Help! I miss my fruit and milk

mlang1955 · February 2012

I have gotten to where I am today by watching my sugar grams and my calories. The problem is that I miss my banana a day, sometimes 2 and I miss my milk. I also miss eating apples, oranges and raisins, etc; however, a medium apple has 14 g of sugar and milk has11g per 8 oz. I tried a lactose free dairy alternative which has only 5 g sugar per cup, however, did not like the taste. I am now using Almond milk on my oatmeal; however, it is just not like a nice glass of 1% milk. I have read other postings so I know a lot of people do not even track sugar, however, I am afraid if I return to eating lots of fruit, the weight will return. I know the manner in which I am eating is something I cannot maintain forever; I need help to find the right balance. I have opened up my diary for all to see. Day 1 was 17 Jan of this year.

My net calorie goal for the day is 1380, which should provide me a .5 pound decrease each week. I eat very few processed foods. When a co-worker saw my food diary on day 1, she suggested I reduce my sugar grams as I was over 90g of sugar on my first day. Usually I was eating 4 or more fruits a day, lots of vegetables, and on some days would drink anywhere from 16 - 32 oz of milk each day. Well, this small change plus watching my calories has amounted to a 7.6 pounds loss of weight in 3 weeks. Any slip-up and I could be right back to where I started.

Any suggestions out there? Thanks in advance!

Jo2926 · February 2012

Watching sugar intake is a good idea, but a little sugar in some healthy foods is not going to make you put weight back on if you stay within your calorie goal.

My suggestion would be to keep watching artificial added sugar, and add an occasional piece of fruit or glass of milk and see what happens. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

AirCircleI · February 2012

I eat a lot of fruit every day and am still losing. I just make sure to have it with some protein (normally nuts or a protein bar) so that it doesn't make me hungry quickly. It's important that you find something sustainable for you - agree with the previous poster of trying to re-introduce them into your diet in smaller amounts - you may find that so long as you maintain your calories, you will stay on track.

orchidsand · February 2012

I too am watching my sugar intake to see if it reduces my fasting blood sugar and A1C as they have been bordering on prediabetes. I also noticed that if I take in foods high in sugars, 2 hrs later I am ravenous and will eat anything that is not nailed down. For milk I have switched to Silk unsweetened soy milk. The other day I had some cow's milk and thought I would gag as it was so overwhelmingly sweet. It really shocked me. I find that Silk is quite tasty even by itself. Eating fresh fruit does not make feel like I feel when I eat foods with processed sugars. Ex: I can eat a fresh orange without issues, but cannot drink orange juice. I also find that when I use artificial sweeteners, it creates that 2 hr later ravenous feeling.......so I now leave those alone. My next experiment will be to try Agave nectar in my herbal tea to see if I get the 2 hr ravenous feeling. It is supposed to have a good glycemic index. I had my annual physical with fasting bloods drawn last week, so this week I will see if my FBS & A1C have improved. I have also found that by cutting out foods with processed or additional sugars I have lost weight.

Poobeeschmoo · February 2012

I try watching my sugar intake but there is sugar and there is sugar. If it is all natural sugar as in fruit or milk it wont make you pile the pounds back on especially if you consume it in moderation.
Try having those foods in the morning. They will give you energy and you have all day to burn them off.
Best of luck with your weight loss. You're doing great!!!

hottottie11 · February 2012

Then eat them. Milk and fruit won't kill you. Unless you have diabetes I would even pay attention to sugar.

kyylieeeeee · February 2012

I also have cut down drastically on the amount of fruit and milk I was consuming. This summer, I was eating bananas/peaches/berries/cherries for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, because it's so hard to resist fresh fruit in the summer! As soon as I cut back to eating fruit at only one meal per day (usually breakfast, and sometimes as a snack at work), and replaced these with more protein, I did start to notice a difference without compromising my love for eating fruit.
As for milk, I stopped drinking so much at night-- I try to limit my milk to the morning. Though I don't worry so much about the sugar in milk, because it is nicely balanced with a great protein count as well!

swilk627 · February 2012

I *personally* don't pay a lot of attention to the sugar in fruit. I know many here will disagree with that, but to each their own. I make a distinction between natural sugars and refined sugars. That being said - I would never cut out fruit! However, I eat them in moderation, and try to only eat them in the daylight hours - meaning none at dinner or after.

robinogue · February 2012

I think you need to add fruit & milk back into your diet. Sugar from fruits aren't bad and milk does a body good!

jamielise2 · February 2012

The nutritionist told me that sugars in fruit and milk do not count toward total carbs.

samandlucysmum · February 2012

Sugar from fruit is not the problem, it's sugar from cereals, and confectionary that is the one to watch, I noticed that 2 apples would take me over my sugar allowance which is ridiculous!! so now I don't count sugar on my food diary.

bugtrain · February 2012

Have you tried Hood Calorie Countdown Low Carb. milk.?....It only has 3g. net carbs.

glenbabe · February 2012

I am over with sugar every day because of fruit and milk but they are healthy options (I use skimmed milk ) and this is not in my belief the sugars you need to watch.... refined sugars however are evil demons that lurk around every corner:devil: :laugh: lol
you will still lose weight if you watch carbohydrates and fats and keep within your daily stats ....good luck and dont be so nervous about your healthy favourites tweak your diaries to accomadate them and you will still lose :drinker:

amdahwd · February 2012

I have read studies that suggest that women who do not have at least 2 servings of milk a day will not lose weight as fast. You need that calcium for your bones. I also do not count the sugar in fresh fruit. I love My Fitness Pal because it is working for me, but I have to point out that even Weight Watchers now allows you unlimited fruit in your daily allowances. If you miss fruit and milk in your diet, then you should add it back in moderation. The only way to lose weight and keep it off is to make it a lifestyle change and not just a diet, which you cannot do if you constantly deprive yourself of things you love.

mbmorse1011 · February 2012

I'm over on my sugars every day with fruiti and Milk There is no way you can have 5 fruits/veggies daily and not be. I make sure I review at the end of the day what my sugars are and if they are fruit and milk and a little of something else then I'm ok with it.

canegrovern · February 2012

I eat fruits all day and I am losing and maintaining I have 1 solid meal with brown rice veg,chicken or fish lean pork cubes at lunch but after that its all fruits, no juice, no soda, green tea no sugar, just hot water and organic yogurt and I lost over 35 lbs in less than a year. Just wanted you to know eating fruits will not make you gain but will make you lose because of the fiber content in fruits.

thatsnumberwang · February 2012

You probably didn't actually get where you are by cutting down on milk and natural sugar -- you got where you are by cutting down on calories, many of which happened to be coming from milk and natural sugar. Fruit and milk aren't usually the problem when it comes to weight gain. Try adding them back in and cutting out calories somewhere else. See how it goes for a few weeks, and if it's not working, go back to what you were doing. But don't deprive your body of lovely protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber if you don't have to!

LPS1986 · February 2012

I have gotten to where I am today by watching my sugar grams and my calories. The problem is that I miss my banana a day, sometimes 2 and I miss my milk. I also miss eating apples, oranges and raisins, etc; however, a medium apple has 14 g of sugar and milk has11g per 8 oz. I tried a lactose free dairy alternative which has only 5 g sugar per cup, however, did not like the taste. I am now using Almond milk on my oatmeal; however, it is just not like a nice glass of 1% milk. I have read other postings so I know a lot of people do not even track sugar, however, I am afraid if I return to eating lots of fruit, the weight will return. I know the manner in which I am eating is something I cannot maintain forever; I need help to find the right balance. I have opened up my diary for all to see. Day 1 was 17 Jan of this year.

My net calorie goal for the day is 1380, which should provide me a .5 pound decrease each week. I eat very few processed foods. When a co-worker saw my food diary on day 1, she suggested I reduce my sugar grams as I was over 90g of sugar on my first day. Usually I was eating 4 or more fruits a day, lots of vegetables, and on some days would drink anywhere from 16 - 32 oz of milk each day. Well, this small change plus watching my calories has amounted to a 7.6 pounds loss of weight in 3 weeks. Any slip-up and I could be right back to where I started.

Any suggestions out there? Thanks in advance!

Well, bananas are a high sugar fruit - half a banana is the recommended serving by the Mayo Clinic for Diabetics. Though, I guess I do not understand why you are opting out of having fruits. Those are great for you, if you choose the right kind. I love berries, apples, and citrus fruits. I am diabetic and manage to wake up every morning with blood sugar of 70-90 which is outstanding. You do not have to cut out sugars, or fruits, for that matter. A balanced diet is super important.

As for milk, you can try lactose-free. It tastes the same but without the lactose. Everything in moderation! If you want a banana, perhaps cut it in half and enjoy one half in the morning and another at lunch (or after a workout because that is super potassium with a good protein shake).

Trechechus · February 2012

Try differentiating between processed sugar and natural sugar. Fructose is good for you. Eat fruits.

havalinaaa · February 2012

Natural sugars aren't the enemy. If your macros (carbs, protein, and fat) are in good balance and you are staying within your calorie goal, the sugars in fruit and milk are not going to undo all your hard work. Unless there is a medical reason to lower sugar, like diabetes, you can have these things in moderation. Maybe stick to one 8oz glass of milk and 2-3 servings of fruit a day for a week or two and see how that affects your loss. If there is no affect, then you can increase the servings a little. I eat at least two servings of fruit and one of dairy a day, usually more. I've been steadily losing all along. Fruit especially is so high in so many micro-nutrients, it's a part of a healthy diet. And like you said, you need to learn how to eat the things you love in moderation or this diet will never be sustainable.

PANZERIA · February 2012

There is a difference between natural sugars and processed sugars. The processed ones are the ones you want to watch out for. However, it is good to avoid eating too much fruit per day. Usually if I've gone over in my sugar, but I've had a bit of fruit, yogurt, and maybe a little bit of cranberry juice, I don't stress about it.

Instead of eating a full banana AND a full apple, maybe try just eating half of each? Put the other half away for tomorrow or, with the banana, feed it to your children/hubby/dogs, etc. I always slip my dogs the other half of my banana. They thoroughly enjoy it and get some great potassium.

Almond milk is wonderful! I'd say that's a way better option than milk, imho. Much healthier and it isn't hard on your system. Most human body's don't process lactose properly.

kwest_4_fitness · February 2012

Depriving yourself of any one type of food may be a quick way to sabotage. Cravings are usually one of the things that can derail your fitness program. I have everything I want, just not every day and not in unlimited quantities. If your co-worker isn't a physician (etc.), thank her for her advice, but do what works for you. A banana and 8 ounces of 1% or skim milk in the morning with breakfast shouldn't make you gain as long as you are staying within your caloric goals.

hmcminton · February 2012

moderation! have a glass (8 oz.) of milk in the morning and then have berries, 1/2 banana, or an apple for either a snack or for dessert. natural sugar is still sugar, so just be smart about what other foods you are eating along with your fruit or milk. combine with a serving of protein and it is a healthy food choice. just don't drink 32 oz of milk a day ~ that is too much. 16 oz max... i am following South Beach diet guidelines and before joining MFP, i had already lost almost 70 pounds... my go-to snack is Chobani 0% fat, plain Greek Yogurt with 1/2 cup of blueberries and 1/2 cup of strawberries ~ delicious and keeps me satisfied for a few hours. Good luck adding your milk and fruit back in - just go slowly, assess how you are feeling along with tracking weight or inches lost and adjust as needed!

UsedToBeHusky · February 2012

First off, you did not get to where you are because you were watching sugar AND calories. You got there because you lowered your calorie intake. Of course, foods with low sugar are naturally low in calorie. But many fruits that are high in sugar are low in calorie. Natural sugars are relatively safe as long as you are not a diabetic. It is the refined sugars like the Honey Nut Cheerios that you had yesterday that are the culprit. Of course, I don't worry about either myself. I eat all the sugar I want. I have not and will never give up chocolate, and I have enjoyed it often in the course of my journey. I have lost close to 80 lbs. Sugar is not going to interfere in your weight loss if you keep your calories in check.

Sugar is an instant energy release. Your body requires it to begin any activity. If you are go from a sitting position, to a standing position, and then to walking, then your body needs sugar. As you continue to walk, your activity becomes aerobic, and the body reverts to fat for energy. Sugar is actually really important. But its natural sugars that the body uses the fastest. Refined sugars that don't get used are converted to fat and stored.

Natihilator · February 2012

I know the manner in which I am eating is something I cannot maintain forever; I need help to find the right balance.

Saying that is setting yourself up for a tough road ahead and one that turns a lifestyle change into a "diet" that you can easily abandon.

I watch my sugar too, but I eat fruit 2-3 times a day. And I actually took the sugar column out of my diary, I just watch my carbs column. I don't (or, try not to) consume added sugars - honey, sugar in my tea, sweets. I also drink Silk Unsweetend Almond milk as I have found that tastes the most similar to real milk than other brands. But almond milk can be an acquired taste, if you really want to cut out dairy then keep with it, and you might start enjoying it.

Also for fruit, maybe look at fruits that have a lower Glycemic Index number. Apples and strawberries are both lower on the GI scale, bananas are mid-high. Pick and choose, and experiment.

My advice would be to do some experimenting, try sticking to 2 fruits and one glass a day one week, 1 fruit and a 6 ounce glass of milk a day another week, etc. Don't get caught up on "slipping up", a lot of that 7.6 pound loss could be water weight as well since you seem to be at the beginning of your weight loss journey, so don't get hung up on the number.

floweringcurrant · February 2012

I eat fruit every single day. It is not something that I would be able to maintain a healthy eating style without. Fruit sugar is different than processed sugar, fruit sugar is good for you. I eat up to 3 or 4 fruits a day sometimes, and I eat a banana every morning. I'm still losing! I would take away your sugar tab on your food diary and just eat sugars that are healthy and not processed. You don't have to suffer through this!

sarahsmom1 · February 2012

Sugar from fruit is fine it is a natural sugar and the benefits from the fruit out way the sugar calories and drink your milk

JTick · February 2012

I eat a LOT of fruit. A typical day might include a large apple, a banana, several clementines, and quite a few berries. I still have lost 15 lbs since Jan 1. I love my fruit, and absolutely am not willing to cut it out. As long as your blood sugar is good, I say eat it!

KellyAnneH · February 2012

As long as you stay within your calorie allotment you will lose - it's about calories in, calories out. That said, the QUALITY of what you put in your mouth and how sustainable your diet is are what will make all the difference in how you feel and whether the weight STAYS off. Since you know you can't sustain a diet without fruit and milk, don't do it now. Read labels, record honestly, eat enough protein, healthy fats and fibre and stay within your calories.

I find MFP suggests a rather low protein goal, so I've bumped mine up. Same with fibre. Protein and fibre are what keep you from wanting to rip someone's arm off and eat it. Fruit has fibre - you WANT that fibre. Eat it with some protein and you're golden - and what's not to like about a bowl of cut up fruit mixed with yogurt?

Things to avoid: refined sugars, fruit juice (as much sugar as pop but no fibre to fill you up - what a waste!), pop, white flour anything and fake food. A blog I follow says it well,"If it comes in a box it probably isn't food." I still buy boxes of frozen chicken breasts, turkey meatballs, WW pasta and the occasional frozen lasagne, but other than that we mostly eat freshly prepared real food.

CharityPearce · February 2012

I'm going to agree with all the others who've said that sugar in milk and fruit are worth the benefits that they provide your body, as long as you aren't overdoing it, or have some health issue (such as diabetes). I try to really stay away from processed sugars, mostly sweets, as I do eat whole wheat breads, pastas and brown rice. I have had steady weight loss all along, and I try to have at least one glass of milk each morning, and I really don't limit my fruit. I don't overdo it though. Good luck. You have to do what you know will work for you in the long run, and don't take anyone else in here's word as gospel. We're all on the same journey you are, my friend.

neenaj33 · February 2012

Just eat them in moderation

Help! I miss my fruit and milk

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