Sugar-free! Does this include all fruit?

[sierramv]

I have finally convinced my husband to do an elimination diet with the kids and this is what we want to take out dairy,gluten and sugar!

We have done dairy and gluten before so that is no big deal. What I am wondering about is the sugar. Does that mean no fruit or fruit sweeteners like dates/agave/stevia? It is mostly for behavioral issues but could be more.

All my kids are having trouble with something, so I am wondering if we remove sugar, should it just be refined sugar or ALL sugar?

Thanks!

[laohaire]

You decide. When I am off sugar (like, right now), I keep fruit (though I eschew honey and maple syrup). During the adjustment week, I let myself eat as much fruit as I want, though it's usually not too much anyway.

I would not drink juice though. That hits our bodies very hard. But a whole orange has the fiber to regulate how it enters your bloodstream. I'm ok with blending (vitamix) because it keeps the fiber.

I think fruit is a good part of the human diet, but once you get past the initial adjustment I'd stick with fruit in season (though I do still eat bananas which are never in season in MA...).

[2xy]

I think it should just be refined sugars.

All carbohydrates are treated by your body as sugar. If you're going to concern yourself with the sugar in fruit, then you'll have to concern yourself with the sugars in bread, pasta, rice, etc.

Your body needs sugars. That's what makes us GO! It just doesn't need them in copious amounts, which is where refined sugar comes in. You just don't see most people swallowing ten teaspoons of honey or molasses at one time (there are ten teaspoons of sugar in a can of soda....well, corn syrup, actually).

[kjbrown92]

As with any elimination diet, keep a food journal and note everything ingested (eaten, drank, supplements, etc.) and all symptoms (sleep, skin, pooping, behavior, etc.). You may find other culprits (and don't expect the same culprits for everyone).

[crunchy_mama]

I don't think refined or natural sugars are ever optimal BUT for the purpose of your elimination I would focus on eliminating all unnatural/processed sweetners- specifically corn- as they are linked to behavior issues and keep natural sweetners to a bare minimum. Making sure to watch intake that it isn't fed to them by themselves= ie no big sugary/carby snack on an empty belly.