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Dieting & exercise

Reducing sugar intake

(224 Posts)
NanKate Sun 08-May-16 08:02:37

I am shortly going to have a rethink about my diet and cut back pretty drastically on sugar. I eat sensibly already and am only slightly overweight but realise there are many hidden sugars in what I eat.

Two questions. Can you recommend any BASIC books on diet and sugar, I am not a great cook and can't be bothered with fiddly recipes ?

Secondly suggest any low sugar to buy or bake that are low sugar ? I do like one biccy with my coffee or tea.

NanKate Wed 18-May-16 12:48:32

I really do feel better Anya on less sugar,this has really surprised me.

NanKate Wed 18-May-16 12:47:01

I don't intend giving up cake altogether Jing when I go to our WI Elegant Cream Tea next week to celebrate her maj, I will have half of what I would have normally scoffed and go back to being careful the next day.

Don't worry Shysal when my appetite returns,when I have sorted out the oral thrush,I won't be eating quite so frugally. I am not counting any calories just eating smaller and MORE meals, seems to be working well.

Anya Wed 18-May-16 12:42:39

jingl I hesitate to post on this thread but can I just say, your views are too very well known on this subject. No one is saying you have to cut back your cake consumption or your marmalade butty habit.
It feels like you have a hidden agenda to dissuade people from attempting to cut down on sugars.

I'm beginning to think you have a major share holding in Tate & Lyle hmm

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 18-May-16 12:18:23

I think we have to keep the needs of people with health issues separate from those without. No need to completely demonise sugar, otherwise we will all have to sue the Beeb for putting on Bake-off. And never have another cake stall at a Summer fete. shock

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 18-May-16 12:12:23

(Sorry Nankate! blush)

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 18-May-16 12:11:41

Well, everyone must be differed then. Nothing like a bit of choccie or a slice of cake to raise my spirits. And I never get that slump afterwards that 'they' talk about.

sarahc446655 Wed 18-May-16 11:57:24

Sugar is habit forming - just like not having sugar becomes a habit when you give it up. You cannot know how bad sugar and other rubbish makes you feel unless you do give it up. Speaking from experience and the effect of sugar on the brain - changing your mood - (into doom and gloom) and more scarey I was not immediately aware it was the sugar and blamed other things, no matter how often this has happened to me in the past.
This is similar to an experience I heard about from a diabetic, that when they were having a hypo episode and their daughter tried to ring for help, her mother the diabetic, would try to stop her.

shysal Wed 18-May-16 11:37:41

NanKate, I hope you will also be raring to go for the earlier plans in June. Have fun!
Don't go too mad with the weight loss, you will need some reserves!

NanKate Wed 18-May-16 11:21:41

Yes Anya feeling a lot more chipper today and love the feeling of loose clothes.

So pleased Shysal you are sorted for your 70th celebration. I should be raring to go when I celebrate mine in September.

Will check out soup makers.

Anya Wed 18-May-16 09:45:22

Well done on the loose trousers NanKate grin

shysal Wed 18-May-16 08:17:59

I agree about the soup maker. I used to use a pan, and thought nothing could be simpler, but the machine is fantastic. DD got me a Morphy Richards, not the one currently on offer, from groupon. I have to chop the veg, but into large chunks, which the maker whizzes to the consistency needed. There will be extra carb and sugar in the stock you choose, but will be a tiny amount only (I use Knorr stock pots).

Incidentally, NanKate, DD found a 50% deal on afternoon teas for my birthday on the Groupon site, the venue is a secret!. There are some fantastic deals on goods and events, she uses it all the time.

Riverwalk Wed 18-May-16 06:58:38

NanKate you could buy a soup-maker. I don't have one but a number of GNetters do - the really fancy ones apparently even chop the vegetables for you!

NanKate Wed 18-May-16 06:42:46

More info required pleased.

Can anyone recommend a shop bought soup not to high in sugar? I really am not a cook and think it is too late now at 69 to start chopping veg etc. The answer could well be No and I will sample other things I fancy.

Going to buy that Yeo yog today Jing also an avocado and prawns.

I realise now how much sugar I must have eaten, no wonder my trousers are loose smile

NanKate Tue 17-May-16 19:43:02

Thanks for the hug Jing I needed that.

NanKate Tue 17-May-16 19:42:14

Thanks all for your kind comments. Yes Jane you are right its usual length is about 2 years, sometimes earlier and sometimes later, so there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel

Off for an early night, a bit of telly and my feet on a nice warm hottie.

smile

janeainsworth Tue 17-May-16 18:51:38

kate I can only echo what shysal said. It is a shock to find we are vulnerable physically and emotionally, but it sounds as though you're doing your very best to reduce the risk of diabetes and you should be proud of yourself for taking such a proactive and positive attitude.
I don't know much about polymyalgia rheumatica, but I gather that sometimes it spontaneously resolves after a period of time. I hope that happens with you. flowers

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 17-May-16 18:38:42

So here is a suitable link smile

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 17-May-16 18:34:11

I don't know why the word 'hug' blued itself. It is not a link. hmm

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 17-May-16 18:32:56

Nankate I can understand how you want to reduce your sugar intake because of the steroids you are having to take. That's a very sensible thing to do. . The thing is, the thread title just refers to "reducing sugar intake", so not everyone will know you have a special reason to want to do this.

For people with no such health problems, maybe quite such drastic measures as you need, would not have to be employed.

I do hope things look up for you soon, healthwise. It is completely understandable that this is getting you down. Our state of health affects our whole life. flowers and hug

GandTea Tue 17-May-16 18:17:41

Janeainsworth. Thanks for pointing out about sweeteners, I should have said that rather than just reduce sugar to re-educate your taste bud, you need to reduce all sweeteners, trying to cut them out altogether in most things.

NanKate Tue 17-May-16 17:40:07

Thanks Shysal I really appreciate your kind words.

I want to avoid this talk of illness as I am worried I am becoming a health bore. I am usually the sort of person who keeps other people's spirits up, it's odd the other way round.

shysal Tue 17-May-16 16:34:28

Sorry you are having a wobble NanKate. I am sure the pain, diagnosis, and worry about steroids have been a shock to the system. I hope you will soon be back to your normal positive self. flowers but not cupcake. smile

NanKate Tue 17-May-16 15:08:31

JaneA to answer your question about my reduction in sugar/carbs here is a very short version of the last month.

I have been diagnosed with Polymialgia and put onto steroids. On reading up on steroids I saw I was highly likely to become diabetic too as a side effect. I am only at present a few pounds overweight and am determined to keep my weight down on these tablets, with my doctor's approval.

So I have, with the help of Gransnetters and various websites reduced my sugar, carbs and increased my veg and improved my general eating habits.

I was interested to see that Jenty mentioned thrush! because I have had oral thrush for over 3 weeks and to be honest the prescribed medicine does not appear to be working.

On the whole I am a pretty positive person who is prepared to take responsibility for myself, but have to admit I am feeling wobbly. I met a friend in the town today who asked how I was and the tears just came. I think I am just a bit over emotional today.

As soon as I can I am going for a walk, now that my legs are working again, as it really bucks me up.

I feel ashamed of being so self indulgent when I do not have a life threatening illness, I think I need a kick up the b** and to count my blessings.

That's the short version. grin

Jenty61 Tue 17-May-16 14:04:39

thanks jinglbellfrocks will try some of that...??

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 17-May-16 14:01:07

this one

They've started doing it in individual cartons now too. Lovely with a few raspberries or blueberries added.