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NFT: Food Experts - Sugar Intake

section125 : 7/16/2018 7:30 am
We have had discussions on health and weight loss. Some informative discussions to say the least.

One item that generally comes up is cutting out sugar, especially white refined sugar.

Folks have stated that they have cut out sugar and have had big weight loss. I suspect that it is more than cutting out sugar to get the results claimed. However, I'm certain cutting out refined sugar is important.

So the question is just how much sugar are people eating? Example - I have two cups of coffee every morning. I use one level teaspoon per cup. I rarely drink soda - say two cans/glasses per month and most of the time sugar free. So my sugar intake is small. Of course there are "hidden" sugars in foods. Is that considered, in the health world, a small amount of sugar consumption?
the amount of hidden sugars  
UESBLUE : 7/16/2018 7:34 am : link
in the foods you eat reguarly will amaze you once you learn their "code names". Processed foods containing high fructose corn syrup are the # 1 culprit.
Start with getting rid of it in coffee  
UConn4523 : 7/16/2018 7:38 am : link
and anything else where you are willingly putting it in. Check your carb intake as well, tons of breads are sweetened.

It’s all moderation for me. I don’t mind consuming some sugar since I have a low fat, low sodium diet.
An alternative  
SCGiantsFan : 7/16/2018 7:54 am : link
I drink two cups of sugar, most every day. Kicked sugar to the curb 2 years ago.

Try Sweetleaf Stevie in stead
RE: An alternative  
AcidTest : 7/16/2018 7:57 am : link
In comment 14013936 SCGiantsFan said:
Quote:
I drink two cups of sugar, most every day. Kicked sugar to the curb 2 years ago.

Try Sweetleaf Stevie in stead


I think you meant coffee.

Reduce your sugar intake as much as possible. Stop drinking juice.

Link - ( New Window )
I do the same  
Rick5 : 7/16/2018 8:00 am : link
with coffee. If you are concerned about fasting glucose or A1C, fiber works like magic. I started taking Konsyl a while ago because my cholesterol was creeping up a bit. It dropped my cholesterol, but it also pushed my fasting glucose from the mid-90s to the mid-80s.
I stopped using sugar in my coffee  
johnnyb : 7/16/2018 8:12 am : link
Two years ago as well as sugar on my cereal (hot or cold). I rarely drink soda, maybe three or four cans a year. I do drink a lot of coffee so I figured I was cutting six or more teaspoons per day. I buy better coffe, less bitter and richer flavor, to compensate.
Hidden Sugars are the enemy.  
Diver_Down : 7/16/2018 8:14 am : link
You can moderate your sugar intake that you are aware of (cutting cup of coffee from 2 to 1), but the amount of sugar in other foods will surprise you. Take the time to read the labels.

I started 2 years ago to get in better shape. I've lost 60 lbs. slow and steady. One of the daily changes to my diet was to add a salad for a meal replacement. I buy Ken's Steak House dressings just because my first name is Ken. When I first made the dietary change, I used a few dressings just to change up the flavor. I was still eating a salad so I thought I was good. Then I started reading the labels. Now, I only use the Ken's Northern Italian Lite dressing.
Reading labels is a very good idea.  
Ira : 7/16/2018 8:25 am : link
I don't think the 2 tsps of sugar you have in your coffee is going to make a significant difference. I just looked up the # of carbs in a tsp of sugar and it's 4.2 grams. It might help to cut it out, but don't expect a great change. If you want to do more look at the carbs in grains.
If you eat salad..  
FatMan in Charlotte : 7/16/2018 8:26 am : link
regularly, make your own dressing.

If you like Ken 's Italian, mix olive oil, vinegar and greek seasoning together and it will taste very similar. You can even use variations of the vinegar. I'll use red wine sometimes, Apple sometimes and Rice vinegar sometimes.

If you like the Northern Italian Ken's add Romano or Parm to the standard Italian recipe.

I haven't bought store dressing outside of Ranch or Blue Cheese in years, and I only have those on hand for company or if we serve wings.
Lot of good that comes from cutting out sugars...  
Dan in the Springs : 7/16/2018 8:32 am : link
but I suspect in part the act of cutting out sugars (especially hidden ones) is a part of controlling your diet, which is critical for weight loss.
For salads,  
Rick5 : 7/16/2018 8:52 am : link
I switched over to extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar a few years ago. Maybe a couple of times per year I will indulge in thousand island.
watch the documentary "Fed Up"  
BigBlue2112 : 7/16/2018 9:11 am : link
eye opener for sure not only on the effects sugar has on the body but how the entire industry took over.
Sugar is a carbohydrate. Its effect is THE SAME as any other carb  
Marty in Albany : 7/16/2018 9:55 am : link
for better, or for worse. There are lots of foods that are high in carbohydrates. Many good diets lower your carb intake.

So if you cut out that tsp of sugar in your coffee you are eliminating 4.2 grams of carbs. That's a plus except if you substitute a glass of orange juice for your coffee since that has 26 grams of carbs. And that sliced banana in your cereal has 27 grams of carbs. And don't get me started about carbs in breakfast cereals.

Wanna be a food expert? Look up the carbs in the foods you eat. It's easy to do.
Not an expert by any means, but I've heard radicals say that it's  
Anakim : 7/16/2018 10:06 am : link
not about moderation; it's about cutting sugar out completely. Something about how cancer cells sustain themselves on glucose, fructose, sucrose...and that cutting those things out of your diet will cause cancer cells to starve.


Stevia is good. I used to take Splendas in my coffee, but then it came out that that's also bad for you.
Important point about carbs.  
Giant John : 7/16/2018 10:17 am : link
Not only eliminate most sugar (the human body needs some) but carbs too as they convert to sugar.
RE: Not an expert by any means, but I've heard radicals say that it's  
UConn4523 : 7/16/2018 10:17 am : link
In comment 14014029 Anakim said:
Quote:
not about moderation; it's about cutting sugar out completely. Something about how cancer cells sustain themselves on glucose, fructose, sucrose...and that cutting those things out of your diet will cause cancer cells to starve.


Stevia is good. I used to take Splendas in my coffee, but then it came out that that's also bad for you.


I’m guessing we will hear the same for Stevia as well.

IMO, cutting out sugar is great but “replacing” the sugar can be worse. How much weight can anyone possibly want to lose to risk what all the replacements can do to the body?

If you can’t cut out sugar completely just reduce it as much as you can without substitutes and increase time spent working out.
I got more serious about  
Bill in UT : 7/16/2018 1:46 pm : link
my low carb diet about 5 weeks ago. I had been drinking Gatorade while playing pickleball until I noticed the amount of sugar in it. Went back to cauliflower "mashed potatoes", which is pretty good, and will soon try cauliflower "rice" which a friend recommended. Just pulled my first keto rolls out of the oven, made with almond flour and psyllium. Tasted a small piece- they look like pumpernickle, taste a little like rye, but they've got a spongier texture than grain rolls. Still, it's not bad and would probably be better with food.
If you're already adding sugar to your diet in coffee  
AcesUp : 7/16/2018 2:25 pm : link
Chances are you are already eating tons of "hidden sugars" as has been discussed. Shop the perimeter of the super market and you'll be healthy. I wouldn't get hung up on fruits, unless you're competing to be a fitness model, naturally occurring sugars won't kill you if you have already cut out the refined garbage.
RE: I got more serious about  
giants#1 : 7/16/2018 2:53 pm : link
In comment 14014221 Bill in UT said:
Quote:
my low carb diet about 5 weeks ago. I had been drinking Gatorade while playing pickleball until I noticed the amount of sugar in it. Went back to cauliflower "mashed potatoes", which is pretty good, and will soon try cauliflower "rice" which a friend recommended. Just pulled my first keto rolls out of the oven, made with almond flour and psyllium. Tasted a small piece- they look like pumpernickle, taste a little like rye, but they've got a spongier texture than grain rolls. Still, it's not bad and would probably be better with food.


Drink pedialyte instead. Far fewer sugar (I believe less than half) and more electrolytes.

Cauliflower rice is excellent.
RE: RE: I got more serious about  
BigBlue4You09 : 7/16/2018 2:56 pm : link
In comment 14014263 giants#1 said:
Quote:
In comment 14014221 Bill in UT said:


Quote:


my low carb diet about 5 weeks ago. I had been drinking Gatorade while playing pickleball until I noticed the amount of sugar in it. Went back to cauliflower "mashed potatoes", which is pretty good, and will soon try cauliflower "rice" which a friend recommended. Just pulled my first keto rolls out of the oven, made with almond flour and psyllium. Tasted a small piece- they look like pumpernickle, taste a little like rye, but they've got a spongier texture than grain rolls. Still, it's not bad and would probably be better with food.



Drink pedialyte instead. Far fewer sugar (I believe less than half) and more electrolytes.

Cauliflower rice is excellent.


Better yet get a powdered electrolyte supplement like this (goes a long way in helping avoid the low carb "flu").
New Ultima Hydrating Electrolyte Powder, Orange, 90 Servings - ( New Window )
As far as I know, fruit is all good.  
barens : 7/16/2018 3:18 pm : link
Marty mentioned bananas, but there are no added sugars, and much easier and healthier for your body to process. If you are going to go overboard, just make sure you get some exercise. Otherwise, I wouldn’t worry about having a sliced banana with breakfast. Just triple check your cereal or yogurt...

Weight loss has almost nothing todo with Sugar  
DennyInDenville : 7/16/2018 3:50 pm : link
And just about everything to do with TOTAL CALORIES

CALORIE are all that counts.

If you wanna get cute, go 30-40% protein, fill the rest out in carbs and Fat.

Sugar is awful stuff, but if your goal is weight loss then eliminating sugar won't be nearly enough on its own.

At the end of the day it's your metabolic rate and total calories consumed daily and weekly.

That's all she wrote
Also yes, artificial sweetener is worse then real sugar imo  
DennyInDenville : 7/16/2018 3:54 pm : link
Real sugar is bad, but it's straight the fuck up.

Sucralose, Asphartame and other? Nasty nasty stuff that fucks all of us differently.

Sugar alcohols are safe in moderation imo

And stevia? Imo it's safest, but I try to only consume if if it's in a protein bar or powder
That said to answer your question. I consume between 105-150 grams of  
DennyInDenville : 7/16/2018 3:58 pm : link
Sugar per day total in all my drinks/food

I'd like to get that total below 100 but I still drink a decent amount of lightly sweetened tea (about 40-60 grams a day here)
RE: RE: I got more serious about  
Bill in UT : 7/16/2018 3:59 pm : link
In comment 14014263 giants#1 said:
Quote:
In comment 14014221 Bill in UT said:


Quote:


my low carb diet about 5 weeks ago. I had been drinking Gatorade while playing pickleball until I noticed the amount of sugar in it. Went back to cauliflower "mashed potatoes", which is pretty good, and will soon try cauliflower "rice" which a friend recommended. Just pulled my first keto rolls out of the oven, made with almond flour and psyllium. Tasted a small piece- they look like pumpernickle, taste a little like rye, but they've got a spongier texture than grain rolls. Still, it's not bad and would probably be better with food.



Drink pedialyte instead. Far fewer sugar (I believe less than half) and more electrolytes.

Cauliflower rice is excellent.


thanks, I'll take a look at it
RE: RE: RE: I got more serious about  
BigBlue4You09 : 7/16/2018 4:04 pm : link
In comment 14014323 Bill in UT said:
Quote:
In comment 14014263 giants#1 said:


Quote:


In comment 14014221 Bill in UT said:


Quote:


my low carb diet about 5 weeks ago. I had been drinking Gatorade while playing pickleball until I noticed the amount of sugar in it. Went back to cauliflower "mashed potatoes", which is pretty good, and will soon try cauliflower "rice" which a friend recommended. Just pulled my first keto rolls out of the oven, made with almond flour and psyllium. Tasted a small piece- they look like pumpernickle, taste a little like rye, but they've got a spongier texture than grain rolls. Still, it's not bad and would probably be better with food.



Drink pedialyte instead. Far fewer sugar (I believe less than half) and more electrolytes.

Cauliflower rice is excellent.



thanks, I'll take a look at it


Trader Joe's makes some great options (fresh, frozen and stir fry)
RE: That said to answer your question. I consume between 105-150 grams of  
Bill in UT : 7/16/2018 4:11 pm : link
In comment 14014322 DennyInDenville said:
Quote:
Sugar per day total in all my drinks/food

I'd like to get that total below 100 but I still drink a decent amount of lightly sweetened tea (about 40-60 grams a day here)


Wow, a low carb diet would generally be under 100 gms/day total carbs, so that's a lot from just sugar. Even though I haven't seen real proof of harmful effects, there is so much stuff out there about artificial sweeteners/diet drinks actually contributing to obesity, I'm doing my best to shy away from them all.
As far as weight loss, 3500 calories add up to a pound of bodyweight. It's not totally that simplistic, but add fewer calories taken in to calories burned through extra exercise, and that's how much weight you should be losing.
RE: RE: RE: RE: I got more serious about  
Bill in UT : 7/16/2018 4:13 pm : link
In comment 14014327 BigBlue4You09 said:
Quote:
In comment 14014323 Bill in UT said:


Quote:


In comment 14014263 giants#1 said:


Quote:


In comment 14014221 Bill in UT said:


Quote:


my low carb diet about 5 weeks ago. I had been drinking Gatorade while playing pickleball until I noticed the amount of sugar in it. Went back to cauliflower "mashed potatoes", which is pretty good, and will soon try cauliflower "rice" which a friend recommended. Just pulled my first keto rolls out of the oven, made with almond flour and psyllium. Tasted a small piece- they look like pumpernickle, taste a little like rye, but they've got a spongier texture than grain rolls. Still, it's not bad and would probably be better with food.



Drink pedialyte instead. Far fewer sugar (I believe less than half) and more electrolytes.

Cauliflower rice is excellent.



thanks, I'll take a look at it



Trader Joe's makes some great options (fresh, frozen and stir fry)


Thanks, yeah my friend had a bag of frozen Trader Joe's. I'm a make at home guy, so I'm gonna go that route first.
RE: RE: That said to answer your question. I consume between 105-150 grams of  
BigBlue4You09 : 7/16/2018 4:13 pm : link
In comment 14014329 Bill in UT said:
Quote:
In comment 14014322 DennyInDenville said:


Quote:


Sugar per day total in all my drinks/food

I'd like to get that total below 100 but I still drink a decent amount of lightly sweetened tea (about 40-60 grams a day here)



Wow, a low carb diet would generally be under 100 gms/day total carbs, so that's a lot from just sugar. Even though I haven't seen real proof of harmful effects, there is so much stuff out there about artificial sweeteners/diet drinks actually contributing to obesity, I'm doing my best to shy away from them all.
As far as weight loss, 3500 calories add up to a pound of bodyweight. It's not totally that simplistic, but add fewer calories taken in to calories burned through extra exercise, and that's how much weight you should be losing.


If you're talking Keto that's still even way to much. Ideally you want to be under 25 net carbs a day, MAX 50.
RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: I got more serious about  
BigBlue4You09 : 7/16/2018 4:16 pm : link
In comment 14014330 Bill in UT said:
Quote:
In comment 14014327 BigBlue4You09 said:


Quote:


In comment 14014323 Bill in UT said:


Quote:


In comment 14014263 giants#1 said:


Quote:


In comment 14014221 Bill in UT said:


Quote:


my low carb diet about 5 weeks ago. I had been drinking Gatorade while playing pickleball until I noticed the amount of sugar in it. Went back to cauliflower "mashed potatoes", which is pretty good, and will soon try cauliflower "rice" which a friend recommended. Just pulled my first keto rolls out of the oven, made with almond flour and psyllium. Tasted a small piece- they look like pumpernickle, taste a little like rye, but they've got a spongier texture than grain rolls. Still, it's not bad and would probably be better with food.



Drink pedialyte instead. Far fewer sugar (I believe less than half) and more electrolytes.

Cauliflower rice is excellent.



thanks, I'll take a look at it



Trader Joe's makes some great options (fresh, frozen and stir fry)



Thanks, yeah my friend had a bag of frozen Trader Joe's. I'm a make at home guy, so I'm gonna go that route first.


In that case I suggest getting a mandoline/spiralizer. I make fresh zucchini noodles and it's delicious.
RE: RE: RE: That said to answer your question. I consume between 105-150 grams of  
Bill in UT : 7/16/2018 4:29 pm : link
In comment 14014331 BigBlue4You09 said:
Quote:
In comment 14014329 Bill in UT said:


Quote:


In comment 14014322 DennyInDenville said:


Quote:


Sugar per day total in all my drinks/food

I'd like to get that total below 100 but I still drink a decent amount of lightly sweetened tea (about 40-60 grams a day here)



Wow, a low carb diet would generally be under 100 gms/day total carbs, so that's a lot from just sugar. Even though I haven't seen real proof of harmful effects, there is so much stuff out there about artificial sweeteners/diet drinks actually contributing to obesity, I'm doing my best to shy away from them all.
As far as weight loss, 3500 calories add up to a pound of bodyweight. It's not totally that simplistic, but add fewer calories taken in to calories burned through extra exercise, and that's how much weight you should be losing.



If you're talking Keto that's still even way to much. Ideally you want to be under 25 net carbs a day, MAX 50.


yeah, that's true. I started on Atkins, and they start at 20 gms/day, but in maintenance they let you drift up until the point where you start gaining weight. And Chris Kresser, who some people here follow, is ok with 15-30% carbs, 100-200 gms, on a 2600 calorie diet, if you're not trying to lose weight.
RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: I got more serious about  
Bill in UT : 7/16/2018 4:34 pm : link
In comment 14014333 BigBlue4You09 said:
Quote:
BigBlue4You09 said:



In that case I suggest getting a mandoline/spiralizer. I make fresh zucchini noodles and it's delicious.


I've made zoodles, and neither they nor spaghetti squash has been a good substitute for pasta for me, especially since I'd started making my own pasta.
Everywhere you can get sugar out, do it.  
Mr. Bungle : 7/16/2018 4:52 pm : link
Sugar sucks. It's good for nothing.
Thanks, yes I'm well aware of  
section125 : 7/16/2018 4:57 pm : link
the infamous high fructose corn syrup and it's friends. Awful stuff, but we are addicted to having it in our food/condiments.

Love Cauliflower mashed potatoes.

Bananas and Pineapples are very high in sugar and are supposed to be avoided in low carb diets (as are white starches).

Thanks for the good advice.
cauliflower fried rice  
giants#1 : 7/16/2018 4:57 pm : link
Here's the recipe I use (even my 5 year old eats it).
Link - ( New Window )
^^though it has 20 g of carbs  
giants#1 : 7/16/2018 4:58 pm : link
so for those trying to minimize carbs it may not be ideal.
For those on low carb diets, how do you get your daily fiber?  
DennyInDenville : 7/16/2018 8:00 pm : link
Just something I find hard when I cut carbs for a day here and there

I consume between 200-300 grams of carbs a day and been losing 1.5 pounds a week or more for two months on intermittent fasting, 2300 calories and some workouts (2-4 days a week) on 30% protein
RE: For those on low carb diets, how do you get your daily fiber?  
BigBlue4You09 : 7/16/2018 8:36 pm : link
In comment 14014488 DennyInDenville said:
Quote:
Just something I find hard when I cut carbs for a day here and there

I consume between 200-300 grams of carbs a day and been losing 1.5 pounds a week or more for two months on intermittent fasting, 2300 calories and some workouts (2-4 days a week) on 30% protein


Great question. I just started taking Innulin FOS powder three times a day (a very healthy prebiotic with 0.2 net carbs and 2.7 G fiber per serving). Also get some from the very limited amounts of fruits. Lots of greens.

And I recently just discovered Mission Carb Balance gorillas. The whole wheat ones are only 6 G net carbs and over 100% of your daily fiber!
RE: RE: For those on low carb diets, how do you get your daily fiber?  
PEEJ : 7/16/2018 8:43 pm : link
In comment 14014515 BigBlue4You09 said:
Quote:
In comment 14014488 DennyInDenville said:


Quote:


Just something I find hard when I cut carbs for a day here and there

I consume between 200-300 grams of carbs a day and been losing 1.5 pounds a week or more for two months on intermittent fasting, 2300 calories and some workouts (2-4 days a week) on 30% protein



Great question. I just started taking Innulin FOS powder three times a day (a very healthy prebiotic with 0.2 net carbs and 2.7 G fiber per serving). Also get some from the very limited amounts of fruits. Lots of greens.

And I recently just discovered Mission Carb Balance --gorillas. The whole wheat ones are only 6 G net carbs and over 100% of your daily fiber!


I'm sure you meant tortillas. I use them as well
Gorillas would definitely  
bigbluehoya : 7/16/2018 8:57 pm : link
Have more protein.
RE: Gorillas would definitely  
BigBlue4You09 : 7/16/2018 9:04 pm : link
In comment 14014529 bigbluehoya said:
Quote:
Have more protein.


Lol yes tortillas.
Also for fiber (and omegas)  
BigBlue4You09 : 7/16/2018 9:21 pm : link
Flax, chia and hemp seeds.
Thank you  
DennyInDenville : 7/16/2018 9:31 pm : link
I definitely need to cut my carbs a bit and up my protein more for more optimal re-composition while I cut

I don't plan on doing keto (already feel some of those benefits from intermittent fasting 18/6 usually or 17/7

But if I can get my macros to 40/30/30 40 being protein 4 days a week I would be thrilled , just need to up my grilled chicken game. I definitely notice an edge in fat burn and energy when I hit mini keto in my fasts.

Furthermore, I do all my cardio while fasted and usually consume some milk and protein to break the fast within an hour after the cardio
RE: For those on low carb diets, how do you get your daily fiber?  
Bill in UT : 7/16/2018 9:45 pm : link
In comment 14014488 DennyInDenville said:
Quote:
Just something I find hard when I cut carbs for a day here and there



I mix 3 tsp Metamucil into the water I use to take my pills/supplements. Also a few soluble fiber gummies from Costco. That'll give me about 18 gms fiber
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