The FastDay Forum

They say eat what you want on feeding days. I count my calories and I often find the sugar (not carbohydrate) is too high. I do like my chocolate and it's great that we can enjoy those on 5:2. Do you know how much is your sugar intake? Does it matter? I like eating a bit of everything it makes me happy

I've found that it doesn't matter so much for my weight loss (so far) where my calories come from but I have been cutting down on sugar for other health reasons. The series that's linked on this site, The Men Who Made Us Fat, was an eyeopener for me. Wish I didn't love lindt chocolate bunnies so much...

I started 5:2 as a major sugar addict. I did not think I could survive a day without chocolate. I regularly had a sweet snack at least twice a day. One of the amazing things about this 5:2 is that my cravings are significantly reduced even on feed days. I really notice that I almost forget my afternoon need for sugary snacks. I have found my energy is much more even and consistent with less sweets. That being said, I still indulge here and there on feed days. It's just not as "automatic" for me now. (I've only been doing this since March 1st!)

I also have become hugely sugar-aware and checking food labels shows the extraordinary places it pops up. I have a spoon-end of honey in hot drinks on feed days, none on fast days and no sugar if out. Rather have a little natural sweet goodness than cellulose.
Just eaten a breakfast, something I only do occasionally now but it's mighty cold here, having avacado on seeded toast. It was delicious. Also taking supplements of cod liver oil and vitamin D to strengthen immunity. Pip pip.

Well, I must I must slow down on sugar and chocolate bars. At the beginning I felt like eating mostly healthy food but it's been a few weeks now that I jump on the occasion that it's normal feeding days so I can have what I want as long as I stay in my TDEE allowance but I don't think I'm doing myself a favour.. I'm gonna make an effort from tomorrow. I don't think I lost much this week. Been stuck at home doesn't help. Babes have been unwell.Missing my walk. Soon back to it.

The Men Who Made Us Fat

I must watch that

I couldn't do without my chocolate either, Pashcaline! I try not to have too much, just a few squares in the evening, but I don't have a dessert with meals usually. If I buy a cake I won't have lunch on non fast days. I don't like 'banning' anything, so just try and balance out everything. Hope your babies are better soon!

Hi Pashcaline, if you log your foods on MyFitnessPal you can see how much sugar you are having - and it gives you a goal based on your overall calorie intake. I use very little sugar in baking, don't take it in drinks, make nearly all my meals from scratch and am limiting my intake of biscuits or chocolate to just a couple a week. Despite that, my sugar intake is often quite a bit higher than the recommended level on normal days, mostly from the natural sugars in fruit and vegetables. Overall it is better for us to keep our sugar intake down, but as you say, a little makes you happy! Honey, maple syrup and unrefined sugar are better than refined white.

I stopped drinking fizzy drinks and sugared coffee and tea as a teenager. Since then, I like my foods (including cakes and cookies) a lot less sweet than most other people I know. As in salt, it's partially a habit. But I love chocolate! I usually eat dark chocolate (70% or more), it's not as sweet and cloying as milk chocolate, and I feel satisfied after a few bit(e)s.

Me too, coffeecat, gave up sugary drinks when I was about 16. The really dark chocolate is for me and as you say, just a little is all that you need. Only downside of having given up sugar so long ago, is that now there is precious little left to cut out when you want to lose weight!

Thank you, it's so good to hear your we're together.

What's funny it's I was just about to say I'm watching my sugar intake (30 to 39gr a day)not counting the fruits though. I am over 60 gr ish with 4 fruits but I've read and been told that I shouldn't worry about them because they are full of fiber (can we eat too much fiber? I am over 14gr). If you want you can add me on MFP pascalinehumphrys...what's funny it's that I just got a hotel chocolat box through my letter box. I can tell you I can't wait to open it. Really, in my 39gr of daily sugar there's a 13gr of choc so no problem

I've given up sugar for Lent. Fasting has made it easier to do somehow. I can tell the difference between hunger and mid-morning/mid-afternoon boredom, which is when my refined sugar intake is usually highest. I crave real food now.

Can't wait for Easter though - chocolate eggs and the mother-in-law's Simmel cake. All guilt free!

Can't wait for Easter though - chocolate eggs and the mother-in-law's Simmel cake. All guilt free!

Akkkkkk.... I can't wait until Easter is over and the Cadbury Creme Eggs stop ambushing me in supermarkets (I swear they jump into my basket when I'm not looking). But then, it won't be long before they reappear as Screme Eggs for Halloween.

Creme eggs? Bleurgh, you can have mine.

Simnel cake, though...mmmmm

I too am a low sugar eater,I don't count grams but I do look at the sugar content in everything. Still doing it now I'm on 5:2 and I only eat low GI fruit usually just berries. Wish I knew 20 years ago what I now know about food, its only the past couple of years I have re-educated myself.Thanks to people like Dr.Mosely and the Men who made us fat programmes should be more of them I say.