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Post by twoboyzmom on Jun 1, 2017 16:23:45 GMT
I'm really going to try and cut down/out as much sugar as I can for the next week/ 2 weeks.
Questions i guess I have for anyone who's done it...what types of snacks did you have? Is fruit ok since its more natural sugar? I snack on things at work like dry cereal, usually chex...but have to check sugar in that. I'll munch on plain popcorn, carrots, cottage cheese, cheese and pretzels... I know people who have cut sugar out 1-2 weeks and lost a few lbs. Plus health benefits
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Post by katlady on Jun 1, 2017 16:29:59 GMT
Fruits - in moderation. It is still sugar.
I snack on nuts, sweet potatoes, a little cheese (I try to not eat too much dairy), chips, turkey, chicken, broccoli.
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Post by gar on Jun 1, 2017 16:43:40 GMT
As for fruit, it depends on your goal/purpose. I was trying to cut out added/processed sugar so I still had fruit. I snacked on low fat crisps (chips), just a few when needed, nuts (wide variety and not too many, they're heavy in calories but good for health), cheese, fruit...I found snacks hard to deal with sometimes. I don't want something savoury with my cuppa, I need a cookie
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Post by twoboyzmom on Jun 1, 2017 16:47:26 GMT
Well I know sugar contributes to belly fat some...and need to get rid of some. I also am changing other things, less fast and fried foods, more veggies...trying to walk more.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 1, 2017 16:51:01 GMT
I once experimented with cutting out sugar. I did it to see if it would have any impact on my bipolar disorder. At that point I was trying to avoid medication. Unfortunately I found it did not impact my mood at all. But what I found was that sugar is literally in everything. Anything you can think of from bread to crackers. Those pretzels you are eating most likely contain sugar. So my advice would be if you seriously want to cut out sugar you need to examine everything and cook from scratch. Processed foods are not your friend.
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Post by peano on Jun 1, 2017 17:09:06 GMT
I cut out sugar and all its numerous forms--there are a gazillion--and all artificial sweeteners for 5 years. I ate fruit in measured amounts with the exception of dried fruits, bananas, and tropical fruits like mango and papaya because of the poor fiber to fructose ratio.
You will have to look for a long time to find any commercially prepared products that don't have sugar in some form. The only ones I consumed are Newman's Own Oil & Vinegar salad dressing (and only the plain oil and vinegar, not balsamic or the one that has cheese) and Classico Tomato and Basil pasta sauce only, but you might want to check the label because I was hearing they started adding sugar like they do to their other varieties. Also Costco's Kirkland Organic chicken stock does not have sugar unlike every other stock and broth on the grocery shelf.
When I was eating like this, I did not have snacks--only three meals a day and a metabolic adjustment before bed.
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Post by gar on Jun 1, 2017 17:16:39 GMT
I don't know if you exercise much but you could try planking. Making the abdomen muscles firmer will help to give you a flatter stomach anyway!
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
Jun 25, 2014 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Jun 1, 2017 17:20:17 GMT
I cut out sugar for awhile. You pretty much have to cook everything for yourself. Things like salad dressing, bread, bacon, all have sugar. Anything labeled "sugar free" is 99% chance just substituted with artificial sweeteners which is also bad.
You also have to be really careful with things like "sweetened with fruit juice." Fruit juice is sugar, too, your body processes it pretty much exactly the same as white table sugar. Also, companies can be really sneaky and make you think it's just pears in juice, but in reality, it may be pears in concentrated juice, meaning half the normal dilution of water is missing, equaling twice the sugar.
It will take about 4-5 days before the cravings really get better. I allowed as much fruit as I wanted to get over the hump, then started cutting back. Dates were a good non-processed treat, but again, still really high in sugar. Costco and Trader Joes has some no-sugar-added dried fruits if you're looking for a snack.
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Post by twoboyzmom on Jun 1, 2017 17:24:18 GMT
I don't expect it to be easy..and I know that I won't be able to cut it all out...but if can stop with the obvious (candy, cookies, cakes, sweet tea..) it will help some...
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Post by twoboyzmom on Jun 1, 2017 17:25:02 GMT
I don't know if you exercise much but you could try planking. Making the abdomen muscles firmer will help to give you a flatter stomach anyway! I don't do enough...and need to start. Walking will help and I have done some planks but will try again!
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keithurbanlovinpea
Pearl Clutcher
Flowing with the go...
Posts: 4,272
Jun 29, 2014 3:29:30 GMT
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Jun 1, 2017 17:25:30 GMT
I went yeast free for two months for health reasons. It was super restrictive. Basically vegetables but not starchy ones, meat but no nitrates, and no dairy or processed foods. For snacks... Nuts, guacamole, hummus, baby carrots, celery, grape tomatoes.
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Post by gar on Jun 1, 2017 17:26:04 GMT
I don't expect it to be easy..and I know that I won't be able to cut it all out...but if can stop with the obvious (candy, cookies, cakes, sweet tea..) it will help some... Definitely it will! I did the same as you - cutting obvious sugars like cake, cookies, chocolate, in my tea and so on. Go for it, it can do you nothing but good
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Post by twoboyzmom on Jun 1, 2017 17:28:31 GMT
I don't expect it to be easy..and I know that I won't be able to cut it all out...but if can stop with the obvious (candy, cookies, cakes, sweet tea..) it will help some... Definitely it will! I did the same as you - cutting obvious sugars like cake, cookies, chocolate, in my tea and so on. Go for it, it can do you nothing but good Thanks. My issue is I lack motivation and admit I'm lazy. I am gone 10 hours a day and when I get home, cook for 2 teen boys and spend some time with DH all I want is sleep. It's just a matter of getting a new routine started...
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Jun 1, 2017 17:31:22 GMT
Beverages are where a lot of sugar hides. Drinking water and no diet stuff is easy sugar loss!
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 1, 2017 17:34:28 GMT
I don't expect it to be easy..and I know that I won't be able to cut it all out...but if can stop with the obvious (candy, cookies, cakes, sweet tea..) it will help some... I reread my post and I think it may have come across as discouraging. I did not mean it that way. Any reducing you can do is laudable. Total abstinence is doable but difficult.
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Post by twoboyzmom on Jun 1, 2017 17:36:20 GMT
Beverages are where a lot of sugar hides. Drinking water and no diet stuff is easy sugar loss! I agree...i have no problems drinking water daily, aside from my 2 cups of morning coffee. That's hard to cut the sweet on...but I'm trying. Use to do 2 tsp sugar and flavored creamer!
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Post by twoboyzmom on Jun 1, 2017 17:36:43 GMT
I don't expect it to be easy..and I know that I won't be able to cut it all out...but if can stop with the obvious (candy, cookies, cakes, sweet tea..) it will help some... I reread my post and I think it may have come across as discouraging. I did not mean it that way. Any reducing you can do is laudable. Total abstinence is doable but difficult. I didn't take it that way, but thanks!
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Post by gar on Jun 1, 2017 17:39:30 GMT
Definitely it will! I did the same as you - cutting obvious sugars like cake, cookies, chocolate, in my tea and so on. Go for it, it can do you nothing but good Thanks. My issue is I lack motivation and admit I'm lazy. I am gone 10 hours a day and when I get home, cook for 2 teen boys and spend some time with DH all I want is sleep. It's just a matter of getting a new routine started... If you're looking to drop a few pounds that'll happen quite quickly (the less sugar you have the better!) and that's great motivation And going to be early means less snack time
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Post by twoboyzmom on Jun 1, 2017 17:40:30 GMT
Thanks. My issue is I lack motivation and admit I'm lazy. I am gone 10 hours a day and when I get home, cook for 2 teen boys and spend some time with DH all I want is sleep. It's just a matter of getting a new routine started... If you're looking to drop a few pounds that'll happen quite quickly (the less sugar you have the better!) and that's great motivation And going to be early means less snack time I am wanting to drop about 10 lbs. I want to tone as well but that will come with walking, planks, etc...
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stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
Location: In the leaves and rain.
Jun 25, 2014 19:57:33 GMT
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Post by stittsygirl on Jun 1, 2017 18:18:07 GMT
I'm a primarily low-carb but sugar-in-moderation eater these days, but when I was cutting out all sweets altogether I found nibbling on whole cinnamon sticks, the kind you find in jars in the spice aisle, would help curb my cravings for sugar. Bear in mind I wouldn't eat the whole stick, just a little bit until it satisfied my craving. Here's a recently updated article on the health benefits of cinnamon, especially for those watching their sugars. I take a cinnamon supplement daily now, but might go back to keeping some fresh sticks of it around to have handy when I just want to nibble on a bit of something sweet.
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Post by elaine on Jun 1, 2017 18:24:22 GMT
FWIW, your body turns highly processed carbohydrates into sugar as part of digestion: starting with your saliva as you chew it.
Even if your Chex cereal doesn't have a lot of added sugar, it has a high glycemic index, meaning that your body converts it quickly to sugar and it has the same impact as eating a cookie on your blood sugar levels.
If you want to lose weight and truly cut out sugar, starchy highly processed flour-based foods should be cut way down too. So, cut down on bread, pasta, crackers, cereal, etc.
Eta: I have had no issues with limiting sweet foods, but cutting way back on starches/breads is incredibly hard for me. I did lose 32 pounds between September and January and have kept it off so far, but I do miss my bread. A lot.
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Post by cmpeter on Jun 1, 2017 18:38:41 GMT
I did no added sugars for the month of February. I'm also doing WW, so my sugars were already pretty low. I didn't find it impacted my weight loss at all. I don't do a ton of fruit (1 serving a day on average).
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Post by sawwhet on Jun 1, 2017 18:42:28 GMT
FWIW, your body turns highly processed carbohydrates into sugar as part of digestion: starting with your saliva as you chew it. Even if your Chex cereal doesn't have a lot of added sugar, it has a high glycemic index, meaning that your body converts it quickly to sugar and it has the same impact as eating a cookie on your blood sugar levels. If you want to lose weight and truly cut out sugar, starchy highly processed flour-based foods should be cut way down too. So, cut down on bread, pasta, crackers, cereal, etc. Eta: I have had no issues with limiting sweet foods, but cutting way back on starches/breads is incredibly hard for me. I did lose 32 pounds between September and January and have kept it off so far, but I do miss my bread. A lot. I agree with this. I'm in the midst of another Whole30 so no sugar, complex carbs (rice, cereals etc), dairy, grains, alcohol, legumes, MSG etc. While it sounds restrictive, I feel like a million bucks after a week. Once I drop the crappy carbs and sugar from my diet, I tend to deflate. My stomach gets flatter (it's never really been flat) and I feel much better. I really should do a round of Whole30 each season. I haven't had soda in years. I drink water, kombucha, mineral water, coffee and herbal tea only with no sugar added or milk. Since I'm doing a Whole30, I don't snack. I fill my plate with veggies, a protein and a healthy fat. A heaping plate of food. It sustains me until the next meal. All natural food, it makes me less puffy and I lose a few pounds.
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milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,437
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
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Post by milocat on Jun 1, 2017 18:42:50 GMT
It depends on how serious you are about cutting out sugar. If you just mean the obvious things like desserts, drinks, cereals, yogurt etc. Or are you going to read every label and cut out chicken broth (and things like that) like peano mentioned? Baby steps might be easier, cut out the desserts etc then move on to reading labels and cut out all the (not so) hidden sugars.
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
Jun 25, 2014 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Jun 1, 2017 22:31:57 GMT
If any of you are interested in learning more about sugar, there's an interesting documentary on Netflix called Fed Up that talks about the obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease epidemic caused by sugar. Really eye opening!
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Post by elaine on Jun 1, 2017 22:39:54 GMT
If any of you are interested in learning more about sugar, there's an interesting documentary on Netflix called Fed Up that talks about the obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease epidemic caused by sugar. Really eye opening! We also have a group of us here reading The Obesity Code, which deals with all these issues, on a thread started by melissa (who is a physician). A number of us are cutting back on starch, sugar, and trying Intermittent Fasting. I think our thread is up to 10 pages now.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jun 1, 2017 22:44:01 GMT
I'll third what Elaine and Sawwhet have said, it's not just sugar (which is hiding in so many foods) but the carbs too which also hide in everything. Back at the end of October, I set out to cut DOWN on carbs and sugar without completely cutting them out, because for me it wouldn't be realistic. I'd be okay for a while and then I'd eventually binge on junk which would be really bad. For me having access to a little every day in moderated doses is much better than totally depriving myself and then falling off the wagon entirely. At the time I was busting the seams on my pants. I always felt bloated and felt like I looked like I did when I was seven months pregnant, no lie. I started tracking my calories and steps with my phone using My Fitness Pal and consciously cut down on carbs and processed junk. Since then I've dropped 25 pounds without really trying. I haven't been doing any additional exercise and I don't feel at all deprived of the things I love and want to eat. For example, I have a little dark chocolate in some form just about every day and it really helps to scratch my itch for sweets. If I want to have a piece of bread or the occasional cupcake, I have it and just watch what else I'm having that day. The best part is that I've easily dropped a pants size and I almost never look or feel bloated anymore. I made it through the gauntlet of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, my birthday, Valentine's Day and Easter without gaining any back, and that's huge for me. I guess what I'm saying is that even just cutting down on what you're taking in should help some. It wasn't until I started to be consciously aware of what I was eating all day every day that I realized exactly how much extra junk I was consuming. No wonder I was packing on the pounds! Ideally I'd like to lose about another 15, and I think with summer here it will be easier to be a little more active with my kid home and more stuff going on. Good luck with your efforts! Every little bit really does help.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jun 1, 2017 23:57:39 GMT
But what I found was that sugar is literally in everything. Anything you can think of from bread to crackers. Those pretzels you are eating most likely contain sugar. So my advice would be if you seriously want to cut out sugar you need to examine everything and cook from scratch. Processed foods are not your friend. If you want to lose weight and truly cut out sugar, starchy highly processed flour-based foods should be cut way down too. So, cut down on bread, pasta, crackers, cereal, etc. We did Whole30 which required the complete elimination of both sugar and all grains/legumes (plus other stuff). We found the commitment to just thirty days made it easy to make the hard choices. We were willing to give it 100% for one month. And that commitment really paid off in much greater feelings of health, increased energy, and significant weight loss. In fact, we were so sold on the results and how much better we felt, that we have voluntarily maintained a large percentage of the program. We aren't 100% compliant at present, but enough that we are still reaping the benefits of that way of eating. Good luck with your efforts to reduce/eliminate sugar from your diet. I think once you get to the point where you can sustain it a while, you'll be amazed at the payoffs you'll get from it.
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Post by leannec on Jun 2, 2017 1:31:13 GMT
I'm not really a snacker but when I do I have salted nuts or pea pods with tzatziki dip ... neither have sugar
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cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
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Sept 5, 2015 18:24:10 GMT
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Post by cbscrapper on Jun 2, 2017 4:43:45 GMT
Fruits are great snacks, but avoid bananas and grapes - their sugar goes to your bloodstream too fast. Oranges are ok because they have a lot of fiber to offset the sugar. No fruit juice or dried fruits though.
It's tough at first to go through the sugar withdrawal, but you can do it! Other great snacks: nuts, carrots, cucumbers, sliced bell peppers (if you like them), berries, tuna, turkey jerky, any veggies.
You may be interested in the Fast Metabolism Diet - it's more of a mindset changes and eating healthier foods without going hungry. I lost over 25 lbs and have kept it off over a year (and have had the occasional sweets and pizza - after completing the weight loss).
Good luck!
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