Sugar intake

Good tip: Stop tracking sugar and instead track fiber.

MFP doesn't acknowledge whether the sugar is natural or added, but their goal for "sugar" is based off dietary recommendations for added sugars. My sugar goal is 60-something grams, but I'm oftentimes in the 90-110g range, because I eat a ton of fruits and vegetables. Instead of looking at how much sugar I am consuming, I find that keeping a closer eye on how much fiber I am consuming to be a better gauge of how "healthy" I am eating. Most foods that naturally have sugar in them tend to be high in fiber, while most foods that contain a ton of added sugars tend to be low in fiber.

Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »

There is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying a candy bar or Little Debbie every now and then if you're otherwise meeting your macronutrient needs and staying within your calorie goal.

MFP counts ALL sugar, and the goal is low for healthy individuals. If you have no health conditions that require you to track sugar, I'd suggest switching the sugar tracker for something like fiber. I don't even track my sugar and I'm losing just fine.

^^ All this. I switched mine out and track fiber instead. Sugar is a carb and I'm already tracking carbs so it didn't make sense to track it twice.

Focusing on fiber and protein might be a good start if you want to branch out from calories. What I have found is that if I eat a good diet overall that limits the room I have for lower nutrient things kind of naturally, so it's not like I'm missing them, since they are being crowded out by foods I like as well. I still tend to fit something sweet into my day (my favorite being ice cream after dinner), although if I end up not having room on a particular day I don't need it.

Your diary isn't open, so this isn't based on me thinking you are low--couldn't see--but just some nutrients that are easy to track and that often benefit people to increase if they aren't already hitting goal. I also like to try to get a good amount of veggies with all meals.

If you want to stay within the sugar goal, then eat less sugar. Go for lower sugar fruits like berries instead of apples or bananas.

If you want to eat the higher sugar fruits or more fruit, then stop caring about the sugar goal. I think some of the apps vary, but you can take sugar off the things you see on the web app.

jlbrown1985 wrote: »

I can't stay under my sugar goal and not just by a little. I go over a lot every day!! My diary is open and I know that if you look at it you'll see a candy bar and probably a little debbie here and there. On those days I know why I go over on my sugar. But on days where I try to plan ahead and eat things like fruits veggies and healthier snacks (not candy bars and little debbies) I still go over. I need some tips on how to keep that under control. I have a heck of a sweet tooth and I want to use fruit to satisfy it but there is so much sugar there too that it shoots me right over my goal. BLAH!!

Any advise, tips, or snack ideas would be appreciated.

Closed diary so no idea really. Is your sugar goal 45g or more ? If not re-run the Goal calculator.

Go to settings. Replace sugar with fiber. End of problem.