Can I give up processed sugar, but keep fruit, honey and maple syrup?

[tinybutterfly]

In moderation of course. I'm not talking about massive amounts of honey and maple syrup.

Oh, and fruit. Is fruit still okay in moderation? That would be two to three servings of fruit per day.

I am just thinking about the whole sugar thing right now.

But...I don't want to make my life more difficult, I don't want to make eating with family and friends more difficult...

I don't have any issues, just thinking maybe it's time to ditch the sugar.

Thanks!

[CherryBomb]

I use raw honey and real maple syrup, and I eat fresh fruit every day I don't overdo it, of course, but I don't think there's anything wrong with it in moderation.

[Annie Mac]

Yes, of course! I know fruit is not popular with some types of diets, but I for one think it's brilliant. And I find that honey and maple syrup is harder to overeat than processed sugars.

[Sol_y_Paz]

You can if you want to, that is basically what I do within reason. I think it is smart to eat real whole foods vs. processed. Some sugar such as maple, honey, or fruit is just fine to me, especially whole fruit sugars found in the real fruit. The real fruit is loaded with more than just sugar, it has vitamins, fiber, real live stuff, super good for you!

[Ruthla]

If you find that you have blood sugar issues (including but not limited to diabetes) then you may need to limit all kinds of sugars, even natural ones. You may even need to limit complex carbs in that situation.

But ditching refined sugar (or only eating it for VERY special occasions) while continuing to eat fruit, maple syrup, and honey, is a great dietary plan for overall healthy people. It's not just the "simple carb" problem in refined sugar, but the fact that commercial sugar is devoid of any nutrients to go along with the simple carbs. Plus, many commercial products that contain sugar are overall bad for you in many other ways. If you skip the presweetened iced tea and have a cup of homemade iced tea with honey instead, you've avoided HFCS and artifical flavors, etc.

When eating with family and friends, you politely decline the desserts and sweetened beverages and eat the "real food." Depending on the situation, you may want to ignore the fact that there might be hidden sugars in sauces or salad dressings and just enjoy the meal and the company. In other situations (such as with people you eat with often), you'll want to speak up and help prepare a healthier meal for everybody.

It's not too hard to ask for oil and vinegar or lemon juice in a restaurant rather than consuming a questionable salad dressing, but if a friend has a pre-dressed salad on the table, it's harder to control the ingredients.

[ILoveMyBabyBird]

that's pretty much what i am doing as of last week, but i am also trying to avoid wheat, and sugars including honey and syrup. I am finding it quite easy to be honest! I have eaten out a few times, 1x panera bread i got a salad and substitued the bread for apple, 1x chinese steamed rice/cashew chicken (there may have been some sugar in the sauce, and 1x taco bell i got their new cantina tacos, (made of corn). The only thing i could think where you may have to go without or fudge on your diet is birthdays where there is cake etc. Eating regular meals shouldn't be a problem when going out with your friends/family. For breakfast i am eating things like eggs, cottage cheese, fruit, turkey sausage etc. Of course if someone bought you a box of chocolates, then that could be problem...But meals should be just fine!

[Magelet]

yup, I (almost never, birthdays etc I'll have a bite but only every few months) don't eat refined sugar. I do eat various natural sweetners in small/moderate quantities and plenty of fruit (though it's actuallyv very little fruit for financial reasons but I wouldn't mind eating more... lol)

[Delicateflower]

I'm not sure what the point of it would be. You're either cutting back on sweetened foods or you're not.

'refined' sugar is no longer refined once it's cooked into something. And sucrose is a more complicated sugar than fructose or glucose on their own.

[FairyRae]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

If you find that you have blood sugar issues (including but not limited to diabetes) then you may need to limit all kinds of sugars, even natural ones. You may even need to limit complex carbs in that situation.

But ditching refined sugar (or only eating it for VERY special occasions) while continuing to eat fruit, maple syrup, and honey, is a great dietary plan for overall healthy people. It's not just the "simple carb" problem in refined sugar, but the fact that commercial sugar is devoid of any nutrients to go along with the simple carbs. Plus, many commercial products that contain sugar are overall bad for you in many other ways. If you skip the presweetened iced tea and have a cup of homemade iced tea with honey instead, you've avoided HFCS and artifical flavors, etc.

I think there is a major difference between fruit and straight refined sugar. Many fruits are full of antioxidants and are a whole, real food, so digested differently.

I agree that if someone has blood sugar issues fruit, like honey, maple syrup, and refined sugar all contain carbs/sugars and may need to be limited. Also, for someone trying to lose weight, limiting carbs (which includes sugars) can be a very effective method.

[Llyra]

I also disagree that there's no difference. Raw honey, maple syrup, and fruit are full of minerals and antioxidants that are a great contribution to anyone's diet, consumed in moderation, as long as there are no specific health issues that require the elimination of simple sugars altogether.

I can't tolerate white sugar or corn syrup at all-- I have ulcerative colitis, and more than a tiny amount of sugar drives my gut nuts. I don't know why, exactly, but it does. But I put honey in my tea and maple syrup glaze on my ham, and eat TONS of fruit, and none of it bothers me.

[tinybutterfly]

Thanks, everyone!

I don't have any issues, no blood sugar problems. I am just thinking it would probably be good to stop eating processed sugar ( and eventually hfcs.)

For a short time my blood sugar was a little elevated, but some small dietary changes and excercise brought it back down.

I eat Feingold, so already don't eat quite so many processed foods, but do eat some.

I had heard differing opinions on maple syrup, honey and fruit. I will keep them, since they have some nutrients and vitamens, plus I am not talking about eating them in large quantities. Just a little in my oatmeal, tea or on a piece of toast now and then.