Refined sugars

I like sugar. The more the better.

Is there something wrong with sugar that I am unaware of? As long as we're dieting and not being sedentary and not having some medical reason not to, you don't need to worry about sugar intake assuming nutrient sufficiency is obtained from your diet.

I too have the same problem. I eat sugar like it's a drug. =(

I used to go on huge binges with refined sugar! I know how it is!

What helps me the most is making sure that I'm eating often, and that I eat enough protein and some fats with every meal or snack. Both protein and fats help stabilize blood sugar levels. The most likely reason that you're craving refined sugar is because your blood sugar levels are low or have dropped suddenly from a previous spike. Try eating a little something every couple hours, and if you're eating a high-glycemic food like oranges make sure to combine it with a good source of protein or healthy fats (ie. coconut oil, yogurt, olive oil).

There are some herbs and vitamins that help stabilize blood sugar levels and therefore reduce cravings. Cinnamon is excellent and is actually often recommended for diabetics or people with hypoglycemia. I've heard great things about chromium as well.

I've been using a great sugar substitute called Erythritol, which I totally recommend. It's a sugar alcohol, but doesn't have the stomach-upsetting side effects like other sugar alcohols do. It also doesn't have an aftertaste (in my experience). You can mix it into things like plain yogurt and oatmeal and it's very satisfying. One of my favorite sugar-free sweet treats is mixing in unsweetened cocoa powder with plain greek yogurt, and adding a couple tablespoons of Erythritol - tastes like chocolate pudding to me

Good luck!

I cut it out completely for a few months now. Couldn't care less if I ever have it again.

Is there something wrong with sugar that I am unaware of?

Sugar was directly responsible for the holocaust.

I also heard it killed the Mayans, sunk Atlantis, and brought down the Soviet Union as well.

Sugar = Honey Badger

Sugar don't give a ****.

Fructose is actually really terrible for you. I looove sugar but it has a deleterious effect on just about everything. Read this: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17Sugar-t.html?pagewanted=all

The video linked in the first paragraph is eye-opening and terrifying.

http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/01/29/the-bitter-truth-about-fructose-alarmism/

http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/01/29/the-bitter-truth-about-fructose-alarmism/

Some good points in there. Fructose confuses people because it doesn't show up with a glycemic effect on account of having no glucose in it, though as the article says it is almost always accompanied by glucose in real life.

The unique way in which fructose is processed in the body merits further thought, does it detrimentally affect the liver ?

Fructose gets stored as glycogen in the liver (has a smaller storage capacity) versus glucose, which is stored as glycogen in the muscle (larger storage capacity). It is pretty hard to exceed liver glycogen stores by eating only fruit - you would need like half a dozen servings or so each day but might be more easily exceeded with refined/potent sources of fructose.

The glycemic index is a joke, ultimately, gastric emptying rate determines how fast carbohydrates convert to blood glucose