Sugar question?

[Sheena23]

Hi I'm new here, I just started on Monday and things are going okay. I am going through some major withdrawl but I know it will pass in a couple of days.

I know I'm not allowed sugar but I do not really like any of the sweeteners out there, not to mention the fact that they are not good for you. I've pulled up many studies that list the harmful ingredients and I just don't really want to go there. Maybe some time in the future I will have a different opinion on it. It's almost like they are too sweet for me anyways I find that they numb my tastebuds.

I was just wondering if anyone had any sucess with leaving a bit of sugar in your diet? I have managed to cut it out except for one teaspoon in my now decaff coffee. I have switched from 2 tsp to 1 tsp so I know that's good and I am hoping to cut that down eventually but right now that's what I can do.

[brandywine1241]

Re: Sugar question?

Have you tried stevia? It's all natural.

[Grant]

Re: Sugar question?

How about trying no sweeteners at all? It seems like it would be hard to do I know but really I think you will find, as I did, that the sweet cravings just go away. Pretty soon things I never thought about suddenly became super sweet to me. I remember once i got on the fruit run how incredibly sweet melns were. Pretty amazing and totally worth the effort of doing Atkins 100% the right way.

[Georgiana]

Re: Sugar question?

I'm in my last three days of induction and I never had any sweeteners during the last week and a half. It's only bad in the first days, but then you get used to it.

Among vegetables, red/yellow peppers are sweet and 'legal', so you might try them if you have a bad craving.

[Sheena23]

Re: Sugar question?

Thanks everyone. I am really trying to cut out that sugar, I try to drink my coffee with just cream every morning, it seems that I keep putting less in so hopefully I can kick it really soon.

I haven't tried Stevia, I will try to find it around here, I like all the health benefits it has!!

I didn't think red peppers were allowed??? I know that 1/2 cup has 5g of carbs from the power of five chart, and I thought I was only allowed a total of 5g carbs for all my veggies. Am I wrong on that??

[Grant]

Re: Sugar question?

Yikes, are you trying to live on 5 net carbs a day? During induction you are allowed 20 net carbs per day. The majority of these should come from vegetables

I feel it's absolutely vital that you get, and read, Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution. 2002 edition. Absolutely vital.

.

[Sheena23]

Re: Sugar question?

I have the book, maybe that was a mis read. I'll go back and read that chapter again:P

[Sheena23]

Re: Sugar question?

Oh you know what it is I am reading ahead of myself. I was thinking of when you get to add 5g of carbs. Sorry my bad!!

[HealthyMiMi]

Re: Sugar question?

When sugar is added to this diet it will actually make you gain weight because of all the fat that we must eat. The two together(fat and sugar) are what cause the majority weight related health problems. I agree with Grant. When you cut out sugar completely you're tastebuds get super-sensitive. Definitely drop the sugar or drop this WOE because it can be disastrous This is from my MD who recommended this diet for me.

[Sheena23]

Re: Sugar question?

oh wow really!!! Even as little as a teaspoon of sugar? Now if this is true I'm worried about the bacon I have in the morning. I noticed this morning that it has sugar in the ingredients, is this bad too? If it is what kind of bacon am I suppose to buy and where can I find it???

[Mirya]

Re: Sugar question?

try stevia or splenda. they are a little off as far as flavor but you do eventually get used to it. I have never used stevia but both are natural. Splenda comes from sugar.... i do know that so how harmful can that be? Just do yourself a favor give up the sugar. even that little teaspoon/tablespoon your using is packed with carbs.

Try cutting out all the sugar and just using splenda or stevia for 2weeks to a month. It is not THAT bad. And doing so you will be doing atkins. The Atkins WOE does not allow for sugar until your in higher rungs and that is ONLY from fruits.

[Grant]

Re: Sugar question?

Bacon is tricky. It seems like almost every company cures their bacon in sugar. If you are near a Wal-Mart take a look for Gwaltney brand bacon. It has nitrates but no sugar.

[Sheena23]

Re: Sugar question?

I'm trying to find Stevia around here. Splenda is processed by chlorinating sugar, so 98% of that is pure but the other two percent is made up of Heavy Metals (e.g., Lead), Arsenic, Triphenilphosphine Oxide, Methanol, Chlorinated Disaccharides, and Chlorinated Monosaccharide. For something that chemically made I am surprised there have not been more human studies on it. Considering that in animals it has shown to cause such things as Shrunken thymus glands, Enlarged liver and kidneys, atrophy of lymph follicles in the spleen and thymus, increased cecal weight, reduced growth rate, decreased red blood cell count, hyperplasia of the pelvis, extension of the pregnancy period, aborted pregnancy, decreased fetal body weights and placental weights, and diarrhea.

I'm not intending to preach here about why everyone should get off of Splenda. I just want you to see where I am coming from, and what exactly I'm talking about.

Now Stevia I have researched and am as I said trying to find it so hopefully I can come across some today. Thank you for all your advice if I can't find Stevia I think tomorrow I will just not have the coffee and see how that goes, maybe after a couple of days of no sugar I'll be able to have my coffee with just cream.

[Carb Addict]

Re: Sugar question?

This diet will change how you eat and what you consume. I will gladly take the trade off of the mazzive energy kick over the weight gain of sugar. That is saying alot because I have even given up my addiction of a Venti Chai Tea Latte, extra pump, non fat from Starbucks because it had like 46g of sugar in it!! When you actually start reading the labels, it will shock you. Yesterday I had arugula ( gross bitter greens that were organic by the way) and for half of the container, it contained 1 g of sugar. Unreal! Stay the course, you will triumph!!

[julirama723]

Re: Sugar question?

Carb Addict--vegetables have natural sugars. That's what's in the arugula. Same with fruits, diary, nuts, legumes, and all unprocessed foods! It's impossible to avoid natural sugars, even veggies have them.

The key is to avoid ADDED sugars.

Sheena--I agree wholeheartedly with avoiding Splenda. Not only is it NOT natural, the bulking agents add carbs. Did I mention it also causes major reactions in people? Some people get diarrhea, some get stomach aches, some get headaches. For me it causes the cephalic insulin response. I taste something sweet, and my blood sugar spikes, even though it's not sugar. I rarely have that happen with natural sugars.

I love stevia--if I sweeten food, I use that. I don't buy the packets, instead I buy the extract, and a few drops do the trick!