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Mikaela K
Fitness Guru
Posts: 274
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 # Posted: 28 Oct 2007 00:32 - Edited by: QueenFool


I'm having no problem keeping my calories at 1500 (I could live on fruit if it was actually healthy to do so, and most fruit is fairly low-cal, and I eat oatmeal and sandwiches and soup a lot for meals, so that's not a big deal either).

My problem is sugar. I've heard that you shouldn't take in more than 40 grams, but I have a huge sweet tooth, and even fruit is FULL of sugar.

Are there any fruits that aren't super-sugary (like under 10 grams, please)? And is there a way to "train my taste buds" to enjoying things like lemons?
Matt A.
Fitness Guru
Posts: 254
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 # Posted: 28 Oct 2007 02:06


I'm not sure where you got your numbers, but that sugar intake doesn't seem to be right. There is sugar in everything, and if 40g a day was the max, I'd be fat and dead (I take in lots of carbs from my protein mix). And to tell you the truth, I'm not sure if you could ever train your tastebuds to adjust to liking lemon, the reason being is that naturally our bodies know that sweet foods are safe to eat and our ancestors adjusted to this knowledge thats why we cringe at anything lacking it.

Sugar is essential to having a healthy mental state as well, it gets turned into blood glucose and pumped from your blood everywhere else. I really wouldn't be too worried about sugar intake unless you're diabetic or stuff your face with candy bars.

- my 2 cents
Mikaela K
Fitness Guru
Posts: 274
Post History
 # Posted: 28 Oct 2007 02:18


I'm not diabetic, but a good portion of my family members are (all type 2, and awful eating habbits, like eating a whole cake, run in my family).

So I won't like die if I take in 50g (which I've realized is a very comfortable average for me)?

That's comforting.
Jeff West
Fitness Guru
Posts: 237
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 # Posted: 28 Oct 2007 03:43


Like Matt said you'll never be able to avoid sugar completely. Sometimes it helps to not focus on any one thing too much, and look at the big picture. If you like fruit, I say start by loading up on it if it'll get you off the empty calorie foods. You may be taking in the same amount of sugar, but at least you'll be getting nutrients as well. Run with that for as long as it takes to get rid of the cravings for unhealthy sweets, then, slowly begin to replace fruits with other nutritious foods that are lower in sugar.

Something else that worked for me was having one sweet thing early in the morning, I had a donut. Then, so long as I didn't allow myself to get hungry, I could make it the whole day without a sugar craving. This may be unique to me, but I thought I'd pass it along.
Cindy N
Fitness Guru
Posts: 733
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 # Posted: 28 Oct 2007 04:18


Oh Jeff, I'm the exact opposite. Give me something high sugar in the morning, and I crave it all day long! Doesn't matter if I eat frequently or what. It's like a switch in me gets flipped.
Matt A.
Fitness Guru
Posts: 254
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 # Posted: 28 Oct 2007 06:01


I just found this good site about the dangers of sugar substitutes. I knew about the additive, aspartame, a while back but I just didn't post here. Here are some of the known symptoms, but the highest attributed are headaches, nasea and cramps. I've also found that researchers in Italy claim that two rats developed cancer when on aspartame. I'm just saying this because I know lots of people (especially excercisers) are suseptible to sugar-free foods, most of which contain the dangerous additive aspartame.
Mikaela K
Fitness Guru
Posts: 274
Post History
 # Posted: 28 Oct 2007 17:26


I don't eat anything with aspartame in it. I think it tastes disgusting anyway, besides being unhealthy. I eat some foods with sucralose in it, but even that I try to avoid. I normally chew Zapp gum (sometimes Spry gum), which is made with Xylitol (good for the teeth and it's yummy, haha).
Jeff West
Fitness Guru
Posts: 237
Post History
 # Posted: 28 Oct 2007 17:59


Quoting: Cynthesis
Oh Jeff, I'm the exact opposite.


I'm glad you said something Cindy. When it comes to cravings I think we're all a bit different.

Cheers!
THE NEW ME
The Master
Posts: 2856
Post History
 # Posted: 28 Oct 2007 19:58


im like cindy if i have sugar i crave it all day long. i found the less sugar i have the less i want it. the sugar treats that i tend to have during the day are my protein bars ( 1 max per day)- i actually like them and try to get the organic ones that are made with all natural ingredients ( the first 5 ingredients are real foods). the calorie and fat content are a bit higher but it is from better fat and real food. thats usually my sugar splurge and they have so many different flavors to choose from and they are good.
Christina L
traineo Regular
Posts: 40
Post History
 # Posted: 29 Oct 2007 01:25


I was eating a lot of dried fruits which are loaded with sugar, and now I switched to more fresh fruits and celery as a snack, I've noticed my stomach getting flatter. I guess just keeping the sugar intake down to a minimum while eating your 4 -5 fruits and vegi's you'll be great! Don't forget to get some protein, fish is best, and fiber too. I'm hoping this will help me to loose about 10lbs in about 6 weeks, with lots of exercise of course! I biked 30 miles today!
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