Sugar - Can it be Healthy? (split)

[eatsOats]

IMHO, if a recipe contains sugar it should not have the word "health" in the title.

[Andy M.]

Originally Posted by eatsOats

IMHO, if a recipe contains sugar it should not have the word "health" in the title.

Are you suggesting any amount of sugar is not healthful?

[IainDaniel]

Sugar products are not healthy no.

But natural sugars from fruits and other non processed foods are fine.

Corey, it seems like a lot of the food you list don't seem to be helpful with type II diabetes. These Granola bars and yogurt bars are loaded with sugar that are going to send your blood sugar all over the place. Sure they may be helpful when you are on the low side of your Blood sugar.

Ideally you should be eating non processed carbs (processed carbs are quicker digesting and will cause more dramatic flucuations in your blood glucose) Stick to Brown Rice, Sweet Potatoes, Oatmeal, Oat bran. Balance your diet with Proteins, Complex carbs, and healthy fats. and try to eat 5-6 meals a day, to keep your blood sugar levels consistent.

[Corey123]

Originally Posted by IainDaniel

Sugar products are not healthy no.

But natural sugars from fruits and other non processed foods are fine.

Corey, it seems like a lot of the food you list don't seem to be helpful with type II diabetes. These Granola bars and yogurt bars are loaded with sugar that are going to send your blood sugar all over the place. Sure they may be helpful when you are on the low side of your Blood sugar.

Ideally you should be eating non processed carbs (processed carbs are quicker digesting and will cause more dramatic flucuations in your blood glucose) Stick to Brown Rice, Sweet Potatoes, Oatmeal, Oat bran. Balance your diet with Proteins, Complex carbs, and healthy fats. and try to eat 5-6 meals a day, to keep your blood sugar levels consistent.

Actually, I don't eat as much sugar as you seem to think I do.

But then again, who on earth eats cereal, any kind without a little sugar? Except maybe yourself.

My nutritionist did not say eat sweets all the time, but she DID say that sugar simply can't be eliminated altogether. Yes, OJ is naturally sweet, has lots of sugar and helps gets the glucose level back to normal.

But I found myself having those attacks at least twice daily! Mainly in the afternoon. And I don't eat the granola bars all the time. Only when an attack starts to come on.

And oh yes, speaking of sugar, the nutritionist also suggested that I keep some candy around as well. Sorry, but also, when I bake now and then, no one on the face of the earth bakes a cake, pie or cookies without sugar in them.

[nancylee]

Well I have to say I always eat oatmeal without sugar! I add blueberries or other sliced fruit.(no canned)
I think we as a society have become addicted to sugar.
In the last few years I've made some big changes in our way of eating, I belong to a food coop. I never buy boxed anything. So that means I do the outside edges of the grocery store. Fruits and vegies and the organic and natural and I'm done!
nancylee

[lulu]

In Uk many people consider suger on porridge to be a travesty or an indulgence too far! In Scotland, and some other Britsh families, you eat porridge with a little salt. In my family we have salt, fruit, or on high day and holidays we do have sugar: brown sugar and cream! But not sugar every day. I think in general when you cut down on sugar you notice the flavours of things more. It takes a while, but it does happen. I have blood sugar probs, and I notice I have faint-wobblies far less frequently when my overall intake of simple sugars is low, and in general I feel more well. That does not mean I always live like that though! when I do however I do notice I get a faint-wobbly later in the day when I break my sugar ban, eg if I have cake at eleven I NEED something sweet in the mid afternoon. That is what makes it such a tough cycle to break. :(

[Corey123]

Originally Posted by nancylee

Well I have to say I always eat oatmeal without sugar! I add blueberries or other sliced fruit.(no canned)
I think we as a society have become addicted to sugar.
In the last few years I've made some big changes in our way of eating, I belong to a food coop. I never buy boxed anything. So that means I do the outside edges of the grocery store. Fruits and veggies and the organic and natural and I'm done!
nancylee

Ever since were kids, we've always had sugar on our cereal, hot or cold, unledss the cereal was already sweetened.

I do not eat cereal without sugar, and I'm not about to start now.

[Alix]

Originally Posted by Corey123

I do not eat cereal without sugar, and I'm not about to start now.

Come on Corey, you have done so well with other changes to your life. Those tablespoons of sugar can really mess up that blood sugar. Try some fruit cut up on your cereal instead, you will be surprised at how it sweetens things up.

[eatsOats]

Originally Posted by Corey123

Ever since were kids, we've always had sugar on our cereal, hot or cold, unledss the cereal was already sweetened.

I do not eat cereal without sugar, and I'm not about to start now.

I'm not going to attempt to convince you to do otherwise, but just know that Splenda (sucralose) is a very worthy sugar substitute, especially on cereal.

[eatsOats]

Originally Posted by Andy M.

Are you suggesting any amount of sugar is not healthful?

It's a little more complicated than that. I think sugar in the form of fructose has a much smaller impact on blood glucose levels than does table sugar. Depending on one's fitness goals, sugars in the form of dextrose can be used beneficially for glycogen replenishment and to elicit an insulin response post-workout.

But table sugar... I believe the more you can stay away from that the better off you are. Molasses and honey make good natural sweetners, and sucralose is even better for maintaining consistent blood sugar levels. Yes, table sugar tastes great and it's hard to bake sweets and treat without it. What does that mean for someone who is very health conscious? Keep them to a minimum.