My Fight Against Sugar

[PGS28]

I see that they have energy drinks also, I'm about to check out the prices and ingredients.  I'm not into soda anymore but I might like this energy drink as a pre workout motivator. Thanks!

I found through research that cinnamon lowers blood sugar so I'll try using more of that on foods.

You could always buy Zevia or Blue Sky soda as a treat.  They do not have sugar and do not have Aspartame.  They use stevia to sweeten.  They taste a little funky, but I love them.  And Blue Sky has NO calories!


http://www.blueskysoda.com/
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[carmen4]

ahhh It takes a strong person to fight sugar so kudos to you guys. I hope I can at least cut back to get ready for summer 

[Delphyne]

ahhh It takes a strong person to fight sugar so kudos to you guys. I hope I can at least cut back to get ready for summer 

I have Multiple Sclerosis, and for me it was a health issue.  Did I really want to be healthier and better?  Yes?  So I to make dietary changes.  The best change a person can do for themselves is to take an honest look at what we are eating.  Some people do benefit from vegetarian diets.  I am not one of them.  There is a scientific principle as to why the ketogenic diet works for epileptics, and part that is due to fats being neuroprotectants while sugars excite the brain.  (I also have epilepsy.  I cannot take traditional medication because of the severe reactions I have.  In some people with Multiple Sclerosis there is a condition where the person is chemically sensitive.  I am one of those people.  One of the drugs I am allergic to is a common one for MS people.)

After cutting out sugars and carbs, and going on a high fat diet I noticed that my pain had significantly decreased.  I I still do get them.  But they are better.  They are not half as bad as they were.  They are calmer.

I still get bad nerve pain, but it is not as bad either.  Not as long lasting.  Not as brutal.  The optic neuritis is less.  Everything is less. 

All because I changed my diet. 

 

[cowgirl2116]

When I have sugar cravings, I try to eat something that does not have real sugar in it.  Also, I have eaten sweet fruit to try to get rid of the sugar cravings.  Or, I occupy myself with something else, so that I will not think about sugar.   I have given my sweets, e.g. candy, to someone at work, so that I will not eat the sugar.  Cutting down on drinking cans of non-diet sodas helps, too.  Instead, I try to drink water in place of can sodas.  My weight dropped after drinking more water than sodas.

I am glad to know that you have kicked the sugar habit.  Your plan worked, no sugar or sugar substitues.  You have encouraged me to do what you have done.

[Timberlan127]

Good luck to you all. I gave up sugar for about a year a while back and it is the best I have ever felt. But I have slowly let it creep back into my diet. I am going to try some of your ideas to get it back under control. Thanks for the info.

[PGS28]

carmen4 thanks! and it does take a lot to resist sugar, especially when it comes in the form of so many delicious treats, but I look at them now like a disguised threat to my health. 

Your post on MS could really help someone! I thank you so much for posting. And I agree that the best change we can make is our diets.  I didn't realize that until I watched a documentary last year where a man had a number of ailments that he cured himself through changing his diet.

ahhh It takes a strong person to fight sugar so kudos to you guys. I hope I can at least cut back to get ready for summer 

I have Multiple Sclerosis, and for me it was a health issue.  Did I really want to be healthier and better?  Yes?  So I to make dietary changes.  The best change a person can do for themselves is to take an honest look at what we are eating.  Some people do benefit from vegetarian diets.  I am not one of them.  There is a scientific principle as to why the ketogenic diet works for epileptics, and part that is due to fats being neuroprotectants while sugars excite the brain.  (I also have epilepsy.  I cannot take traditional medication because of the severe reactions I have.  In some people with Multiple Sclerosis there is a condition where the person is chemically sensitive.  I am one of those people.  One of the drugs I am allergic to is a common one for MS people.)

After cutting out sugars and carbs, and going on a high fat diet I noticed that my pain had significantly decreased.  I I still do get them.  But they are better.  They are not half as bad as they were.  They are calmer.

I still get bad nerve pain, but it is not as bad either.  Not as long lasting.  Not as brutal.  The optic neuritis is less.  Everything is less. 

All because I changed my diet. 

 

[PGS28]

Timberlan127 I've learned through the info our fellow FC members have been so gracious to post that it's ok to have a little as long as it's a controlled amount, so don't beat yourself up over it, and congrats for not only recognizing the need to cut down on the sugar but also actually doing it for as long as you did!

I also have been eating foods that aren't as sweet.  Yesterday I had animal crackers. They actually tasted sweeter than I remember and I think it's because I've been staying away from sweeter foods. Someone suggested honey, which I will have to do sparingly because of the calories.  I found out yesterday that cinnamon lowers blood sugar. Water and exercise too, which a member also informed me of.

I've made it a habit of reading labels now and I pay attention to the sugar.  I researched yesterday (yes guys, I'm big on that lol) and found out that 4 grams of sugar= 1 teaspoon, so after my week is up I'm going to try to limit myself to around 16 grams of sugar per day.  Too high or low? 

Today is the 3rd day in a row I haven't woke up with a migraine.  I had a BAD attack a week ago and it had me down for 3 days and in the days following that a headache followed me to the point it was starting to feel normal to have them all the time.  So glad I connected my toothache to the headaches, I'm seeing a dentist soon, but I'll continue with my low sugar diet because as I stated before I had type 2 diabetes when I was pregnant.

When I have sugar cravings, I try to eat something that does not have real sugar in it.  Also, I have eaten sweet fruit to try to get rid of the sugar cravings.  Or, I occupy myself with something else, so that I will not think about sugar.   I have given my sweets, e.g. candy, to someone at work, so that I will not eat the sugar.  Cutting down on drinking cans of non-diet sodas helps, too.  Instead, I try to drink water in place of can sodas.  My weight dropped after drinking more water than sodas.

I am glad to know that you have kicked the sugar habit.  Your plan worked, no sugar or sugar substitues.  You have encouraged me to do what you have done.

[tammypete]

I try to watch my sugar intake due to a family history of diabetes!  Not to say that I don't crave and love sugar, because I do but I really try to stick with sugar free foods!

[sak4kat]

Way to go on your efforts to live healthier.  I always thought calorie counting was crazy and I myself always counted sugars.  Well, not really counted but made myself aware of them.  After my last child was born and she ceased nursing I started really paying attention to how my body reacts to sugar and carbs...particularly in bread.  But I never knew how much my body needed or not needed to continue fueling my body.  Bout 2 weeks ago I found myself watching a show on PBS late at night.  Don't quote me on this but Americans on average eat something around 42 T. of Sugar a day and we only need 10 T.  Problem is labels show sugars in g.   So this lady gave an equation and wow it was a real eye opener for me.  You take the dietary fiber...subtract the amount of sugars and divide that by 5.  That tells you how many Tablespoons are in what your eating.  So a yogurt say has 26 for dietary fiber and 2 sugar.  26-2=24.  24/5 = round up to 5 T. .  According to her we should only get another 5 T for the day.  What do you think of that?

[LenoraMinogue]

I don't think there's anything wrong with having a little sugar sometimes, as long as someone doesn't overdo it. Reducing sugar is never a bad idea though.

[Delphyne]

Timberlan127 I've learned through the info our fellow FC members have been so gracious to post that it's ok to have a little as long as it's a controlled amount, so don't beat yourself up over it, and congrats for not only recognizing the need to cut down on the sugar but also actually doing it for as long as you did!

I also have been eating foods that aren't as sweet.  Yesterday I had animal crackers. They actually tasted sweeter than I remember and I think it's because I've been staying away from sweeter foods. Someone suggested honey, which I will have to do sparingly because of the calories.  I found out yesterday that cinnamon lowers blood sugar. Water and exercise too, which a member also informed me of.

I've made it a habit of reading labels now and I pay attention to the sugar.  I researched yesterday (yes guys, I'm big on that lol) and found out that 4 grams of sugar= 1 teaspoon, so after my week is up I'm going to try to limit myself to around 16 grams of sugar per day.  Too high or low? 

Today is the 3rd day in a row I haven't woke up with a migraine.  I had a BAD attack a week ago and it had me down for 3 days and in the days following that a headache followed me to the point it was starting to feel normal to have them all the time.  So glad I connected my toothache to the headaches, I'm seeing a dentist soon, but I'll continue with my low sugar diet because as I stated before I had type 2 diabetes when I was pregnant.

When I have sugar cravings, I try to eat something that does not have real sugar in it.  Also, I have eaten sweet fruit to try to get rid of the sugar cravings.  Or, I occupy myself with something else, so that I will not think about sugar.   I have given my sweets, e.g. candy, to someone at work, so that I will not eat the sugar.  Cutting down on drinking cans of non-diet sodas helps, too.  Instead, I try to drink water in place of can sodas.  My weight dropped after drinking more water than sodas.

I am glad to know that you have kicked the sugar habit.  Your plan worked, no sugar or sugar substitues.  You have encouraged me to do what you have done.

Absolutely.  Having a little is perfectly okay.  I make sure I meet my fat requirements before I splurge, if I splurge.  Last night I had a blueberry muffin.   We also cook entirely from scratch so we know what is in our food and we can control what goes into everything. 

 

[dcrotteau]

Guilty as charged, Lol.  Yup sugar addict here too.  I think it runs in my family if that is possible.  And worse of all, since I'm past menopause it all goes straight to the belly.  Ugg!!

[PGS28]

tammypete that's smart! Prevention is much better than treatment, kuddos to you!

sak4kat I thought calorie counting was crazy too until it helped me lose weight. I learned the hard way you can work out all day but if you're putting more than what you burned back in your mouth then it'll take a long time to see results, which is discouraging.  I just learned to count sugars. Better late than never.  I'm lowering my sugar and increasing my protein. I think 10T is a very low amount and expectations like that is what makes controlling what we eat such a grueling task. 

I agree with LenoraMinogue that controlling sugar is the idea and it's ok to indulge sometimes.  I'll look more into that study sak, thanks for the info!

[PGS28]

Delphyne When I first started my weight loss journey I read the same epiphany you had; that you can control the calories when you cook at home vs. going out to eat and not knowing what all is in the foods.  Even when you look the food up online they sometimes don't take into account any adjustments you may have made to the food item. I saw yesterday that vitamin water has 22 grams of sugar in it! Now that I know what that means I know that everything that's projected to be good for you isn't- that's more sugar than some candy bars!

dcrotteau I think eating habits can run in the family, that's why I'm trying to get my kids into the habit of eating healthy now by showing them healthier alternatives and not forcing them to eat anything they don't want to.

[sak4kat]

No problem, If I come across the show again I'll be sure to jot the ladies name down and look it up in this forum for you guys. 

10T of sugar per day.  UGH!  I honestly don't know how to do it unless I had a dietician make my meal plan... a personal chef and my own personal fitness instructor.