Eliminating Sugar From Your Diet

[shoegal2183]

glad I found this thread..

I've been pretty certain sugar (along with simple carbohydrates/starches) has been causing lots of problems in my body.

Anyone read "The Yeast Connection" or know about Candida? I've been on and off the right diet for treating candida (along with taking good probiotics and herbs)... it's just so hard to stick to longterm. Maybe this thread will help!

Yes, I'm very familiar with this book. I found it was really important for me to be more aware of what I am eating and to get the good probiotics to help with this problem. It is very hard to find a doctor who takes Candida seriously or even knows much about nutrition. They would always say "Eat Yogurt" but yogurt has soo much sugar in it..anyway, i'm rambling now..

 

[haute femme]

^exactly! I'm trying to find a homeopathic doctor in my area for this reason. I feel like a lot of people could take control of their fatigue, cravings etc if they knew about it.

I didn't consider it seriously until I got.. well, a yeast infection. I haven't really had one before so it just put things into perspective.

 

[baRose]

I have insulin resistance so I have to avoid all processed sugars. I've been sugar free for about a year and a half but still love 80% dark chocolate which I may have once a week. Sometimes when I travel I feel myself slipping back to my bad habbits though.

I dont eat artificial sweeteners either so I stick with fruit and feel OK as long as its low GI fruit (berries, etc)

 

[Virginielle]

I've been considering cutting refined sugar out of my diet (among other things for New Year's...) and I found this list of effects during a search. I can't speak to the accuracy of the information here, but I figure at least some of them must have some truth to them, and I seriously doubt I can find reasons better than these to deprive myself of chocolate and crème brûlée on a daily basis..

• Sugar can suppress the immune system.
• Sugar can upset the body's mineral balance.
• Sugar can contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children.
• Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
• Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.
• Sugar can reduce helpful high density cholesterol (HDLs).
• Sugar can promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol (LDLs).
• Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.
• Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.
• Sugar can cause kidney damage.
• Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
• Sugar may lead to chromium deficiency.
• Sugar can cause copper deficiency.
• Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.
• Sugar can increase fasting levels of blood glucose.
• Sugar can promote tooth decay.
• Sugar can produce an acidic stomach.
• Sugar can raise adrenaline levels in children.
• Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.
• Sugar can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and grey hair.
• Sugar can increase total cholesterol.
• Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
• High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Sugar can contribute to diabetes.
• Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.
• Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
• Sugar leads to decreased glucose tolerance.
• Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease.
• Sugar can increase systolic blood pressure.
• Sugar causes food allergies.
• Sugar can cause free radical formation in the bloodstream.
• Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.
• Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.
• Sugar can overstress the pancreas, causing damage.
• Sugar can cause atherosclerosis.
• Sugar can compromise the lining of the capillaries.
• Sugar can cause liver cells to divide, increasing the size of the liver.
• Sugar can increase the amount of fat in the liver.
• Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney.
• Sugar can cause depression.
• Sugar can increase the body's fluid retention.
• Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance.
• Sugar can cause hypertension.
• Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.
• Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha and theta brain waves, which can alter the mind's ability to think clearly.
• Sugar can increase blood platelet adhesiveness which increases risk of blood clots and strokes.
• Sugar can increase insulin responses in those consuming high-sugar diets compared to low sugar diets.
• Sugar increases bacterial fermentation in the colon.

http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/sugar.htm

 

[Fabulyss]

Of all the tidbits in this thread to inspire one not to eat sugar that post definitely inspires me to cut back. Can fruit sugars really be that terrible for you though?

 

[Virginielle]

I think it's probably just refined sugar (like white sugar). I doubt fruit is ever all that bad for you.

 

[aMMbitious]

but doesnt glucose feed our brain....?

 

[Virginielle]

I think the bad stuff is really only the refined sugar. Sugars that occur naturally are the kinds that nourish you. Too much of ANYTHING is usually not so good. The following is an excerpt from an article I posted in its entirety in the "Boosting Your Immune System" thread. (Also found here: http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/10_ways_to_boost_immune_health)

7. Worse yet is the impact of refined white sugar. If you do only one thing to boost your immune system, eliminating sugar will do the trick. You will see noticeable results in your energy levels, weight distribution, immunity and your ability to think clearly when you break the cravings and stop eating refined sugar. Many holistic nutritionists consider sugar a drug for its impact on the human body; I have known practitioners to prioritize eliminating sugar from the diet over recommending that people quitting smoking. Healthier sugars such as agave and stevia do exist, but I avoid artificial sweeteners; they are more toxic than cane sugar.

 

[Melisande]

but doesnt glucose feed our brain....?

Glucose which the body processes from other foods we eat, yes; we do not need pure glucose.

 

[Snow-White]

I try to use raw sugar whenever I can
Honey instead of sugar in my oatmeal
Jaggerry coated peanuts and sesame taste great ... all natural
I don't like too much sweet stuff anyway :eek:

 

[goregeous]

I've never had much problem controlling myself around sweets(the odd cupcake here or there) but I used to be addicted to sodas. I found that instead of having soda in the house I buy soda water, it's fizzy and carbonated but is just water. I find that worked wonders for me, and now whenever I do try to have a glass of soda I can't finish it because it's way too sugary.
I second snow-white with the honey, it tastes way better than sugar in my oatmeal

 

[Couturierdiva]

I don't drink sodas and avoid most sweets (I love ice cream).

I also try to limit breads and other carbs. But it seems like sugar-based foods are in so much of the foods we eat, it's almost impossible to eliminate or almost totally reduce sugar from your diet. Is this an American problem? I feel like when I travel abroad, it seems that the rest of you use other sweeteners like Agave.

Do many of you all use Agave?

 

[Couturierdiva]

Also, if you are a raw foodist, you'll come to find that the more fat in your diet, the more you crave sugar. Maybe it is the same with the rest of you?

Sugar is evil. I don't need it anymore cos of dates and raw cheesecakes and all sorts of natural yummies. Maple Syrup of grade B/C is awesome and even better is Agave Nectar. Goodbye spots, dark cirles and a physical crutch. I am not perfect yet, but I am getting there.

Can you post a recipe for raw cheesecake? Also, are more products being made with agave nectar? I've heard a lot of good things about it.

 

[Couturierdiva]

We need sugar for two things, one is for the brain and other is male testes, eww. But as humans living in the modern world we don't need processed sugar because the food we take in turns into sugar in our bodies after we eat them. There is no daily dose of sugar needed, we could live without processed sugar and never feel it, except for the cravings

Does raw sugar have a less harmful effect?

 

[Couturierdiva]

What about pineapples and pineapple juices? Pineapple is one of the sweetest fruits with natural sugars, which is less harmful. Have any of you used this to sweeten things?

Well, here's an article about it.
http://health-care.eu/health-benefits-of-raw-pineapple-juice

Health Benefits of Raw Pineapple Juice

Raw pineapple juice contains almost all vitamins and minerals essential for the digestive system. It stimulates the kidney, relieves intestinal disorders and has diuretic properties.

Raw pineapple juice is also claimed to be an effective remedy for intestinal worms.

Furthermore, pineapple juice reduces excess water buildups and helps to maintain a healthy water balance in the body. As a result, a certain percentage of your weight can decrease.

Pineapple juice contains a mixture of protein-digesting enzymes called Bromelain. Bromelain is an anti-inflammatory agent, which is used for athletic injuries, arthritis and post-operative swelling. Bromelain has also proved to be effective in treatment of hemorrhoids, colitis, sore throat and menstrual disorders.
Pineapple juice is a good source of Vitamin C, which is a highly effective antioxidant, fights bacterial and viral infections, and does help the body to absorb iron.

Raw pineapple juice is also a source of Vitamin B1, which plays an important role in converting blood sugar into energy.

Pineapple has minimal fat, 100 gr. of pineapple contain only 48 kcal.

Raw pineapple juice is also good for the heart as it reduces blood clots in the blood-stream.
200-250 ml of raw pineapple juice is suggested for daily intake.
Note: Only ripe fruits should be used in raw juice therapy. Ripe pineapples are heavy and have sweet aroma.

 

[Virginielle]

Yeah, raw anything juice ought to be fine. It's the refined sugar you have to watch out for. An excess of refined sugar is responsible for a great many of the so-called Western diseases (obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc.) and is best avoided. The sugar that's naturally in any kind of fruit is fine, as is pretty much everything in moderation.

 

[angelfish]

trying so hard to give up the sugar. been trying for months actually. it wreaks havoc on my skin and of course its just bad for you in general. soda in paricular is hard for me, no idea why. i get these kicks where i have to have a pepsi every few days for like a month or so...but ive been buying pellegrino so maybe that might do the trick.

 

[Virginielle]

^Well done!

I'm bracing myself for the holidays.

 

[TommyGirl]

Sugar is my biggest problem, too! I have these periods without sugar and sweets, and it gets easier week by week, but when I eat something once, here we go again!!!

I`ve tried moderation, too. One cookie, one small chocolate bar..it just leaves me craving for more. And usually I find something more. I really believe this is already some kind of addiction to me..it comes by night, I can eat healthy for whole day, but when clock hits 10 pm, my heads gets full of sweet thoughts I used to be addicted to sodas, but I changed to Pepsi Max.

Now I´m mostly worried about my teeth, I have always had white, pretty smile without any breaks, but now dentist asks me everytime I go there, "do you eat much candies" etc?

I guess I should cut all the extra sugar ( leave only whole grain foods and fruits, veggies..but it`s so hard. Without no doubt as hard as quitting smoking.

 

[Couturierdiva]

Yeah, raw anything juice ought to be fine. It's the refined sugar you have to watch out for. An excess of refined sugar is responsible for a great many of the so-called Western diseases (obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc.) and is best avoided. The sugar that's naturally in any kind of fruit is fine, as is pretty much everything in moderation.

Yeah. I have a juicer, so I'll just keep doing that.