Dare to Eat Less Sugar

583members Daring to Eat less sugar have tracked a total of 946 times

Eat less sugar so you can become healthier, lose weight and maintain a healthy energy level. Avoid sugar highs and crashes by eating more fruit and a balanced diet.

Member Comments

By Nicole-Indiana on November 11, 2009 at 04:47 PM

Yesterday was my 1st day of watching my sugar consumption. 58g yesterday and 39g today. Now if I can keep this up!!

By KM9165 on November 7, 2009 at 11:36 PM

I am taking this dare because I feel horrible when I eat too much sugar. I crave sugar and don't want to eat anything but sugar once I start. Even though I feel icky when I eat it and I know I should eat better, it is like I am out of control. I am taking this dare to help myself out of this nutrition rut. Today I ate an entire pack of cookies. The only real food I ate was a bowl of soup.

By Anonymous on November 6, 2009 at 08:12 PM

chocolate chips and 2 mini mint 3 muskateers= too much sugar! Feel nasty and overly full...

By dhbaldwin on November 5, 2009 at 08:56 AM

I am trying to cut down on refined sugar, but was discouraged today that, by lunchtime, I am already up to 35 grams! This is coming primarily from milk and berries. What is a good goal for daily sugar consumption (in terms of grams) and how do you eat a healthy, well-rounded diet without adding all the sugar that comes from low-fat products like skim milk?


By BeckyDK on November 5, 2009 at 09:46 AM

The sugar in milk and berries is not refined sugar (as refined refers to something that has been processed), so unless you are drinking milk with added sugar in it, it is all natural and therefore not processed or refined.

By BeckyDK on November 5, 2009 at 09:44 AM

When I eat sugar (or simple carbs) it greatly affects my mood. When I "overdose" on sugar I feel depressed, overwhelmed and sometimes even begin to cry within an hour. It is greatly affecting my life, I am always tired, have horrible moodswings and I know I need to have sugar out of my life.

By CuteBeans9 on June 1, 2009 at 04:01 PM

I haven't tracked my food today, but I wanted to post this to the dare wall, it might help others...

Q: How much sugar should I eat each day?
A: The USDA suggests that you get about half of your calories from carbohydrates. The sugar found naturally in fruit and vegetables is OK because the fruits or vegetables add a lot of good nutrition. Sugar from corn syrup or table sugar should really be used sparingly because it adds no nutritional value, just empty calories.

The USDA suggests that the amount of added sugar calories (the sugar not found naturally in the fruits or vegetables you eat) should fit into your daily discretionary calories. Your daily discretionary calories is the number of calories you can eat each day over the amount you need nutritionally and not gain weight. For most of us, that discretionary calorie budget is around 100 to 300 calories per day.


By CuteBeans9 on June 1, 2009 at 04:02 PM

That's about 40 grams of sugar per day by the way.


By flydannie on June 5, 2009 at 11:23 AM

Sweet... :)


By LilMizMargi on August 31, 2009 at 01:36 PM

I do not listen to one word spoken by the USDA. They are the ones responsible for the approval of the meat, chicken, pork etc. we eat which is all grown in SAD, UNHEALTHY environments. They also approve all the sugary drinks, colas, sports drinks, sugary yogurts, and the like. Who can trust anything the USDA says??? For expert nutritional advise, check out mercola.com.


By ddSlowman on September 20, 2009 at 07:51 PM

New guidelines from the AHA say it should be 6 teaspoons for women and 9 teaspoons for men (or 100 and 150 calories, respectively). Link is here, read the accompanying scientific paper for more detailed info: http://americanheart.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=800


By dhbaldwin on November 4, 2009 at 04:24 PM

thanks for this info, CuteBeans. I wondered what goal I should have for "healthy" sugar consumption. 40 grams sounds realistic...

By chelseybug90 on October 17, 2009 at 07:57 PM

2 packs mentos
3 peanut clusters
2 life savers

only 1 fruit - large banana

need more fruit and less sweets but this is really good for me
I ate lot less sugar today than I normally eat


By tracijoy on October 21, 2009 at 06:56 PM

Chelsey,
One day at a time is all we can do. Tracking your intake and making yourself accountable is a great start. I remember days when I ate sooo much more than what you've listed, but I would say I would never eat that much because I didn't write it down and keep track of it. SO good for you. Every day you'll see less and less on your list.
Traci

By soniabelle on October 14, 2009 at 05:18 AM

I just want my sugar intake to be consistently LOW! I go high and low, then high for a few days, then back to low for a day or two. It's always at the end of the day too and i'm FAIRLY sure i'm only doing it because i'm bored OR because i'm used to eating sugar. I didn't want it today, i wasn't hungry at all, but i still ate heaps of bad sugary things after i finished work! D'OH i'm so mad at myself...


By tracijoy on October 21, 2009 at 06:54 PM

Sonia,
Before you know it, you will have many low days between those high days, and those high days will be fewer and farther between. Hang in there... we have all been there, and still are there sometimes.
Traci

By CaleighK on October 6, 2009 at 09:06 AM

Currently I really dont eat added sugars BUT Im an artificial sweetner junkie and I dont think it's been good for my health to have relie on them so heavily over the last 15 yrs. So im using this dare to quit artificial sweetners, continue to avoid added sugars and instead consume healthy things like natural sugars (such as in fruit).
:)


By tracijoy on October 21, 2009 at 06:53 PM

Caleigh,
Good call on cutting back on the artificial sweeteners. If you must have something, try Stevia. It is not an artificial sweetener, but a natural herb. It will not raise your blood sugar levels! It is 40 times sweeter than sugare so a little goes a long way. Go for the SweetLeaf Stevia Plus brand, found in health food stores and some grocery stores. Good luck to you!
Traci

By tracijoy on October 2, 2009 at 03:32 AM

Hello all...

You all are doing so well, it's inspirational to me! I can fall off the wagon sooo easily, even though I am very aware of the dangers of sugar, and the effects that it has on the body.

Keep up the good work... as we enter the silly sweet season...

By Eskarina on September 29, 2009 at 12:49 PM

60g yesterday. I had a cupcake. ):

By HealthynFL on September 22, 2009 at 08:21 AM

I still haven't had ANY sweets since 9/09/09. It has been quite a challenge for me because I love desserts, but I can already see the results and this is really making me feel more motivated.

By Loi13 on September 19, 2009 at 09:01 PM

D:

By Troqnovo on September 18, 2009 at 11:54 AM

First day, no sugar at all.

By Troqnovo on September 17, 2009 at 06:55 AM

I don't want to use any sugar, except from the fruits. My recent teeth problems opened my eyes for the reality. I didn't notice how much sweet I used to eat. Time for a change.

By soasinger on September 17, 2009 at 04:26 AM

35g sugar yesterday...1st day so want to get below 30 today. I was surprised how fast it added up!

By Eskarina on September 16, 2009 at 12:04 PM

Since I had 23g of refined sugar yesterday, I've lowered my goal from 40g to 20g in an effort to challenge myself. Time will tell how I hold out.

By HealthynFL on September 16, 2009 at 08:32 AM

I'm so proud of myself, today it has been 7 days that I haven't eaten any refined sugar, not even Splenda (which I started avoiding). I'm only getting natural sugar from fruits and other foods.

By soasinger on September 16, 2009 at 04:58 AM

Does anyone know anything about splenda? I've been using it some for cooking & friend said I shouldn't be using it but to use real sugar. Would love some input.
Thanks.

By Eskarina on September 12, 2009 at 08:58 PM

112 grams today. ): Nearly all of that is from fruit though...


By Eskarina on September 12, 2009 at 09:01 PM

Okay, I just did the math and 51 grams are not from fruit. Better, but still above what I'd like.

Topic Guide

Topic Guide

Name: Traci

Profession: I am a writer, and a student of nutrition, testing soon for my CNC...

About Me: I live in the beautiful Catskill Mtns of New York State, and am surrounded by wonderful family and friends. I have a beautiful...

Congratulations on making a decision that will lead to a healthier mind and body! Cutting back on sugar is no easy task... but know that here you have support from others who are going through the same struggle. While different circumstances may have brought us here, our goal is the same. Good luck on your dare... you CAN do it.

advertisement
Members Who Dare

All members taking this Dare

Tools

Track your daily calories. See how many calories you burn and consume.

BMI is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight.

Map your local running, cycling, walking and hiking routes and track your calorie burn.

Find us on the web, receive emails and use our mobile app to keep you motivated.

This tool will help you to decide whether to treat at home or see a doctor.