Sugar issue

I seen it said on this message board several times before that if you don't have problems with sugar (diabetes) then sugar is okay. Many people also switch tracking sugars for tracking fiber. MFP also doesn't know the difference between natural sugars and added sugars. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in with a better response.

isthatpoisontoo wrote: »

Thank you all for the info! I'm not diabetic, sugar doesn't really affect me.

I guess I believe it because all the healthy eating advice I've been given since childhood says too much sugar is bad.

Too much anything is bad. That's what "too much" means. if you're meeting your goals, you're probably not eating too much sugar.

So, I've a hypothesis.

I think the reason past weight loss advice focused on "low this, low that" is because it was a simplified way to reduce kcal. A candy bar isn't bad for you, but it can easily pop you over maintenance. This plus that you don't get much else but calories in one gave us the "bad sugar" mantra (though when I was young fat was evil!)

I think we can put these ideas to rest in his age because we have tools like MFP which you can access anywhere to keep track of your calories.

I've found that I tend towards more nutritionally dense foods now that I'm counting. Sure that candy bar is good, but I don't have 250kcal to spare. I learned that fast when I tried to eat one for dinner!

When I'm in maintenance It'll be easier to work these things in, but I'm still gonna be hungry and miserable if my whole day is cake.

So count away, my guess is that you have defaulted to a balanced diet as it pertains to your body. Good luck!

Also, cheese. High in protein, comes in stick form, low in sugar.

I solved it by not tracking sugar in my diary...
Seriously though, when I DO look at it, I'm "over" my MFP sugar every day by at least 50%. But nearly all of it is from fruit because I seriously love fruit. I'm not going to sweat that. It's still about calories for me. 150lbs lost so it seems that going "over" on sugar every day isn't hurting me. Your body, your rules though, so if scaling it back makes you feel better, then give it a go.

crazyjerseygirl wrote: »

I think the reason past weight loss advice focused on "low this, low that" is because it was a simplified way to reduce kcal. A candy bar isn't bad for you, but it can easily pop you over maintenance. This plus that you don't get much else but calories in one gave us the "bad sugar" mantra (though when I was young fat was evil!)

I think we can put these ideas to rest in his age because we have tools like MFP which you can access anywhere to keep track of your calories.

I think this is right. It's also consistent with what the WHO says about it's sugar limit (which applies only to non-intrinsic sugars and NOT fruit, vegetables, and dairy).

I say eat fruit with impunity. It's good for you. Keep with your snacks as they keep you from getting hangry. Add fat and protein where you can fit it in, and by proportion, your daily sugar will go down. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Non-yogurt vegetarian proteins include beans, lentils, tofu, edamame (just another way of getting in your soybean).

mantium999 wrote: »

isthatpoisontoo wrote: »

Thank you all for the info! I'm not diabetic, sugar doesn't really affect me.

I guess I believe it because all the healthy eating advice I've been given since childhood says too much sugar is bad. It also says that fruit is good, though. I'll take your advice and not worry about it as long as I'm meeting the other requirements.

Thank you!

I like this, it's a sign of an open mind. The nice folks above me can give you all the guidance you need, if you continue to check your preconceived notions at the door. Good job!

agreed...


MFP forums was just turned upside down....

The only time you should worry about limiting your sugar intake is if your diet consists of mostly pre-packaged foods. Since most of them have a lot of corn syrup in them, you will easily blow past what would be a healthy sugar intake. I'M NOT SAYING CORN SYRUP IS EVIL. It's just that it's an easy way for companies to add flavor, so it gets put it a TON of things. Personally, I prefer corn syrup because my body hates hates HATES MSG, so since a lot of companies are going back to that as reaction to the corn syrup is evil people, there's a lot of foods I used to treat myself with that I can't anymore. ><

Really, if you're cooking most of your meals yourself and most of what you drink for hydration isn't soda or high-sugar drinks, you should be fine. It's ok to have that piece of cake, just don't eat 4 or 5 slices. It's ok to have that candy bar, just don't follow it with a large soda. Moderation is the key here, and while it's good to be aware of your intake of everything, don't let fear of specific foods make you cut something out.

lemurcat12 wrote: »

shell1005 wrote: »

I agree with your hypothesis. It still grates on me though. I don't need the real reason for something dumbed down for me, etc. I do get it though. Most doctors are very busy. Let's assume they understand all there is to know about weight loss (which many don't)...and they say "you want to lose weight, cut carbs" because to explain about the whole thing takes more time and if I cut carbs I will probably eat less and therefore lose weight is just simpler....I don't need you to trick me to lose weight. And if you are too busy too explain it to me, send me a referral to a dietitian and let them do the work for you.

I also think that is why programs like Weight Watchers work. It helps people find their way to eat more nutritionally sound food and more low calorie high volume food if they use the point system.

Yes. I understand why many doctors approach it like that -- many people are very bad at calorie counting and one easier way to do it is to say cut down on carbs or fat or whatever (which you are probably going to do if you cut calories anyway). I think this is also why many doctors seem to recommend 1200 (going by what's reported here) or to respond to "I'm not losing on 1200" with "cut calories more." They simply don't trust their patients to count or to understand nuances.

As someone who wants to understand everything and gets annoyed when given a dumbed down version--it feels patronizing and rude, especially since I don't actually think I'm dumber than my doctor, just less educated in certain areas--that would bother me. And happily for me my doctor treats me with what I consider respect and does not assume I won't get it. (She asks me sensible questions and discusses things.) But I do understand why a doctor frustrated with seeing someone try to lose and fail again and again would fall back on such things.

Oh, well, I digress.

Actually, I think a part of this is that most people want a clear, simple solution, preferably something fast. That's the way our society has evolved to, so when a doctor says to just eat right and watch your calories, some people can't believe that's all there is to it. It's good that your doctor is willing to discuss things with you and go deeper. I had to do some hunting before finding one that would talk with me instead of just the 'here, have this pill and you'll be fine' or the 'there's nothing wrong, it's in your head, but i'll give you something if it'll make you feel better' mentality.

shell1005 wrote: »

crazyjerseygirl wrote: »

So, I've a hypothesis.

I think the reason past weight loss advice focused on "low this, low that" is because it was a simplified way to reduce kcal. A candy bar isn't bad for you, but it can easily pop you over maintenance. This plus that you don't get much else but calories in one gave us the "bad sugar" mantra (though when I was young fat was evil!)

I think we can put these ideas to rest in his age because we have tools like MFP which you can access anywhere to keep track of your calories.

I've found that I tend towards more nutritionally dense foods now that I'm counting. Sure that candy bar is good, but I don't have 250kcal to spare. I learned that fast when I tried to eat one for dinner!

When I'm in maintenance It'll be easier to work these things in, but I'm still gonna be hungry and miserable if my whole day is cake.

So count away, my guess is that you have defaulted to a balanced diet as it pertains to your body. Good luck!

Also, cheese. High in protein, comes in stick form, low in sugar.

I agree with your hypothesis. It still grates on me though. I don't need the real reason for something dumbed down for me, etc. I do get it though. Most doctors are very busy. Let's assume they understand all there is to know about weight loss (which many don't)...and they say "you want to lose weight, cut carbs" because to explain about the whole thing takes more time and if I cut carbs I will probably eat less and therefore lose weight is just simpler....I don't need you to trick me to lose weight. And if you are too busy too explain it to me, send me a referral to a dietitian and let them do the work for you.

I also think that is why programs like Weight Watchers work. It helps people find their way to eat more nutritionally sound food and more low calorie high volume food if they use the point system.

Well, I don't think it's the Drs or ppl being lazy, though it could be part, I don't think it was dumbing down either. Kcal counting pre-Internet was near impossible if you didn't eat everything pre packaged. It was difficult. Tools like MFP make it much easier, but the tech is still new (and occasionally buggy!), and not everyone might have access. I think as more early adopters are seen succeeding, more ppl will realize this is the way to go.