Sugar = Poison

This is a very interesting discussion. I have not watched the video yet. But following all these posts, I just want to say that many people who get so distraught over the idea that sugars - processed, whole grain, refined, HFCS, fruit, dairy, the works - can be harmful to our bodies in excess must never have tried going without them. I see that opinion is really mixed on this subject with some camps saying your body absolutely needs sugars to function and others saying it will process fat for energy in the absence of sugars. Let me just put this out there: if you are intrigued at all just try reducing the sugars - all sugars, even fruit and dairy and "whole" sources by at least half for one week. See how you feel. It is this feeling that leads those of us who have given them up to KNOW that they are a big part of the problem.

Example: I read the Atkins book and other low carb views many times over the years so naturally when I decided to lose weight I did drop carbs. I tried dropping them to the Atkins "Induction" level which is 20g per day or less. Well, thanks to MFP and logging my foods I see that is about impossible (for me). On any given day from fruits and veggies I am consuming between 50 - 100g of sugar/carbohydrates.

The benefits I have gotten from this drop are out of this world and NOT what I expected. I expected weight loss and I got that - 14 lbs so far. What I didn't expect and got: more muscle definition, total disappearance of lifelong acne, level, stable, happy mood, increased energy, less joint pain, increased endurance in workouts (this took awhile as the first month I was fatigued), shinier hair, softer skin, less PMS and monthly issues and total disappearance of persistent candida/yeast issues. I have been on this way of eating for 3 months and these are the results I have seen. And I am not drastic - I usually eat one serving of fruit a day and often eat a TLC granola bar, not to mention I don't limit veggies at all.

My only reason for posting it is to say to all the people who think we can't live without sugars - we can, and many of us really thrive and start to realize our bodies were very sensitive to sugar. That sugars promoted overeating, spikes in insulin, moodiness, fatigue, and other health problems that are amazingly absent once you get rid of them. Also for those who think we will "crave" sugars - you need to know that those cravings disappear after a week or two and it is so liberating not to be driven by cravings anymore!

When people find something good they want to shout it from the rooftops and that's how I feel about reducing sugars. So I am jumping into this discussion to give that perspective and ask those who find the idea of less/lower sugars impossible to try it out sometime and just see if you feel better.

Thanks for reading and hope it a okay to jump in this way!

Donna

I've been struggling to lose a measly 10 lbs for months. I rarely eat over my caloric goal and most of my numbers look good. I do, however, allow myself sugary treats! i used to eat everything diet but recently learned that sugar substitutes don't get processed very well in the body so I went back to eating real sugar!

I talked to my doctor today and she strongly recommended I cut back (not cut out) the sugar! I guess I kind of knew I should do that--especially since diabetes runs in my family. Sugar, however, is my last vice!

I was trying to cut back evern before she told me this but I found out I am truly addicted to the stuff! When I started writing it all down, I realized I eat lots of it everyday. I almost never go without cookies, cake, or pie. If I don't have them in the house, I will find myself at Walgreens in the middle of the night dressed in my PJs. This is sad!

I don't know when I became so dependent on sugar! I don't know about everyone else but I'm conviced this addiction is the reason I can't lose the 10 lbs. The problem is, like any junky, I don't know if I can kick the habit!

I'll never stop eating fruit but I can go overboard with that just like the cookies and junk!

I'm at a loss for what to do. I can't go through sugar withdrawal. It would be inconvenient and unhealthy but I feel like a junky!

I am so embarrassed that I let something so simple get so out of hand.

So, I don't proclaim to know what is good for anyone other than me. For me, sugar works like a drug! It's intoxicating! I probably shouldn't consume as much as I do but I (honestly) can't imagine doing anything different. It's like it has a grip on me and I can't let go!

I admire Donna for "kicking the habit." I hope I'll find the strength and will to do the same! :embarassed:

Do I allow my kids sugar, pops and all that? You bet. Am I going to stop because someone said it's bad? NO. Why? I am mom, I do allow my kids these things in moderation, teaching them that exercise is a must in your daily life.

Whose fault is it if my kids get fat? Sugar or me? If I do not teach my children right amounts to eat, to stop eating when starting to feel full, to listen to their bodies and follow what it is saying then it is my fault.

I have seen fat kids on supposed all natural food diets. Why? Simply because they eat too much. I think our bodies need a certain amount of sugar, fats, and other stuff.

I have IBS so I have to watch my fat intake, at the same time if it gets too low, I know that if I eat 2 pieces of regular bacon it will help. Do I eat 4, 6, or 8 pieces? No, I eat the two that will aid me. Anymore than that and I am in extreme pain for days.

I have gastritis, one thing that affects it is granulated sugar. I avoid it, but HFCS is not a problem. I use Splenda instead of sugar. When I buy canned fruit I look for ones that are package in juices not syrup.

I know I gained weight from over eating, not from just sugar/fat things but anything. Did I really need that huge bowl of salad? No Did I really need a 8 oz steak and huge baked potato with sour cream and butter? No.

I think we, as a country, need to stop blaming things for making us obese and place it where it belongs, on the individual, on the parents allowing their 7, 8, 9 year old to order a Big Mac and large fry and huge pop. We are responsible for where we are! We are the ones putting the food into our bodies.

Dr. Lustig isn't trying to point the finger and call out parents for giving an occasional treat.

The problem is that it's extremely easy to eat a large portion of sugary junk and not realize you've done so. Especially for kids. Sure, parents can police portions at home, but I remember sneaking behind their back to go get my sugar high elsewhere. Despite being an extremely active child, I was still chubby. And believe me, I wasn't loading up on double portions at the dinner table. I was a sugar junkie. Now as an adult, I'm a recovering sugar junkie.

Think about it - eat just that 8 ounce steak - your body should say "hey, I'm satisfied, stop eating" You will be nice and full.

Eat a "serving" of Oreos - what is that - 3, 4 cookies (?) - Most bodies respond with "MORE! EAT MORE COOKIES! NOW!" Same with McD's fries, soda, etc. Anything that is highly processed, highly carby, or highly sugary may tell the body "I'm not full, keep on eating!"

And look at what's been done with so much of our food supply - it's been altered to taste sweeter or more pleasing. Even many "diet" foods have sugar added to them. We want to eat more of them. Our bodies don't do a very good job of saying "STOP EATING!" when we eat sugary foods or "good, natural" foods tainted by sugary flavorings, sauces or additives. This includes Big Macs, sugary soda, fast food, etc. Look at the additives and sugar content of it and it will shock you.

I think you are making a connection with what Lustig is saying - though you may not realize it.