Fruit + Sugar = I am way over my goal help!

LindsayLL30
LindsayLL30 Posts: 154 Member
edited November 16 in Food and Nutrition
I am having a really hard time meeting my goals, I find the only way I can really meet my calorie goal is by snacking on ALOT of fruit (I am a hungry person!!) :smile:

Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to over do it on my sugar but if I'm not reaching for fruit for snack, I turn to calorie or carb dense foods.
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Replies

  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    It doesn't matter. It's fine to be a bit over your sugar. I personally like keeping it low because if I'm above, I'm hungry...because carbs and fruit don't fill me up. But if you like snacking on fruit, don't be afraid of going over your sugar goal. In fact, you can swap it out and track something else instead.
  • Carlos_421
    Carlos_421 Posts: 5,132 Member
    The reason there is a recommended limit on sugar is because most people find that eating less of it results in them eating fewer calories overall (or conversely as in my case, focusing on staying under my calorie goal while meeting a minimum intake of protein results in a lower intake of sugar by default).

    If this is not you, don't worry about it. There's nothing about sugar that you actually have to limit unless you have a medical condition like diabetes. Under your calories but over on sugar = still losing weight.
  • annacole94
    annacole94 Posts: 994 Member
    Trying to meet *all* the goals MFP gives you is really tough. Figure out what you want to care about. Definitely stay in your calorie goal, and then pick 1-2 other things. I try to hit my 25 g of fibre; if I do that, I'm eating good foods and don't feel hungry. I don't care about the sugar goal. I do loosely try to meet my protein goal, but I'm not that worried if I don't do it all the time.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    How about mixing in some vegetables instead of fruit?
  • MikeD0326
    MikeD0326 Posts: 130 Member
    I am having a really hard time meeting my goals, I find the only way I can really meet my calorie goal is by snacking on ALOT of fruit (I am a hungry person!!) :smile:

    Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to over do it on my sugar but if I'm not reaching for fruit for snack, I turn to calorie or carb dense foods.

    Fruit is not the worst thing for you. It's more important to stay away from foods with refined or added sugar. That being said, fruit is fairly high in carbs so, depending on your situation, you may need to keep fruit intake in check. VeryKatie above suggested adding in some veggies, which is a great idea. Below is a link to an eating guide that has helped me a lot. In it they suggest a ratio of 6-8 servings of vegetables to 2-3 servings of fruits per day. There is a lot of science behind their approach. I hope you find it useful.

    https://www.lifetimefitness.com/content/dam/ltfweb/pdfs/weight-loss/Life-Time-Fitness-Nutrition-Manual.pdf
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    Correct me if I'm wrong, MFP's sugar goal is for "added" sugar.
  • LindsayLL30
    LindsayLL30 Posts: 154 Member
    Thanks Everyone :smiley:
  • annacole94
    annacole94 Posts: 994 Member
    zyxst wrote: »
    Correct me if I'm wrong, MFP's sugar goal is for "added" sugar.
    Nope. Just sugar. Like, it counts the lactose in milk.

    Which is not particularly important or useful to worry about.
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,002 Member
    I am having a really hard time meeting my goals, I find the only way I can really meet my calorie goal is by snacking on ALOT of fruit (I am a hungry person!!) :smile:

    Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to over do it on my sugar but if I'm not reaching for fruit for snack, I turn to calorie or carb dense foods.

    What are your goals?
  • cronus70
    cronus70 Posts: 191 Member
    I don't even bother tracking sugar...
  • Carlos_421
    Carlos_421 Posts: 5,132 Member
    zyxst wrote: »
    Correct me if I'm wrong, MFP's sugar goal is for "added" sugar.

    You are indeed wrong. MFP doesn't differentiate between sugars (coincidentally, neither does your body).
  • Hamsibian
    Hamsibian Posts: 1,388 Member
    If it helps, I eat low carb and only whole foods. I still go over my sugar goal everyday day. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    annacole94 wrote: »
    zyxst wrote: »
    Correct me if I'm wrong, MFP's sugar goal is for "added" sugar.
    Nope. Just sugar. Like, it counts the lactose in milk.

    Which is not particularly important or useful to worry about.
    Carlos_421 wrote: »
    zyxst wrote: »
    Correct me if I'm wrong, MFP's sugar goal is for "added" sugar.

    You are indeed wrong. MFP doesn't differentiate between sugars (coincidentally, neither does your body).

    Thank you. It's hard to remember since MFP separates carbs, sugar, and fibre. If only the FAQ said, not that anybody reads the FAQ.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    annacole94 wrote: »
    Trying to meet *all* the goals MFP gives you is really tough. Figure out what you want to care about. Definitely stay in your calorie goal, and then pick 1-2 other things. I try to hit my 25 g of fibre; if I do that, I'm eating good foods and don't feel hungry. I don't care about the sugar goal. I do loosely try to meet my protein goal, but I'm not that worried if I don't do it all the time.

    I agree with this. Figure out what are the most important to you and aim for those.

    For me: goal #1 is my total calories. goal #2 is to not go over my total carbs (T2Dm), then it is get enough protein. I do try to get enough fiber too but that and fat is at the bottom of the list.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    I find if I'm sticking to my calorie goal, meeting my protein goal that the rest pretty much takes care of itself. Rarely go over my sugar goal.

    If you are having trouble reaching your calorie goal then change the food you eat.
    Don't eat or drink super low fat things. Eat or drink higher fat dairy. Try nuts for a snack.
    Eat more protein foods. Have whole eggs.
    Eat more vegetables. Have a baked potato.
    Eat a serving of bread, rice or pasta.
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10142490/a-list-of-calorie-dense-foods/p1
  • Sunna_W
    Sunna_W Posts: 744 Member
    Carbs and sugar can affect some people’s blood glucose levels more than others. When I eat either simple sugar (e.g. a strawberry) or complex carbs (baked potato / pasta) my blood sugar moves up and then when it falls, I am hungrier than when I started. It became a vicious process. IMO not all calories are processed the same. If I eat 28 grams (just less than 1 oz.) of cheddar cheese (114 calories; 7 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of sugar), my body feels different than it does when I eat 150 grams (5.2 oz.) of banana (113 calories; 1 gram of protein and 16 grams of sugar). The calories are the same but, my body uses the calories very differently. I have found that by restricting carbs and sugar and emphasizing fiber, healthy fats and adequate protein (at least 20 grams per meal) my blood sugar stays pretty even and I am not overly ravenous. When I do have that slump, usually in the afternoon, I eat a TBSP of peanut butter and have some hot tea with a splash of cream and I am fine until dinner. Some ways to incorporate more fiber would be to use low carb / high fiber ground up seeds to your smoothies; include some slow cooked mushrooms with your salads; or add some unsweetened dried coconut to some full fat Greek yogurt. Wean yourself off the sugar one meal at a time.
  • LindsayLL30
    LindsayLL30 Posts: 154 Member
    J72FIT wrote: »
    I am having a really hard time meeting my goals, I find the only way I can really meet my calorie goal is by snacking on ALOT of fruit (I am a hungry person!!) :smile:

    Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to over do it on my sugar but if I'm not reaching for fruit for snack, I turn to calorie or carb dense foods.

    What are your goals?

    Not to be so chubby
  • LindsayLL30
    LindsayLL30 Posts: 154 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    Sunna_W wrote: »
    Carbs and sugar can affect some people’s blood glucose levels more than others.

    OP has not mentioned a problem with this.
    When I eat either simple sugar (e.g. a strawberry) or complex carbs (baked potato / pasta) my blood sugar moves up and then when it falls, I am hungrier than when I started. It became a vicious process.

    OP has not mentioned finding that snacking on fruit makes her hungrier. It might be worth seeing if the hunger issue is lessened with lower carbs, yeah, but if she's fine as is there's no reason to be concerned about fruit just because you are over MFP's sugar recommendation.

    On the other hand, my own experience is that snacking makes me hungrier than not snacking, regardless of macros, so one thing I might try is larger meals and give it a few days. OR, as someone else suggested, maybe vegetables instead of fruit if she's a volume eater. The same things don't satiate or satisfy everyone. I don't find fat particularly satiating and I know others are the same.
    IMO not all calories are processed the same. If I eat 28 grams (just less than 1 oz.) of cheddar cheese (114 calories; 7 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of sugar), my body feels different than it does when I eat 150 grams (5.2 oz.) of banana (113 calories; 1 gram of protein and 16 grams of sugar).

    I don't, particularly, unless I have been doing vigorous activity and then the banana makes me feel better. In any case, bananas make me feel good and would be more satiating for me than the banana, and the idea that a banana is something people should avoid (unless you do feel bad, which OP did not say) seems weird to me.
    The calories are the same but, my body uses the calories very differently.

    If you have a health problem that might be so -- specifically someone who is insulin resistant has problems using calories from carbs properly (which also includes putting on fat or muscle from those calories, although they may end up eating more to make up for it). I can't otherwise see a way that this would mean that someone without a health problem should avoid carbs, though -- and there are ways to include them in the diet healthfully even if you are IR, of course.
    I have found that by restricting carbs and sugar and emphasizing fiber, healthy fats and adequate protein (at least 20 grams per meal) my blood sugar stays pretty even and I am not overly ravenous. When I do have that slump, usually in the afternoon, I eat a TBSP of peanut butter and have some hot tea with a splash of cream and I am fine until dinner.

    I find that a balanced healthful diet with plenty of protein prevents a "slump" regardless of how many carbs I eat. Fruit would not be a problem. Again, the point is that if what OP is doing is working for her there is no reason she needs to change it.
    ]Some ways to incorporate more fiber would be to use low carb / high fiber ground up seeds to your smoothies; include some slow cooked mushrooms with your salads; or add some unsweetened dried coconut to some full fat Greek yogurt.

    Is OP low on fiber? If she's eating plenty of fruit and veg, probably not, and that's especially so if she eats legumes and whole grains too. Adding seeds (and calories) for extra fiber never makes sense to me, as I get plenty of fiber and think that in most healthy balanced diets people will. It might be harder if you are low carb, I suppose, although my carbs are often low-ish (under 100).
    Wean yourself off the sugar one meal at a time.

    Doesn't sound like her meals are that high in sugar, but again the question is if she needs to. If she's happy, she doesn't -- fruit is not bad for you.

    Thank you for the indepth reply!
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    J72FIT wrote: »
    I am having a really hard time meeting my goals, I find the only way I can really meet my calorie goal is by snacking on ALOT of fruit (I am a hungry person!!) :smile:

    Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to over do it on my sugar but if I'm not reaching for fruit for snack, I turn to calorie or carb dense foods.

    What are your goals?

    Not to be so chubby

    Good news is, you can still eat sugar (yes even added sugar) and carbs while losing weight.

    Sugar does not cause weight gain, excess calories do.
  • Tum22
    Tum22 Posts: 102 Member
    edited February 2017
    J72FIT wrote: »
    I am having a really hard time meeting my goals, I find the only way I can really meet my calorie goal is by snacking on ALOT of fruit (I am a hungry person!!) :smile:

    Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to over do it on my sugar but if I'm not reaching for fruit for snack, I turn to calorie or carb dense foods.

    What are your goals?

    Not to be so chubby

    Good news is, you can still eat sugar (yes even added sugar) and carbs while losing weight.

    Sugar does not cause weight gain, excess calories do.

    Yes but foods high in sugar spike insulin don't they? And raise ghrelin (the hunger hormone) levels? So wouldn't one be inclined to eat more often. (However despite finding this out I still haven't managed to give it up
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,002 Member
    Tum22 wrote: »
    J72FIT wrote: »
    I am having a really hard time meeting my goals, I find the only way I can really meet my calorie goal is by snacking on ALOT of fruit (I am a hungry person!!) :smile:

    Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to over do it on my sugar but if I'm not reaching for fruit for snack, I turn to calorie or carb dense foods.

    What are your goals?

    Not to be so chubby

    Good news is, you can still eat sugar (yes even added sugar) and carbs while losing weight.

    Sugar does not cause weight gain, excess calories do.

    Yes but foods high in sugar spike insulin don't they? And raise ghrelin (the hunger hormone) levels? So wouldn't one be inclined to eat more often. (However despite finding this out I still haven't managed to give it up

    Not necessarily in the context of a balanced meal...
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,002 Member
    J72FIT wrote: »
    I am having a really hard time meeting my goals, I find the only way I can really meet my calorie goal is by snacking on ALOT of fruit (I am a hungry person!!) :smile:

    Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to over do it on my sugar but if I'm not reaching for fruit for snack, I turn to calorie or carb dense foods.

    What are your goals?

    Not to be so chubby


    I meant your macro goals. Protein, fat, carbs and fiber...
  • crzycatlady1
    crzycatlady1 Posts: 1,930 Member
    J72FIT wrote: »
    I am having a really hard time meeting my goals, I find the only way I can really meet my calorie goal is by snacking on ALOT of fruit (I am a hungry person!!) :smile:

    Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to over do it on my sugar but if I'm not reaching for fruit for snack, I turn to calorie or carb dense foods.

    What are your goals?

    Not to be so chubby

    For weight loss the only thing that matters is that you're hitting the correct calorie deficit for your weight goals. If you can fit the fruit into your calorie target then you're good to go :)
  • Carlos_421
    Carlos_421 Posts: 5,132 Member
    Tum22 wrote: »
    J72FIT wrote: »
    I am having a really hard time meeting my goals, I find the only way I can really meet my calorie goal is by snacking on ALOT of fruit (I am a hungry person!!) :smile:

    Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to over do it on my sugar but if I'm not reaching for fruit for snack, I turn to calorie or carb dense foods.

    What are your goals?

    Not to be so chubby

    Good news is, you can still eat sugar (yes even added sugar) and carbs while losing weight.

    Sugar does not cause weight gain, excess calories do.

    Yes but foods high in sugar spike insulin don't they? And raise ghrelin (the hunger hormone) levels? So wouldn't one be inclined to eat more often. (However despite finding this out I still haven't managed to give it up

    Insulin spikes aren't harmful for non diabetics (bodybuilders spike insulin on purpose because it's a "muscle building hormone").

    Also, different foods affect satiety and hunger levels differently for everyone. Myself, I've never experienced an increase in hunger due to consuming high sugar foods. In fact, I typically feel full longer after a meal if I have some bread with it or have a small dessert afterward.
  • mumblemagic
    mumblemagic Posts: 1,090 Member
    I find hummous&veg, baked cheese niblets (mini cheddars), yoghurt, and biltong to be better snacks for managing my appetite. Might be worthwhile looking for some more substantial snacks and eating slightly less at proper meals.

    But don't stress about going overthe sugar goal.
  • cuadrado12
    cuadrado12 Posts: 43 Member
    I am having a really hard time meeting my goals, I find the only way I can really meet my calorie goal is by snacking on ALOT of fruit (I am a hungry person!!) :smile:

    Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to over do it on my sugar but if I'm not reaching for fruit for snack, I turn to calorie or carb dense foods.

    How much fruit are you eating and do you feel like you're still hungry afterwards? I wouldn't be concerned about going over the sugar recommendations in MFP if it's coming from fruit. However, if you are truly always hungry then there may be some adjustments you can make in your diet to help with this. There have been a few studies that show that fruit doesn't really make you feel as satisfied as other foods so that is why I was asking :)

  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I am having a really hard time meeting my goals, I find the only way I can really meet my calorie goal is by snacking on ALOT of fruit (I am a hungry person!!) :smile:

    Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to over do it on my sugar but if I'm not reaching for fruit for snack, I turn to calorie or carb dense foods.

    I keep my fruit to about 1-2 servings per day and put a premium on veg.

    If you're feeling hungry all of the time, you might need to switch up what you're eating. I eat a lot of complex carbohydrates like beans, lentils, oats, etc and they tend to keep me satiated. I have a couple of planned snacks in the afternoon...usually cottage cheese or Greek yogurt and usually one of my fruit servings.
  • TheCupcakeCounter
    TheCupcakeCounter Posts: 606 Member
    If you want to keep sugar as part of your tracking try berries over other fruits. They tend to be lower in sugar and higher in fiber due to ingesting the seeds. If I have fruit as a snack I usually try to add a protein as well - some raw almonds or cheese cubes or dip apple slices in peanut or other nut butter. The protein will keep you full for a longer time than some of the fruits.
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