Grams of sugar per day?

I ignore it and just pay attention to hitting getting enough fat and protein. Unless you have a medical condition, the main "issue" with sugar is the potential it has to either keep you from eating your nutritional needs or to cause you to exceed your calorie goals.

Honestly, there's no "recommended" value. Humans can survive and thrive with zero sugar in their diet. Or lots of sugar, although that can cause some health problems. So really, the question is what is the maximum amount of sugar you want to allow in your diet. Sugar isn't super great for your body, so it's up to you to decide how much of it you want to consume. Kind of like alcohol... you need to decide what your daily limit of vodka should be.

I personally try to stick below 20g of sugar, period. Whether it comes from fruit or a candy bar. That's just my preference.

psuLemon wrote: »

The sugar goals are supposed to be based on added sugar, not natural sugars. I don't even look at sugar, because calories effect weight loss, not sugar. But if have a medical condition, that focus might change.

Yup this.

I used to track my sugar.. I try to stay under 150g.. but we all have our days.

I also don't track sugar. I aim for my protien goal and don't worry about the rest.

As much as possible. I don't pay attention to my sugar consumption.

elphie754 wrote: »

toxikon wrote: »

Honestly, there's no "recommended" value. Humans can survive and thrive with zero sugar in their diet. Or lots of sugar, although that can cause some health problems. So really, the question is what is the maximum amount of sugar you want to allow in your diet. Sugar isn't super great for your body, so it's up to you to decide how much of it you want to consume. Kind of like alcohol... you need to decide what your daily limit of vodka should be.

I personally try to stick below 20g of sugar, period. Whether it comes from fruit or a candy bar. That's just my preference.

No. Sugar and alcohol are no where near the same playing field.

Sorry, I was trying to make a joke there.

I don't consume added sugars, but I put 1/2 cup berries and 1/2 banana in my breakfast smoothie. If I eat a grapefruit later in the day I get a sugar warning. I ignore it.

I mostly just focus on making sure most of my sugar is from nutrient dense sources, like veg and fruit. I think the idea that it should be as low as possible is a terrible one given how good those foods are for you and that there's no reason to think sugar from nutrient dense foods in the context of a good, balanced, calorie-appropriate diet is bad for you, period. IMO, a good day would be getting over 25 g from vegetables, especially.

I do tend to make sure I'm not getting it from anywhere that would be a surprise, that I'm getting enough fiber (not really an issue), protein, and healthy fats, and usually am around my 15% of overall calories or less, mostly from fruit, veg, and dairy, with some from various other foods depending on the day.

I never understand the idea that an apple is less satisfying if you eat some added sugar. I cut it out for a while, added it back in in moderation (sugar has never been my biggest weakness, admittedly), and I continued to find fruit quite sweet and delicious, as I always have. The reason I sometimes want chocolate or ice cream (not currently, as I'm not eating them during Lent) and not a clementine has nothing to do with the clementine not being sweet, it's that the chocolate or ice cream have other tastes besides sweetness, such as creaminess (the fat). Some of my favorite restaurant ice creams I've had aren't all that sweet at all, and I like chocolate often on the quite dark side.