Natural Sugar (fruit/milk) vs Added Sugars

I don't even track sugar, I swapped it out for iron on my profile instead. Are you diabetic? If not, I wouldn't worry about going over on sugar, especially considering it's from fruit and milk.

cityruss wrote: »

Unless you have a specific medical need, stop worrying about sugar and track something else.

This. I don't track sugar intake and never have. Hasn't affected my results in any way. I only pay attention to calorie intake.

ReaderGirl3 wrote: »

cityruss wrote: »

Unless you have a specific medical need, stop worrying about sugar and track something else.

This. I don't track sugar intake and never have. Hasn't affected my results in any way. I only pay attention to calorie intake.

Both of these. Being older, I track fiber instead.

I don't track sugar OR sodium intake. No issues. Unless there is a specific medical reason, as previously stated, don't worry about it.

Sugar can indeed be very bad for you, particularly if you are not actively burning it. If you are exercising regularly though, your body will NEED to replenish the glycogen stores. Your brain runs on glucose and carbs. And, you need more sodium than what MFP allows for, as well.

Manage your macros (protein, fats, carbs.) As one previous poster stated, track other things. I tend to track fiber more, as that is what helps us eliminate all the bad stuff, and also balance our carbs/sugars in our system in a more healthy manner.

I only pay attention to added sugar.

taviyiya wrote: »

Thanks everyone! This helps.

I honestly do not have a medical need at the moment. My blood pressure runs on the low side and my sugar is average, I am guessing (I rarely check). I do have a family history of diabetes. My parents have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic, but both my grandparents four of my aunt-uncles, and a few cousins had full blown diabetes.

I'm trying to do my best to prevent that from happening since I have a sweet tooth, so I wanted to track my sugar better. I know our body interprets natural fruit sugar/added sugar, fructose, the same way regardless of the source, but since natural sugars have vitamins, fiber and other minerals, I know they can somehow help offset.

I think I will try to match my sugar and fiber intake ratio (as someone suggested) and try to keep an eye on it. I don't feel comfortable ignoring it due to my family history.

As for the added sugars, I will make sure they don't go over 24g, the max daily intake stated by the American Heart Association.

Thanks again for the advice. I will try not to be so hard on myself about the sugar ratios.

Big family tree of type 2 also and I used to have higher glucose numbers myself. For me, losing the extra pounds (around 50 of them), was the key to getting my glucose numbers stabilized (80s). If your numbers are good I'd just focus on getting your weigh into the healthy range and then maybe talk to your doctor about a blood work schedule to make sure everything stays good (I go in every 6 months ).

Diabetes runs rampant in my family as well. I also try not to get too much sugar but I dont beat myself up too much if I go a little over.

from Diabetes.org

"
Myth: If you are overweight or obese, you will eventually develop type 2 diabetes.

Fact: Being overweight is a risk factor for developing this disease, but other risk factors such as family history, ethnicity and age also play a role. Unfortunately, too many people disregard the other risk factors for diabetes and think that weight is the only risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Most overweight people never develop type 2 diabetes, and many people with type 2 diabetes are at a normal weight or only moderately overweight.


Myth: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.

Fact: The answer is not so simple. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the onset of the disease; type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors.

Being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories from any source contributes to weight gain. Research has shown that drinking sugary drinks is linked to type 2 diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that people should avoid intake of sugar-sweetened beverages to help prevent diabetes. Sugar-sweetened beverages include beverages like:

regular soda
fruit punch
fruit drinks
energy drinks
sports drinks
sweet tea
other sugary drinks.
These will raise blood glucose and can provide several hundred calories in just one serving!

See for yourself:

Just one 12-ounce can of regular soda has about 150 calories and 40 grams of carbohydrate. This is the same amount of carbohydrate in 10 teaspoons of sugar!
One cup of fruit punch and other sugary fruit drinks have about 100 calories (or more) and 30 grams of carbohydrate.


- See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/myths/?loc=db-slabnav#sthash.VeFlhtwT.dpuf "

I watch my added sugar, but don't worry too much about sugar that is in fruit or milk. For me, I have found too much sugar is inflammatory, especially if there are no other nutrients along with it. Like drinking pop, or eating candy for example. But if there is protein, fat or fiber with it, the sugar doesn't bother me. I have also noticed since cutting added sugar that my teeth are doing much better, which I never expected.
Most of my sugar comes from fruit and milk, and for me it has been a big help in how I feel compared to when I drank pop and ate sweets. Personally I am really surprised at what a difference it makes for me.