me to say no to someone who has baked me a birthday cake, but I can take a smaller piece & make sure the rest of my daily intake is higher in protein & more balanced. It's a process of finding what works for you.
If something works for someone, don't knock it just because it's not an option you would personally consider. Be curious, keep learning, & be supportive of others
it is being knocked because it does not make sense…if added sugar and natural sugar are the same, which they are, then what is the point of eliminating added sugar? It is pointless...
perhaps because the GI of foods such as many fruits is lower than say, candy. I would argue that 'sugar and natural sugar' are not the same, as for instance, argave nectar has a low GI compared to table sugar. And also perhaps because some people find it hard to eat candy and desserts in moderation, where as they do not have that issue when eating fruit.
Moderation takes willpower. And, if most people stuff themselves on any kind of food, they are likely to get sick.
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Also food like cakes and desserts tend not to have so many other nutrients, so if you are on a calorie restricted diet then you could be using a large portion of those calories on something with little nutrition.0
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Good for you! If you are trying to lose weight, you need to cut calories somehow. Some people do it with added sugars, some don't. You're not doing anything harmful to your body by not putting sugar in your coffee. And you are not preaching to anyone either. I don't see an issue at all with the OP.0
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Bingo as to the bold part.PotentiallyCrazy wrote: »Yep, a lot of that sugary carby stuff (including pasta, which I love) causes me crazy desires to eat more following that slump. I find that I can't completely eliminate these things but I'm doing what I can to cut back as I realize just how much added sugar is in most processed foods, even those labeled as healthy. & it involves a lot of eating in moderation & making choices. It's very difficult for me to say no to someone who has baked me a birthday cake, but I can take a smaller piece & make sure the rest of my daily intake is higher in protein & more balanced. It's a process of finding what works for you.
If something works for someone, don't knock it just because it's not an option you would personally consider. Be curious, keep learning, & be supportive of others
it is being knocked because it does not make sense…if added sugar and natural sugar are the same, which they are, then what is the point of eliminating added sugar? It is pointless...
perhaps because the GI of foods such as many fruits is lower than say, candy. I would argue that 'sugar and natural sugar' are not the same, as for instance, argave nectar has a low GI compared to table sugar. And also perhaps because some people find it hard to eat candy and desserts in moderation, where as they do not have that issue when eating fruit.
Moderation takes willpower. And, if most people stuff themselves on any kind of food, they are likely to get sick.
If refined sugar is likely to test someone's willpower than isn't ok to omit it altogether though? I think that when I eat high GI foods I crave more, (as well as having other effects such as energy slumps) so I stay away from them altogether. Other people in my household do not have this issue and manage to eat sugar in moderation.0 -
To the OP, congrats on starting a new healthy habit by kicking a bad one!
I have cut out refined sugar completely, as well as processed food as a result of it making me feel so yuck all the time. Over the years, I have come to understand the way my body responds to certain things.....I have NO tolerance (physically) for HFCS or Sugar made from sugar beet. And I know when I eat something that contains either one ( the lymph nodes in my neck swell)(My Dr. said it's probably due to the chemicals in the GMO's). I also definately notice the instant headache I get if I eat refined sugar.....and subsequent crash in blood sugar.
I always love seeing the "sugar is sugar" argument......I have never gotten sick from fruit and beg to differ. It seems that those in the scientific community would probably agree with me.
Great article in Scientific America about the difference in a short term consumption of fructose and glucose: http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post/not-all-sugars-are-created-equal-2009-04-20/?id=not-all-sugars-are-created-equal-2009-04-20
So OP--way to go!!!0 -
chicacherry666 wrote: »Well I'm not amazing right now coz I'm sick but I gave up things with added sugar entirely about 3 months ago, plus I stopped eating red meat 1 and a half months ago and haven't eaten fast food since primary school coz I hate the taste. I feel more energetic however I allow myself to eat sugar 10 days in the year and I make sure I follow through after awhile you don't even miss it it's the first 2-4 weeks that are hardest now I don't look back!!!
Unless your doctor tells you to give up sugar or red meat, or anything else, or you just simply don't like these foods, then there's no reason to give any of it up.
Sugar is sugar whether it comes added or not.
As for me, I don't eat foods with high fructose syrup because I feel icky every single time I do, but it's not the HFS itself but how it makes my body feel.
So not eating foods because they make you feel icky is a good reason. ok: foods with added sugar (including HFCS) make me feel icky.
Icky being: inclined to overeat. Inclined to be cranky. Inclined to get a tummy ache (store bought bread), inclined to feel bloated...icky. 0 -
Also food like cakes and desserts tend not to have so many other nutrients, so if you are on a calorie restricted diet then you could be using a large portion of those calories on something with little nutrition.
so if I take a fiber capsule with my cheesecake it is now "better" because I have added "nutrients"…..0 -
I've never heard of fiber capsules so I wouldn't know, but for me, I would rather have 400 cals worth of vegetables, grains, fruit, nuts and fish than cheesecake. Because I am more likely to get a range of nutrients. That said, I've seen some people concoct desserts with all manner of healthy ingredients so I suppose it depends on what you put in your cheesecake!0
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Also food like cakes and desserts tend not to have so many other nutrients, so if you are on a calorie restricted diet then you could be using a large portion of those calories on something with little nutrition.
so if I take a fiber capsule with my cheesecake it is now "better" because I have added "nutrients"…..
I'm assuming you know that fiber isn't a nutrient and are being argumentative for the Lolz. Unless you didn't know... In which case I assume you'll want to research that further.
In regards to your initial post I'm assuming you meant to say "is op claiming NATURAL sugar is better for you than added sugar". You had it mixed up which is why so much confusion stemmed from that post. As far as I could tell she didn't make such claims, she only shared a behavior that's benefited her.
Anyway, if cutting out "added sugar" helps assist in lowering overall calorie consumption then more power to OP. Generally if OP is getting sugar from "natural" sources it will be found in a low calorie, high micronutrient (vitamins and minerals), and high fiber package. If you're going to opt for something sweet why not get the biggest nutritional bang for your calorie buck?
I personally understand your argument that sugar is sugar, but that doesn't really matter in this context as op is not making fanatical dietary claims about how she's a doctor or such and such study proved naturally occurring sugar is molecularly different from non-natural sources and some fake voodoo magic is behind her feeling better. She never said "I am a reputable source for this information, I have proof, and this is the way it is (fact)".
We understand that she is simply a member of the general public and is providing anectodal evidence. Quite frankly if a new member runs across this topic and takes her advice as proof of the above without researching anything for themselves I'm sad to say their ignorance is their own problem.0 -
To lower the amount of sugar she consumes, obviously. She has probably got a lower calorie budget than you do.0
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Well, okay then!Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »chicacherry666 wrote: »Well I'm not amazing right now coz I'm sick but I gave up things with added sugar entirely about 3 months ago, plus I stopped eating red meat 1 and a half months ago and haven't eaten fast food since primary school coz I hate the taste. I feel more energetic however I allow myself to eat sugar 10 days in the year and I make sure I follow through after awhile you don't even miss it it's the first 2-4 weeks that are hardest now I don't look back!!!
Unless your doctor tells you to give up sugar or red meat, or anything else, or you just simply don't like these foods, then there's no reason to give any of it up.
Sugar is sugar whether it comes added or not.
As for me, I don't eat foods with high fructose syrup because I feel icky every single time I do, but it's not the HFS itself but how it makes my body feel.
So not eating foods because they make you feel icky is a good reason. ok: foods with added sugar (including HFCS) make me feel icky. Icky being: inclined to overeat. Inclined to be cranky. Inclined to get a tummy ache (store bought bread), inclined to feel bloated...icky.
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I've never heard of fiber capsules so I wouldn't know, but for me, I would rather have 400 cals worth of vegetables, grains, fruit, nuts and fish than cheesecake. Because I am more likely to get a range of nutrients. That said, I've seen some people concoct desserts with all manner of healthy ingredients so I suppose it depends on what you put in your cheesecake!
It would also depend on what you define as healthy.0 -
DeirdreWoodwardSanders wrote: »I stopped eating sugar 9 and a half years ago. By sugar, I mean desserts of any kind -- cake, pie, cookies, donuts, sweet breads, and anything like that. That includes all the sugar-free varieties of desserts also. I gave them up because I couldn't stop eating them once I started, and I ended up weighing 215 pounds.
Here are the benefits I felt immediately: no period cramps. No crazy mood swings. No massive weight gains (in fact, I lost 20 pounds in about three weeks). No more homicidal rages. No more canker sores. Food like broccoli and fish and water tasted better.
I do eat non-dessert foods with refined sugar (Cheerios, ketchup, pizza) but I try to make sure that refined sugar is at least the fourth or smaller (fifth, sixth, etc.) ingredient in my meal. Sometimes I have a muffin for breakfast, so sugar is about 50 percent of my meal, but I pay for it later in the day because I start to feel moody and angry.
I don't feel nasty or in a bad mood when I eat fruit (yogurt, Cheerios, and applesauce, or cereal with a banana, or an orange in the afternoon, or a fruit salad with lunch). I have learned that chicken with mango salsa and pasta sets me off into a rage -- I don't know why, since ham and pineapple pizza is just fine. Anyhow, my point is that sugar in fruit doesn't mess me up while a Snicker's bar will send me down the rabbit hole.
So my overall point is, for some of us, refined sugar ("added sugar") is the devil while fruit ("natural sugar") is just fine.
I know this is tl;dr so thanks for all of you who stuck with me this far!
Great read. I'm going on almost three weeks in adopting a nearly identical lifestyle change. Nothing I've ever tried has given me such positive results and seemed so completely sustainable. Dare I say these changes are pretty damn easy? I am constantly full before reaching my calorie limit, because I can eat plenty of food when there is no allotment for sugary junk. It's nice to hear from someone who has been doing this for almost 10 years. Cheers.0 -
rainbowbow wrote: »Also food like cakes and desserts tend not to have so many other nutrients, so if you are on a calorie restricted diet then you could be using a large portion of those calories on something with little nutrition.
so if I take a fiber capsule with my cheesecake it is now "better" because I have added "nutrients"…..
I'm assuming you know that fiber isn't a nutrient and are being argumentative for the Lolz. Unless you didn't know... In which case I assume you'll want to research that further.
In regards to your initial post I'm assuming you meant to say "is op claiming NATURAL sugar is better for you than added sugar". You had it mixed up which is why so much confusion stemmed from that post. As far as I could tell she didn't make such claims, she only shared a behavior that's benefited her.
Anyway, if cutting out "added sugar" helps assist in lowering overall calorie consumption then more power to OP. Generally if OP is getting sugar from "natural" sources it will be found in a low calorie, high micronutrient (vitamins and minerals), and high fiber package. If you're going to opt for something sweet why not get the biggest nutritional bang for your calorie buck?
I personally understand your argument that sugar is sugar, but that doesn't really matter in this context as op is not making fanatical dietary claims about how she's a doctor or such and such study proved naturally occurring sugar is molecularly different from non-natural sources and some fake voodoo magic is behind her feeling better. She never said "I am a reputable source for this information, I have proof, and this is the way it is (fact)".
We understand that she is simply a member of the general public and is providing anectodal evidence. Quite frankly if a new member runs across this topic and takes her advice as proof of the above without researching anything for themselves I'm sad to say their ignorance is their own problem.
Also, I'll just mention one last thing. The forums are here for people to share their experiences, learn, and interact with like minded people. So long as someone is sharing their experience and not providing intentionally or unintentionally dangerous/unfounded advice they should have an opportunity to share their experience.
For example, let's say someone chooses a low carb lifestyle and its helped them stick to their calorie goals and they've found success. There's no reason for us to all flood their thread and tell them how much of an idiot they are and why they're wrong. If it's worked for them then we can support them for finding something that worked for them and wish them luck on their way.
I think it's generally understood that we are not medical professionals, researchers, or the like capable of sharing most information as fact. If someone is spouting complete nonsense that is harmful sure, call them out, but let's not argue just for the sake or arguing.0 -
All of these comments from people not understanding the harm of added sugars is slightly alarming....
I definitely haven't completely given up added sugars (take 5's are just too good) but when I do cut out processed foods (laden with sugar and salt) I feel immensely better. Everyone questioning why the OP would ever give up added sugars should try it before they bash it. I remember how energized I felt every single day this summer when I wouldn't touch most processed foods.0 -
This is a really good lecture on the effects of fructose on the body:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM 0 -
All of these comments from people not understanding the harm of added sugars is slightly alarming....
I definitely haven't completely given up added sugars (take 5's are just too good) but when I do cut out processed foods (laden with sugar and salt) I feel immensely better. Everyone questioning why the OP would ever give up added sugars should try it before they bash it. I remember how energized I felt every single day this summer when I wouldn't touch most processed foods.
No, it's alarming how people demonize sugar, and that is what people are getting called out on here.
How do you know that people sharing their opinions with the OP have not given up sugar for various reasons?
So, what I'm reading is, for you, giving up processed foods has increased your energy. That's wonderful. However, it's not the same for everyone else, and it does not mean there is anything wrong with processed foods.
Some people function just fine on sugar and processed foods and are able to control their weight and feel just fine.
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All of these comments from people not understanding the harm of added sugars is slightly alarming....
I definitely haven't completely given up added sugars (take 5's are just too good) but when I do cut out processed foods (laden with sugar and salt) I feel immensely better. Everyone questioning why the OP would ever give up added sugars should try it before they bash it. I remember how energized I felt every single day this summer when I wouldn't touch most processed foods.
No, it's alarming how people demonize sugar, and that is what people are getting called out on here.
How do you know that people sharing their opinions with the OP have not given up sugar for various reasons?
So, what I'm reading is, for you, giving up processed foods has increased your energy. That's wonderful. However, it's not the same for everyone else, and it does not mean there is anything wrong with processed foods.
Some people function just fine on sugar and processed foods and are able to control their weight and feel just fine.
Here here! What a productive topic this has become!
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Paul_Collyer wrote: »I agree that cutting sugar is beneficial. Not 100% necessary if you are on a balanced diet, but certainly helpful.
But we are all different.
Please share why.
Why are we all different or why is it beneficial?
I'll answer the second. In my opinion sugar is a little like alcohol, an "empty calorie". In my anecdotal experience swapping sugar for stevia in tea and also trying to minimise my intake is resulting in a better weight loss for this stage* over the few weeks I have been trying it, as well as less hunger. And to clarify, I get most of my sugar intake from fresh fruit, mostly in the mornings.
That isnt to say I wont ever have a dessert if it fits into my diet/exercise plan etc. And it is just an opinion.
*I lost most of my weight in 2012/13 and didnt really worry too much about sugar at that point, just kept a balanced diet. But since hitting 80kg its been far harder to lose weight and so I figured for this post summer crack at MFP I'd try reducing sugar. So far the graph looks better than when I was doing MFP post summer a year ago.0 -
rainbowbow wrote: »Also food like cakes and desserts tend not to have so many other nutrients, so if you are on a calorie restricted diet then you could be using a large portion of those calories on something with little nutrition.
so if I take a fiber capsule with my cheesecake it is now "better" because I have added "nutrients"…..
I'm assuming you know that fiber isn't a nutrient and are being argumentative for the Lolz. Unless you didn't know... In which case I assume you'll want to research that further.
In regards to your initial post I'm assuming you meant to say "is op claiming NATURAL sugar is better for you than added sugar". You had it mixed up which is why so much confusion stemmed from that post. As far as I could tell she didn't make such claims, she only shared a behavior that's benefited her.
Anyway, if cutting out "added sugar" helps assist in lowering overall calorie consumption then more power to OP. Generally if OP is getting sugar from "natural" sources it will be found in a low calorie, high micronutrient (vitamins and minerals), and high fiber package. If you're going to opt for something sweet why not get the biggest nutritional bang for your calorie buck?
I personally understand your argument that sugar is sugar, but that doesn't really matter in this context as op is not making fanatical dietary claims about how she's a doctor or such and such study proved naturally occurring sugar is molecularly different from non-natural sources and some fake voodoo magic is behind her feeling better. She never said "I am a reputable source for this information, I have proof, and this is the way it is (fact)".
We understand that she is simply a member of the general public and is providing anectodal evidence. Quite frankly if a new member runs across this topic and takes her advice as proof of the above without researching anything for themselves I'm sad to say their ignorance is their own problem.
I was being facetious…
sarcasm much..?
as for what I bolded, if you think that then you have not been on MFP long enough ...0 -
All of these comments from people not understanding the harm of added sugars is slightly alarming....
I definitely haven't completely given up added sugars (take 5's are just too good) but when I do cut out processed foods (laden with sugar and salt) I feel immensely better. Everyone questioning why the OP would ever give up added sugars should try it before they bash it. I remember how energized I felt every single day this summer when I wouldn't touch most processed foods.
please explain how "added" sugar is more harmful than "natural" sugar….
As an FYI - we have already establish that they are the same in this thread…
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rainbowbow wrote: »Also food like cakes and desserts tend not to have so many other nutrients, so if you are on a calorie restricted diet then you could be using a large portion of those calories on something with little nutrition.
so if I take a fiber capsule with my cheesecake it is now "better" because I have added "nutrients"…..
I'm assuming you know that fiber isn't a nutrient and are being argumentative for the Lolz. Unless you didn't know... In which case I assume you'll want to research that further.
In regards to your initial post I'm assuming you meant to say "is op claiming NATURAL sugar is better for you than added sugar". You had it mixed up which is why so much confusion stemmed from that post. As far as I could tell she didn't make such claims, she only shared a behavior that's benefited her.
Anyway, if cutting out "added sugar" helps assist in lowering overall calorie consumption then more power to OP. Generally if OP is getting sugar from "natural" sources it will be found in a low calorie, high micronutrient (vitamins and minerals), and high fiber package. If you're going to opt for something sweet why not get the biggest nutritional bang for your calorie buck?
I personally understand your argument that sugar is sugar, but that doesn't really matter in this context as op is not making fanatical dietary claims about how she's a doctor or such and such study proved naturally occurring sugar is molecularly different from non-natural sources and some fake voodoo magic is behind her feeling better. She never said "I am a reputable source for this information, I have proof, and this is the way it is (fact)".
We understand that she is simply a member of the general public and is providing anectodal evidence. Quite frankly if a new member runs across this topic and takes her advice as proof of the above without researching anything for themselves I'm sad to say their ignorance is their own problem.
I was being facetious…
sarcasm much..?
as for what I bolded, if you think that then you have not been on MFP long enough ...
I've been on MFP since mid 2011.
But I recognize at this point that as a community we aren't responsible for the failure and success of each individual member.
But that's irrelevant, I shant derail this thread. Teehee.0
This discussion has been closed.
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