Cutting out refined sugar

At the moment, I'm cutting out all refined sugar out of my diet. This means eating nothing with added sugar in it, obviously allowing foods with natural sugars such as fruit and vegetables. I've been doing it since Friday and it isn't too bad, funny how little you miss it when you aren't so used to it!

My question is, has anyone else tried this? Is it worth it? Am I doing about the same damage with the amount of sugar in fruit and vegetables?

Thanks, and love the website!

I do this all the time for the most part, and I think it's definitely worth it.  Refined sugar has no nutritional value whatsoever, so if you take it out of your diet and replace it with healthy alternatives you're doing a good thing for yourself in the long run.  I wish you the best of luck in achieving your endeavors!  :)

thank you very much :)

Do you notice any difference when it comes to weight loss?

For sure, because most of the food that refined sugar is in is also very high in calories.  I look at it like I get to eat more everyday when I don't eat refined sugar because healthy foods like veggies and fruits are way lower in calories... A bonus for sure :)

Brilliant, thanks :)

Hello =] I am trying to do this as well. I have a massive chocolate and PB sweet tooth, so it's been harder for me. BUT, finding healthier alternatives has been fun & challenging. And honestly, I like the alternatives better in taste. I don't know if it's a "mind over matter" circumstance or what, but it works for me =] 

I totally agree with you! When I have fruit rather than something sugary, I enjoy it so much more, and often find if I have something sugary, I have it and regret not having fruit instead after.

I went food shopping at M&S today and there were some LOVELY looking foods, but I bypassed it all and got some lovely mango, blueberries, grapes etc. and found myself very excited to get home and have some, rather than a sugary equivalent. I was very happy :)

Also bought some frozen fruit to make some nice healthy ice lollies with the weather getting nicer :)

Im doing this for almost 2 months now. Its isnt so hard but now that the weather is getting better I crave for Ice Cream :)

Oh I know. How are you finding the results Tuki?

Well I dont have the energy I used to have, and a lost a few kg s, its preety hard when I feel the need for sugar I eat some fruit ( oranges, bananas) Anyway Alililicey why do you need to loose weight ? you look great :)

Aww, thank you, you're very kind.

I've kinda been stuck at this weight for ages, just a little above what I should be and noticably that little bit chubby. I've never felt good about my body, and like so many done so many fads to lose those few pounds.

Finally, like so many, with CC I'm starting to notice a difference! Hopefully I'll by summer I'll have nice skinny thighs and also have lost those annoying little bits of chubb around the back of my hips haha.

How about yourself Tuki? I'd return the compliment if there was actually a picture posted! :P

YUP its how i live

pcos and insulin resistence

i load up on veg but i even have to be careful with fruit, no more than 1x a day

cant kick that diet coke habit tho i drink it like water

ur niggly cravings will go away and u'll have more energy...and age slower lol

I'm all up for ageing slower haha.

The cravings are pretty much going away now, I think I want it, think about actually eating it and realise I wouldn't actually enjoy it now!

I've been asking everyone, but what do you find weight loss related?

well its different in my case bcause of PCOS and IR but its FRUCTOSE that the baddie for me. so while i am maintaining, ive still found that if i replace veg for fruits even watery ones like melon and grapes my weight can shoot up 2+ lbs in just a few weeks (only 5ft 1 so it can look noticeable lol)

my weight always drops back down easily if i choose to add mushrooms beansprouts carrots broccoli, etc, in lieu of fruit

but please dont think this has to apply to u its very extreme and complex cause i do have very bad pcos and very sensitive to fructose

  fruits AND veg shud be grand for u lol

but logistically, no refined sugars shud deffo result in weight loss especially if u were the type before to drink sodas, eat junk, add sugars to tea etc.....

i like to keep myself motivated by thinking of the healthy aspects, personally

Ah, I see. Thank you :)

I'm lucky that I am one who ADORES veg, so I'd be happy eating purely that day in and day out... sadly those who live with me prefer a little more substance to their meals haha.

I'm 5"1 too, it's a hard life isn't it? Everything's noticeable when you're 5"1!

ah tis, tis

when u are a uk size 3 shoe its even worse! people, especially Male frends r just compelled to come up to me and PICK ME UP GAAAAAH I HATE IT SO MUCH i cant help it if i stopped growing when i was 11 m'kay haha the ironic thing is i was the tallest in my class from age 4-12 , so i actually experienced both....i like being short tho...u can surprise people when they expect u to be dinky and waiflike...i am that but i'm feisty lol

i am a veg LIKER not lover....i'm a chicken, beans and seafood gal tho i spose uve figured that out! substance is good tho dont get too hung up on just veg and fruit x

Actually, I've found that cutting out refined sugars doesn't necessarilly help with the calorie-counting.  I can chew on a very yummy cookie or a banana or an apple, and they're all around 100 calories.  What really makes me grab for the banana is the protein and fiber, and I'd only go for the apple because of fiber and vitamins (I actually hate the darn things.... ;) )

My mom had to cut out sugars because her triglycerides where high and replace white breads and pasta with whole wheat, she wasn't on a diet and in a few months she lost a lot of weight!!  She also added a two mile walk every night, now she needs to gain.  She liked her hard candy at night so that cut a bit of calories out of her diet plus she now has diet coke instead of regular. 

I also cut sugar out and it has helped!!  I never realised sugar was so bad I always thought fat was the bad thing.  I guess its good to stay low fat and low sugar... for a healthy heart (for cholesterol anyways).

Just got a compliment about clear looking skin today, another bonus of cutting the sugar!

I worry that although it's all natural sugar, that I'm still getting too much sugar because obviously this would just be stored as fat... =/

Good for you alililicey!

My mom's cardiologist said the natural sugars are fine but again that is for heart reasons not weight.  As long as you are eating within your calorie budget I think your fine with regards to weight.

Brilliant, thank you sfredbull :)