What causes my sugar cravings?

[gypsy]

Hi ,

At the moment I am trying to get my nutrition and training in check. Both are okay at the moment, still needs some fine tuning but I am getting there.

The trouble I am having with my diet is that I have such sweet cravings, I dont mean wanting chocolate. I eat honey and jam and even worse Nutella straight from the jar and I cant seem to give up sugar in my coffee. Why is that? I can be strict with everything else but that is my dieting downfall. Is it just a bad habit now? or is there some other reason why I just have to do that? Any feedback would be good, thanks

[Miranda]

unstable blood sugar. if you eat simple carbs - white bread, rice, cookies, i.e. sugar - without much fiber it is released into the bloodstram really quickly (the yummy high you get from sweets). the caveat is that the faster your blood sugar rises, the faster it crashes, falling below normal levels. the body then tries to get it back up which makes you eat everything in sight.

[Amris]

Yep, Miranda summed it up well... sugar causes your sugar cravings.

Your body can't properly balance your blood sugar because it's bouncing around too much...

OH CRAP SUGAR RUSH, UNLOAD ALL SIX INSULIN CANNONS! FIRE FIRE FIRE!!!

OH CRAP, I feel like doggie doo, too much insulin, HELP! Oh, thank god, SUGAR!

OH CRAP SUGAR RUSH, UNLOAD ALL SIX INSULIN CANNONS! FIRE FIRE FIRE!!! BOMB'S AWAY!



Rinse and repeat.

[Amris]

One more thing, by the way.

You may also have a "blood candida" infection. Candida is always present in our digestive system, it's our friend. But, if you take antibiotics, it can sometimes grow out of control. Then it leaves the digestive tract and enters the blood stream.

There, it consumes sugar. When you stop eating sugar, it starts to die. When it starts to die, it gives off chemicals that are basically a cry for help. So, you start to feel crappy because of the chemicals released by the dying candida. So... you feed them.

It's a neverending cycle that can ONLY be won by ... you guessed it... no more sugar, and cut back on the processed carbs.

There are also pills that you can take which will help with the infestation, too, but you HAVE to combine it with getting rid of the sugar.

[gypsy]

Thanks for the replies. So basically if it just a sugar craving there is nothing I can do about it, but just stopping , like quitting smoking cold turkey, oh my god!! That is going to be hard!!

Interesting about what was said about a candida infection, I never knew that. I dont think it could be that as I havent been on antibiotics for years.

[Amris]

You could have had the candida for years. Did you just start eating sugar yesterday? :p

[gypsy]

6 months or more I guess I have been craving sugar , how do I know if I did have that( Candida)?

[Amris]

If you eat sugar because of physical discomfort (withdrawal-like symptoms) rather than fatigue. Fatigue is usually the result of insulin problems. Feelings like jittery stomach, strange sensation in your throat, headaches, nausea, etc. are more indicative of the candida problem, and you should get tested for it if you have those issues.

[pgun3]

I think I have a problem with candida! Can you tell me more about it? I sometimes get this jittery feeling in my stomach, I had it last night and thought I was hungry so I ate something! and I crave sugar like you wouldn't believe.

Penny

[Amris]

I think I have a problem with candida! Can you tell me more about it? I sometimes get this jittery feeling in my stomach, I had it last night and thought I was hungry so I ate something! and I crave sugar like you wouldn't believe.

Penny
Hi Penny.

It's not really too hard to tell if you have it. If you feel like you are in PHYSICAL withdrawal after not getting sugar or high glycemic carbs for a long time, you pretty likely have it. Usually hypoglycemia is easy to recognize (and is a side effect of insulin reasons for wanting sugar). It's typically a feeling of almost total exhaustion, soon you get a headache, and your mood rapidly deteriorates.

When you have candida infection, you get these symptoms, but you get a "jitteriness" along with it, as well as sometimes even muscle pains, strange feeling in the back of your throat, craving for liquid as well as for sugar, weakness and trembling in your limbs, coldness in the extremities... all of the typical delirium tremens symptoms. Which is actually alcohol withdrawal, but the sugar withdrawal for someone with candida mimics it, just to a MUCH smaller degree:


Initially, there is confusion, delerium, and hallucinations. People appear very agitated and are unable to sleep. There is elevation of the temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. Sweating is increased.

Usually, you don't get the hallucinations, but the rest is pretty spot-on, though some might experience drop in blood pressure instead. And the confusion is more like a lack of concentration, a bit of short-term memory malfunction (pretty mild, but usually noticable if you're looking for it), and there's an almost desperate NEED to get sugar.





You can get help from your doctor. The problem there is that the drugs they treat it with have side effects that can be even worse than the candida infection.

The best way to treat it is to start taking in only SMALL amounts of sugar when the craving is worst. Other than that, start tailoring your food so that you don't eat starches, don't eat sugars, etc. You want to get vegetables and meat, pretty much. No potatoes, no high glycemic foods. Keep something like a mint on you to eat when the craving is SO BAD, then just hold on and wait it out. After a couple of weeks, the cravings should ease... but they won't go away for probably about 4 to 6 MONTHS. After that, you can start to reintroduce starches into your food.

Sugar, on the other hand, should be something that you let go for good. A piece of pie on turkey day OR christmas won't kill you, but sugar should be a "special occassion ONLY" thing for the rest of your life.

And that's pretty much for everyone.

[laracroft1970]

amris i cannot belive this, i really enjoyed those threads you have just replied to penny and the others, im gob smacked what more can i say, thing is, i have all those symptoms you have just said, every one, when i try to cut out choc, or sugar, i get moody, headaches, all what you said,, i feel so bad and jittery , all i want to do apart from get the fix is sleep, my eyes go so heavy its unbearable, i just have to end up giving into the crave and dipping into the nutella jar also. im so glad i have just read these threads, see, i never knew what was wronge with me, when i had those feelings really i didnt, i just thought it was yeah a withdral, but didnt know it could effect me like that, now i know what it is, i am deffo going to go cold turkey starting form tommorow, can i ask a quick q thou why do i also have to cut out the potatoes and starches???????????????

[Amris]

amris i cannot belive this, i really enjoyed those threads you have just replied to penny and the others, im gob smacked what more can i say, thing is, i have all those symptoms you have just said, every one, when i try to cut out choc, or sugar, i get moody, headaches, all what you said,, i feel so bad and jittery , all i want to do apart from get the fix is sleep, my eyes go so heavy its unbearable, i just have to end up giving into the crave and dipping into the nutella jar also. im so glad i have just read these threads, see, i never knew what was wronge with me, when i had those feelings really i didnt, i just thought it was yeah a withdral, but didnt know it could effect me like that, now i know what it is, i am deffo going to go cold turkey starting form tommorow, can i ask a quick q thou why do i also have to cut out the potatoes and starches???????????????
Potatoes are starches, and starches turn into sugar in the bloodstream very quickly. This "feeds" the candida and slows down the removal of them from your blood stream.

[laracroft1970]

Potatoes are starches, and starches turn into sugar in the bloodstream very quickly. This "feeds" the candida and slows down the removal of them from your blood stream.

amris thank you for ans , now can i ask yet another lol, how long will it take to get all these side affects of sugar out of my body, and when will the tiredness stop ????????
thanks again

[Amris]

Usually the first couple of days will be, god, so very very rough. Almost unbearable. Then the first couple of weeks will be difficult, but bearable (sometimes barely). In the first month, you should start noticing a better mood. By the end of two months, you should not get tired in the afternoons like usual. Assuming you're eating 5 to 6 healthy meals per day.

By the end of 3 months, you will feel a remarkable difference, and by the end of 4 months, you should have what you consider "amazing" energy levels. After 6 months or so, you will be functioning on a level that "normal" sugar eating people think is "spastic" because you will have plenty of energy and will be focused and able to carry out tasks quickly and efficiently.



Just to give you an idea of the difference in energy level:

I am in my FIRST trimester of pregnancy, famous for being extremely fatiguing for women... and I have more energy than most of the women in my office. I am the only one who consumes no cafienne or sugar. Even still, while pregnant, I do not get tired mid-afternoon and want a nap. Almost every other woman (and a lot of the men) in the office do get very weary and unfocused in mid-afternoon.

When I was not pregnant, I had FAR more energy than they do. I can still run circles around them with how much work I get done. In fact, I sit and internet a lot because otherwise I get so much done that when they dump a bunch of work on me, I get overwhelmed. So I hold the "status quo" so that I don't get overburdened during certain times of the year.

[laracroft1970]

Usually the first couple of days will be, god, so very very rough. Almost unbearable. Then the first couple of weeks will be difficult, but bearable (sometimes barely). In the first month, you should start noticing a better mood. By the end of two months, you should not get tired in the afternoons like usual. Assuming you're eating 5 to 6 healthy meals per day.

By the end of 3 months, you will feel a remarkable difference, and by the end of 4 months, you should have what you consider "amazing" energy levels. After 6 months or so, you will be functioning on a level that "normal" sugar eating people think is "spastic" because you will have plenty of energy and will be focused and able to carry out tasks quickly and efficiently.



Just to give you an idea of the difference in energy level:

I am in my FIRST trimester of pregnancy, famous for being extremely fatiguing for women... and I have more energy than most of the women in my office. I am the only one who consumes no cafienne or sugar. Even still, while pregnant, I do not get tired mid-afternoon and want a nap. Almost every other woman (and a lot of the men) in the office do get very weary and unfocused in mid-afternoon.

When I was not pregnant, I had FAR more energy than they do. I can still run circles around them with how much work I get done. In fact, I sit and internet a lot because otherwise I get so much done that when they dump a bunch of work on me, I get overwhelmed. So I hold the "status quo" so that I don't get overburdened during certain times of the year.

amris, first may i say congrats on your pregnancy will this be your first child???? i do wish you all the best. and thanks again for ans ,my q , you are a very knowlegable person, are you a nutrtionist by any chance ??????? if not you deffo should be. so ill quit chock and sugar of all kind yeah and keep off it for good, except occaisons ????? oh and does this mean no more porridge in the morning, oh and a q on that too lol. if i have for examp just porridge in a morning most people say , it should keep you satisfied till afternoon, wht is it with me it doesnt, im starving by say 10am, now if for examp i just had 3 eggs white , or just anythink protine , i could go well past 12pm if i needed to but yet not if i had porridge,??????? at moment im having for breakfast porridge, spinage omlett, and a piece of fruit. so should i have no more porridge, untill a few months i have been off sugar , with my porridge i have a tea spoon of honey not sugar ????? again thank you amris for your replys x

[laracroft1970]

Usually the first couple of days will be, god, so very very rough. Almost unbearable. Then the first couple of weeks will be difficult, but bearable (sometimes barely). In the first month, you should start noticing a better mood. By the end of two months, you should not get tired in the afternoons like usual. Assuming you're eating 5 to 6 healthy meals per day.

By the end of 3 months, you will feel a remarkable difference, and by the end of 4 months, you should have what you consider "amazing" energy levels. After 6 months or so, you will be functioning on a level that "normal" sugar eating people think is "spastic" because you will have plenty of energy and will be focused and able to carry out tasks quickly and efficiently.



Just to give you an idea of the difference in energy level:

I am in my FIRST trimester of pregnancy, famous for being extremely fatiguing for women... and I have more energy than most of the women in my office. I am the only one who consumes no cafienne or sugar. Even still, while pregnant, I do not get tired mid-afternoon and want a nap. Almost every other woman (and a lot of the men) in the office do get very weary and unfocused in mid-afternoon.

When I was not pregnant, I had FAR more energy than they do. I can still run circles around them with how much work I get done. In fact, I sit and internet a lot because otherwise I get so much done that when they dump a bunch of work on me, I get overwhelmed. So I hold the "status quo" so that I don't get overburdened during certain times of the year.

amris, first may i say congrats on your pregnancy will this be your first child???? i do wish you all the best. and thanks again for ans ,my q , you are a very knowlegable person, are you a nutrtionist by any chance ??????? if not you deffo should be. so ill quit chock and sugar of all kind yeah and keep off it for good, except occaisons ????? oh and does this mean no more porridge in the morning, oh and a q on that too lol. if i have for examp just porridge in a morning most people say , it should keep you satisfied till afternoon, wht is it with me it doesnt, im starving by say 10am, now if for examp i just had 3 eggs white , or just anythink protine , i could go well past 12pm if i needed to but yet not if i had porridge,??????? at moment im having for breakfast porridge, spinage omlett, and a piece of fruit. so should i have no more porridge, untill a few months i have been off sugar , with my porridge i have a tea spoon of honey not sugar ????? again thank you amris for your replys x

[Amris]

You should eat every three hours. Don't ignore your body, if it says you're hungry, FEED IT! Get some nice nut mix and munch on that at 10 if you normally eat around 7 or 8 am and get hungry at 10. It's NORMAL and HEALTHY to get hungry every 3 hours. Embrace it as the sign of a rising metabolism!!

Yes, you could be retaining water. Cut back on the salt in your diet and see if it helps any. Are you taking any fish oil and flax seed?

No, I am not a nutritionist. I have spent the last... uh, 2 years now, researching, studying, and training myself on my own expense and my own time. When I set out to do something, I am one of those people that wants to it THE right way. And by god, I will do whatever it takes to find out what THE right way is.

No, no more porridge. Use oatmeal, because it contains some good slow release carbs AND protien. Which, by the way, is a better way to keep yourself from getting hungry again ahead of the 3 hour schedule. A mix of carb and protien will last longer digestively than just carbs.

I use oatmeal with a bit of cinnamon, some stevia (a sweetener that does NOT change your blood sugar- use it sparingly, 2 drops is AT LEAST as sweet as TEASPOON of sugar!), a sprinkle of nutmeg... and off I go. You can use a small number of raisins, too, though they are somewhat high glycemic index, they are too small to make much difference. Unless, of course, you are going to "cheat" at other times of the day, too.

Honey is better than sugar, but it's not acceptable while you are trying to get off of this candida infection- assuming you do have one. The only sweetener I would use personally would be stevia. I get a box of stevia that is in a little packet like sugar packets. It is mixed with inulin, which is fiber. That way I can have my decaf tea with a bit of "sugar" and get my fiber, too!

I'll look later at the box and tell you the manufacturer, you should be able to get some online. That way you can treat it just like a packet of sugar instead of trying to figure out the measurements.

[laracroft1970]

You should eat every three hours. Don't ignore your body, if it says you're hungry, FEED IT! Get some nice nut mix and munch on that at 10 if you normally eat around 7 or 8 am and get hungry at 10. It's NORMAL and HEALTHY to get hungry every 3 hours. Embrace it as the sign of a rising metabolism!!

Yes, you could be retaining water. Cut back on the salt in your diet and see if it helps any. Are you taking any fish oil and flax seed?

No, I am not a nutritionist. I have spent the last... uh, 2 years now, researching, studying, and training myself on my own expense and my own time. When I set out to do something, I am one of those people that wants to it THE right way. And by god, I will do whatever it takes to find out what THE right way is.

No, no more porridge. Use oatmeal, because it contains some good slow release carbs AND protien. Which, by the way, is a better way to keep yourself from getting hungry again ahead of the 3 hour schedule. A mix of carb and protien will last longer digestively than just carbs.

I use oatmeal with a bit of cinnamon, some stevia (a sweetener that does NOT change your blood sugar- use it sparingly, 2 drops is AT LEAST as sweet as TEASPOON of sugar!), a sprinkle of nutmeg... and off I go. You can use a small number of raisins, too, though they are somewhat high glycemic index, they are too small to make much difference. Unless, of course, you are going to "cheat" at other times of the day, too.

Honey is better than sugar, but it's not acceptable while you are trying to get off of this candida infection- assuming you do have one. The only sweetener I would use personally would be stevia. I get a box of stevia that is in a little packet like sugar packets. It is mixed with inulin, which is fiber. That way I can have my decaf tea with a bit of "sugar" and get my fiber, too!

I'll look later at the box and tell you the manufacturer, you should be able to get some online. That way you can treat it just like a packet of sugar instead of trying to figure out the measurements.

smiling at ya here amris, just love reading your replys so interesting and well expalined, can i ask yet another q lol , wots the diff between oatmeal and quaker ots ?????? and plz forgive my typo , spelling isnt my stronge point lol , again thank you so much for your replys

[Amris]

smiling at ya here amris, just love reading your replys so interesting and well expalined, can i ask yet another q lol , wots the diff between oatmeal and quaker ots ?????? and plz forgive my typo , spelling isnt my stronge point lol , again thank you so much for your replys
Nothing wrong with quaker oats, just don't use the flavored kinds. You're better off using the "old fashioned" ones that you have to make the night before or in a batch, because they contain more nutrients and are generally healthy. Quaker quick oats or something like that are okay and better than porridge, but not so good as old fashioned ones.

Quaker is just a brand name for oatmeal/oats. There are all different types of oats, some that are cut this way or that way or whatnot, some quick cooking, some slow cooking... Quaker makes pretty much all of them. :p

Just look for some "old fashioned" or look for "quick oats" if you just don't want to deal with it. Remembering that you're sacrificing some nutrition. Make up for it with good whole foods at other meals, and you should be okay, though.


One thing I forgot. I struggled with Candida blood infection myself. So that's also another reason I know so much about it. I'll be honest and say that the stuff the doc had me on made me horribly sick. I then studied to find holistic methods and took care of it myself. I was much happier, less sick feeling, and while it was slower, it was an excellent lifestyle change that was important and meaningful to me.

[imperfectly_lou]

Porridge IS oatmeal :) Porridge is the British and Australian term for it :)

Great advice Amris :)

[Amris]

Porridge IS oatmeal :) Porridge is the British and Australian term for it :)

Great advice Amris :)
Ohhh, where I grew up, porridge was grits. :eek:

[laracroft1970]

oh by the way amris, i started my no sugar diet today , and you know wot, already im feeling so tired, sitting here i could fall asleep, oh and is it ok to have bannanas, coz i just had 1 i needed it , eaither that or a choc bar lol
hope your well coleen

[Amris]

oh by the way amris, i started my no sugar diet today , and you know wot, already im feeling so tired, sitting here i could fall asleep, oh and is it ok to have bannanas, coz i just had 1 i needed it , eaither that or a choc bar lol
hope your well coleen
Like I said, have some SMALL bits of sugar. Don't get a chocolate bar, get a piece of fruit like you did. It will take help to get past these first couple of days, and the SMALLEST amount of sugar you can do it with is BEST.

But with no sugar, no offense, but you'll be unbearable to be around, and you'll be having serious problems and probably won't be able to stick with it at all.

So, yes, bananas are a great way to get that little bit of sugar when it's AT ITS WORST. Don't satisfy every craving, just when it's AT ITS WORST.

[gypsy]

I also today have started reducing my sugar intake, (no more dipping into the honey,nutella jar!)

Some great advice, it is interesting for me to see that I am not the only one like that, thought it was kind of weird i was always picking at sweet stuff. Thanks once again, and good luck to all the others reducing their sugar intake....

[laracroft1970]

thanks again amris, and hi to you gypsy, yes its nice to know im not alone too, i was doing great yesterday on my first day, but came last night and i had half an easter egg, it is just so hard, really the hardest thing i have ever had to do , and i had to have a bowl of porridge it was as if i went wild , dont know if i can do this, but will start again today wish me luck, x good luck gypsy

[gypsy]

You can do it! We both can do it, thanks for the support Laracroft, dont be hard on yourself it was your first day, my first day was pretty good, I guess we should take baby steps. Good luck once again!!

[Amris]

thanks again amris, and hi to you gypsy, yes its nice to know im not alone too, i was doing great yesterday on my first day, but came last night and i had half an easter egg, it is just so hard, really the hardest thing i have ever had to do , and i had to have a bowl of porridge it was as if i went wild , dont know if i can do this, but will start again today wish me luck, x good luck gypsy
Listen, don't let this defeat you.

What you're struggling against is a very powerful and painful thing. People don't realize how much it HURTS to have the chemical in your blood that dying candida releases.

You definitely can do it. Just don't let little setbacks deter you. Keep making sure that you only eat half, and be proud that you did that much! You didn't eat the whole thing!

It's okay that you ate porridge, at least you went nuts on that and not the candy. That's the lesser of two evils.

But something that will help you a lot is DO NOT HAVE IT AROUND. If you can't get to the chocolate, then you can't cheat. ;)

You need your family's help. Be honest with them, tell them how difficult it is for you, and ask them to please keep candy and other things out of the house for a month or so. Out of the car when you're in it. Let them know it's a short term thing until you're under better control of it, but make it clear that they NEED to do this to help you for your HEALTH.

The hardest part is saying no to the thing sitting in front of your face!




And listen. When you have these harsh, violent cravings, and you manage to control it by eating only a small bit, that's a WIN, not a loss. You need to look at it as a WIN that you reduced it. Because if you keep beating yourself up, you'll give up. Give credit where credit is due, but be honest about it. Don't let yourself "get away" with anything, but also don't let "backslides" or "slip ups" make you give up.

You CAN do it. Unless you give up... and that's a CHOICE.

[Feleshia]

I am doing some research on candida and I came across this
http://altmedicine.about.com/library/bl_quiz_candidaintro.htm, although it is still recommended you see a health care professional for more accurate results, its a place to start...

[Amris]

I am doing some research on candida and I came across this
http://altmedicine.about.com/library/bl_quiz_candidaintro.htm, although it is still recommended you see a health care professional for more accurate results, its a place to start...
This looks interesting, although expensive... but it might well be worth it over the long run: http://newlifevitamins.com/

[darkangel]

Here's a little quiz that may help you determine if you have a candida/yeast problem.

There are a lot of great books and cookbooks out there for candida sufferers. One of my favorites is Candida-Related Complex: What your doctor might be missing

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0878339353/sr=8-1/qid=1144776753/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-2802427-5719131?%5Fencoding=UTF8

[laracroft1970]

oh my i just looked at that book, no fruit for 2 years surley i havnt got to do that , aswell as cutting out all sugar and potatoes im never gonna do this, ok well gypsy, amris, i did it yesterday and you know i felt like crap, i had to go to bed at 6pm, and let hubby take over cooking the dinner for the kids, i carnt belive how this is making me feel really i arnt, and im going through the denile saying things like, ( oh i havnt got this candida thingy!!!!!! a bit of sugar or a potatoe aint gonna hurt me !!!!!!!! , suerly if my bodys craving it i need it, you know all that kinda stuff, do you have that too gypsy??????, please keep me informed of your progress it will really help me , i just carnt explain the hurting im getting and would never have thought it was from this candida, what i dont get is having to give up fruit , surley if this is about eating nature back to basics,fruit is that???????? and does that mean no more coffee too, without the sugar of course,??/?? please amris , gypsy stay with me on this journey i need you guys........

well im heading off to the gym now legs today but to be honest i dont wanna go i just wanna lay in bed, yes thats how hard im finding this.


oh and darkangle hi , that book looks good, apart from the no fruit lol, i shall get it, thanks .

good luck gypsy and hope your doing well .
coleen

[laracroft1970]

Here's a little quiz that may help you determine if you have a candida/yeast problem.

There are a lot of great books and cookbooks out there for candida sufferers. One of my favorites is Candida-Related Complex: What your doctor might be missing

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0878339353/sr=8-1/qid=1144776753/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-2802427-5719131?%5Fencoding=UTF8

hi darkangle i did send a reply but i dont know where it went lol, thanks for the tip on this book, it looks good, what i dont understand is, we are supposed to eat close to nature right ???? well why no fruit, surley i carnt do that , no potatoes, no fruit no sugar, im dying here truley i am its only my second day , and its killing me,???


amris, gypsy, plz stay with me on this jorney, i need you guys i do really i do, i had to go to bed a 6pm last night and leave hubby to sort dinner out for the kids, i was so run down and moody , this is the hardest thing i have had to do, im not sure if im gonna do it, really this should be on the tv along with the alcholics, and drugies, surely this is just as bad, for the side effects, i think im going insane here, i should be off to gym now to do legs but to be honest i dont wanna go, i wanna stay here get in bed and sulk, plz keep me informed of your progress gypsy i need to hear how your doing m which i hope is well.

ill post again later when i get back form gym i have to keep doing this to help me ok , love to you all coleen

[gypsy]

Oops! Just to let you know I slipped up yesterday, sugar in coffee, 2 teaspoons of honey straight from the jar, and it tasted so good too! My god i feel like a drug addict getting a fix!

Today I will try harder, but I think I will just reduce it gradually, too hard all at once....

Im with you Laracroft, just take it one step at a time, but it is really hard, that is for sure. It is defitnetly important to do this because I am sure that is one of the things that really hinders my weight loss.

Lets hope it gets better quickly!!!

[laracroft1970]

Oops! Just to let you know I slipped up yesterday, sugar in coffee, 2 teaspoons of honey straight from the jar, and it tasted so good too! My god i feel like a drug addict getting a fix!

Today I will try harder, but I think I will just reduce it gradually, too hard all at once....

Im with you Laracroft, just take it one step at a time, but it is really hard, that is for sure. It is defitnetly important to do this because I am sure that is one of the things that really hinders my weight loss.

Lets hope it gets better quickly!!!


gupsy plzz keep going , wot are ur sts gypsy and wot is your goal, mine are 5ft3 / 126lbs want to lose 14lbs as i have a lot of cellulite, and i wasnt to get really cut, how about you ?????? keep it up im doing better today so far

[Amris]

Listen, I KNOW how hard this is, Lara. Believe me on this. You're doing great, the first days are the hardest, hang in there!

OF COURSE you feel like a drug addict coming off of a drug... you've got exactly those symptoms!

Fruit is a problem because they are "simple sugars" that metabolize almost immediately into pure sugar and enter your bloodstream as such.

Eating close to nature means as raw as you can manage. Try to avoid things that "denature" the food, like drying, freezing, canning, cooking, processing, etc. Raw foods are your best bet- many of those methods of preparing food destroy nutrients, as well as break down the sugar for faster absorption.

Trust me, I KNOW what you are going through! I am here, not going anywhere at all.

You can do this! Believe me, you CAN. Hang in there!

[laracroft1970]

Listen, I KNOW how hard this is, Lara. Believe me on this. You're doing great, the first days are the hardest, hang in there!

OF COURSE you feel like a drug addict coming off of a drug... you've got exactly those symptoms!

Fruit is a problem because they are "simple sugars" that metabolize almost immediately into pure sugar and enter your bloodstream as such.

Eating close to nature means as raw as you can manage. Try to avoid things that "denature" the food, like drying, freezing, canning, cooking, processing, etc. Raw foods are your best bet- many of those methods of preparing food destroy nutrients, as well as break down the sugar for faster absorption.

Trust me, I KNOW what you are going through! I am here, not going anywhere at all.

You can do this! Believe me, you CAN. Hang in there!

thanks amris its good to know you are here so carnt i have any fruit, if i can what fruits can i have ?????????

[Miranda]

Fruit is a problem because they are "simple sugars" that metabolize almost immediately into pure sugar and enter your bloodstream as such.

Fructose is a natural sweetener found in honey, fruits, berries, and vegetables. Fructose is among the most commonly consumed simple sugars-along with glucose (found in candy, gum, jams) and sucrose (table sugar). For example, an apple contains an average of 15 to 20 grams of sugar, the majority of which is fructose.1 With regard to taste, fructose is approximately 1.7 times sweeter than sucrose and 2.3 times sweeter than glucose. Because fructose is sweeter than sucrose or glucose, less fructose is required for the same sweetness effect.

Although fructose is a simple sugar, like glucose, and is part of the sucrose molecule (sucrose is composed of glucose and fructose bonded together), its glycemic index (01) is much lower than those of glucose or sucrose. In fact, fructose is known to have the lowest 01 of any of the sugars, and little or no increase in blood sugar is noted after ingestion of large amounts of fructose.2 This fact has led to the promotion of fructose as the preferred sugar source for diabetics.3

Fructose is primarily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract through a facilitated transport process, which results in a slower and less effective absorption than glucose.2 However, fructose absorption is increased in the presence of glucose, possibly due to the ability of glucose to influence or alter intestinal permeability.4 And sucrose is broken down to glucose and fructose during digestion. Less fructose, therefore, may be absorbed when it is used as the primary or exclusive sweetener than when it is used in the form of sucrose. Furthermore, in humans fructose is converted into glycogen--a process that requires energy and prevents fructose from reaching direct circulation.2,4 This is another reason consumption of fructose does not significantly increase blood sugar levels.

A recent trial demonstrated that no increase is seen in blood glucose after ingestion of fructose at 15 grams or less.5 This lowered glycemic response with fructose ingestion appeared to be most effective in those individuals who had the poorest glucose tolerance profiles. 5,6 In non-diabetic individuals, fructose consumption results in little to no discernable rise in blood insulin levels.3 Research suggests that fructose is approximately 30% less potent than glucose at promoting insulin secretion in individuals with insulin dysregulation.

Consumption of fructose along with glucose has been shown in several studies to beneficially influence the level of blood glucose as well. For example, ingestion of a high dose of fructose (50 grams) led to only a modest increase in blood fructose, glucose, and insulin levels after a bolus glucose dose in one study.5 Another study demonstrated that 7.5 grams of fructose significantly lessened the glucose peak after a 75-gram glucose load in both healthy and type 2 diabetic adults and researchers determined that this effect was not a result of stimulation of insulin secretion.7 Furthermore, in a human clinical trial, 13 patients with type 2 diabetes were instructed to consume either the standard American Dietetic Association (ADA) diet or the standard ADA diet plus 60 grams of fructose per day for 6 months. Consumption of fructose was associated with a significant decrease in both serum glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting blood sugar levels.8

Although fructose has been shown to have many benefits in comparison to glucose or sucrose, it is nevertheless a sugar and people with sensitivities to sugars, such as insulin-deficient individuals, should carefully monitor their total sugar intake. As one scientific review points out, most human studies have shown conflicting results-partly because of heterogeneity of design and/or high intakes of dietary sucrose or fructose.9 For instance, some human studies have shown an increase in serum triglyceride levels after fructose consumption. It is important to keep in mind, however, that participants in these studies are commonly instructed to consume one-serving doses of 50 grams of fructose or more in addition to a high-fat intake. 10 Therefore, the ability of fructose to promote insulin deficiency has not been clearly shown, and most recent clinical trials performed to clarify the role of fructose have shown that it improves both glucose and insulin peaks induced by other sugars. In addition, fructose alone appears to result in little or no increase in blood sugar and insulin levels.

Since many factors can influence the blood sugar and insulin responses, the best course of action for individuals that are sensitive to sugars, such as patients with insulin resistance, is to choose products that have been tested and shown to have a low GI response. This is especially important since the GI of a food tests the effects of the entire food, not just one component. Therefore, GI of a food is a direct and more reliable marker for glycemic response of the food in an individual than are theoretical calculations based on content of various sugars.

In summary:
Fructose is the main sweetener found in honey, fruits, berries, and vegetables.

Fructose is a natural, low glycemic index (GI) simple sugar with a high sweetness profile.

Fructose is absorbed by the body through a facilitated transport process, which leads to a slower and decreased level of absorption than that observed for glucose.

Fructose does not increase blood sugar after normal levels of consumption, and only modestly increases it after a large bolus dose (approximately 50 grams).

Fructose is not transported directly into the bloodstream after digestion and absorption, but is converted into glycogen in the liver where it is stored and used for energy at a later time.

REFERENCES

Ensminger AH, Ensminger ME, Konlande JE, et al. Foods and Nutrition Encyclopedia. Clovis , CA : Pegas Press; 1983.

Mann JI. Simple sugars and diabetes. Diabet Med 1987;4(2):135-39.

Uusitupa MIJ. Fructose in the diabetic diet. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;59(3 Suppl):S753-S57. 4.

Shi X, Schedl HP, Summers RM, et at. Fructose transport mechanisms in humans. Gastroenterology 1997;113(4):1171-79.

Moore MC, Cherrington AD, Mann SL, et at. Acute & fructose administration decreases the glycemic response to an oral glucose tolerance test in normal adults. J Clm Endocrinol Metab 2000;85(12):4515-19.

Nuttall FQ, Khan MA, Gannon MC. Peripheral glucose appearance rate following fructose ingestion in normal subjects. Metabolism 2000;49(12):1565-71.

Moore MC, Mann SL, Davis SN, et at. Acute fructose administration improves oral glucose tolerance in adults with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2001;24(11):1882-87.

Osei K, Bossetti B. Dietary fructose as a natural sweetener in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes: a 12-month crossover study of effects on glucose, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein metabolism. Diabet Med 1989;6(6):506-11.

Daly ME, Vale C, Walker M, et al. Dietary carbohydrates and insulin sensitivity: a review ofthe evidence and clinical implications. Am J Clin Nutr 1997;66(5):1072-85.

Jeppesen J, Chen YI, Zhou MY, et at. Postprandial triglyceride and retinyl ester responses to oral fat:

[darkangel]

There's a lot of controversy over fruit. The simplest way to put it is fruits are probably the lesser of the sugary evils, so if you must have something sweet, that would be the best choice. It's my understanding the fiber in the fruit helps slow down the absorption of the sugar. For this reason, fruit juices are forbidden because you get all of the sugar with no fiber. Also, some fruits are less of a problem than others. Berries are generally preferred over other fruits, but there's alot of conflicting information out there. Bottom line is you have to experiment and see what works for you.

Dr. William Crook is the grandfather of the whole candida/yeast awareness movement. You may find his site and/or some of his books worth looking over. If you hit the link below, scroll down and click "grocery list," you'll get a generally-accepted list of good and bad foods...

http://www.yeastconnection.com/fighting_diet.html

[Miranda]

Dr. William Crook is the grandfather of the whole candida/yeast awareness movement. You may find his site and/or some of his books worth looking over. If you hit the link below, scroll down and click "grocery list," you'll get a generally-accepted list of good and bad foods...

http://www.yeastconnection.com/fighting_diet.html

hmm...it lists carrots and onions as low-carb veggies?

[darkangel]

hmm...it lists carrots and onions as low-carb veggies?

Yeah, there's lots of contradictory info out there. I eat cooked carrots quite a bit and they don't seem to bother me, although some sources forbid them.

[laracroft1970]

hey my mums a diabetic, and we were just talking about what i carnt have and what i can have (which isnt alot,) but she has just said to me what about diabetic sweets carnt you eat them when u feel the need for a treat as they havnt any sugar in them , what do you all think ??????????????????? thought ide come here and ask you lot first before i go and raid the diabetic sweet shop lol , but seriously can you get back to me on this one would be interesting . thanks

[darkangel]

Answered this in your other post. Don't forget, most candida diets will allow small amounts of certain fruits.

[laracroft1970]

Answered this in your other post. Don't forget, most candida diets will allow small amounts of certain fruits.
thanks dark angle i got other post , do you know what fruits im allowed to have ??????

[darkangel]

thanks dark angle i got other post , do you know what fruits im allowed to have ??????

You're going to get different answers and different lists from various sources. All I can say is try different kinds and see if they affect you... and eat them very sparingly. Berries may be the best place to start. There is a general agreement to avoid dried fruits - like raisins - because the sugar is more concentrated.

Candida-related complex is a very difficult condition and there's alot of confusing, contradictory information out there. My best advice is browse thru some candida books and cookbooks at your local bookstore, surf the web and see what you can learn. If you find a book/cookbook you really like with recipes that appeal to you, give it a shot.

Keep in mind, too, that dietary changes alone may not completely solve the problem for you. Depends on how long you've been sick or had symptoms. Did you take the quiz? If so, what was your score? Most of us suffer a long time with seemingly unrelated complaints before we figure out what's going on. There are a lot of natural antifungals available at healthfood stores. Or a doctor can prescribe an antifungal. Nystatin is the most commonly prescribed medication and considered to be about the safest drug on the market. If you choose to go this route, you'll want to find a doctor in your area who understands and treats candida.

[Amris]

Blueberries are great. They are an antioxidant powerhouse!