Training the Brain to Eat Less Sugar • Hacker News Board

Re: Training the Brain to Eat Less Sugar

#41

Post by msiyer » Thu, May 09, 2019, 11:23 AM UTC

tpm wrote: post #38

msiyer wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I eat a huge variety - fruits, melons, berries... Just curious, what do you think I would be missing?

Fats and proteins (unless you also consume a huge amount of nuts and/or legumes). I think it's quite obvious when you look up the nutritional content of fruits you eat and compare that with recommended daily intake of various nutrients.

Fats and proteins are available in fruits. I eat legumes occasionally and nuts etc. very rarely.

The funniest thing is, once your system is reset, many foods that seem OK cause troubles.

I could eat a lot of onions and garlic in the past. Now, they trouble me a lot.

Re: Training the Brain to Eat Less Sugar

#42

Post by osrec » Thu, May 09, 2019, 11:23 AM UTC

msiyer wrote: post #39

osrec wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Protein?

Not at all. All the protein a human needs can be sourced from plants and in huge quantities. Even grass has enough protein to help an elephant grow to ~1.5 tonnes.

But from mainly fruits? I think that would be rather difficult.

Re: Training the Brain to Eat Less Sugar

#43

Post by kasa » Thu, May 09, 2019, 11:23 AM UTC

louthy wrote: post #25

I have a super sweet tooth and have become more and more concerned about it as I get older. One thing that I am really bad at is any kind of conscious diet or regime, I am just not regimented with anything really. So, I tried the big-bang and did a 4 day fast - my theory being, well, treat it like a drug addiction and go 'cold turkey'. It worked. I massively cut down on my sugar intake because I didn't feel like I ne…

At least for me, it's hard to control sugar intake.

So, it is easier to not eat than to eat small amounts.

Fasting is hard because of your cravings for food and social pressure. But I highly recommend at least a try.

Re: Training the Brain to Eat Less Sugar

#44

Post by seanmcdirmid » Thu, May 09, 2019, 11:24 AM UTC

msiyer wrote: post #29

louthy wrote: post #25

I have a super sweet tooth and have become more and more concerned about it as I get older. One thing that I am really bad at is any kind of conscious diet or regime, I am just not regimented with anything really. So, I tried the big-bang and did a 4 day fast - my theory being, well, treat it like a drug addiction and go 'cold turkey'. It worked. I massively cut down on my sugar intake because I didn't feel like I ne…

Try satiating your "refined sugars craving" with fruits. Not juice, but whole fruits. Taste will reset itself within a week. This has been my personal experience.

There are also a plethora of sugar free or low sugar processed foods to look into. Some of them use sugar alcohols or some artificial sweetener that might have some adverse effects, but they are fairly effective as a better substitute when you are otherwise craving a candy bar or a mocha.

Fruits, some are better than others, depending on how much fiber they have.

Re: Training the Brain to Eat Less Sugar

#45

Post by lake99 » Thu, May 09, 2019, 11:25 AM UTC

msiyer wrote: post #33

senux wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While you're right about sugars, a diet that consists mostly of fruits can't be nutrient complete and therefore is not really good for you.

I eat a huge variety - fruits, melons, berries... Just curious, what do you think I would be missing?

Get evidence from blood tests. Without knowing the details, it is hard to guess. Vitamin B12 deficiency is common.

Re: Training the Brain to Eat Less Sugar

#46

Post by m_mueller » Thu, May 09, 2019, 11:25 AM UTC

msiyer wrote: post #33

senux wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While you're right about sugars, a diet that consists mostly of fruits can't be nutrient complete and therefore is not really good for you.

I eat a huge variety - fruits, melons, berries... Just curious, what do you think I would be missing?

others here are not wrong about fats, but I think what can especially hurt you is iron and vitamin B12. These deficiencies can stay hidden until they hit you. Look up symptoms. I'd therefore use suplements in your place or at least get blood checks done regularly.

Re: Training the Brain to Eat Less Sugar

#47

Post by tpm » Thu, May 09, 2019, 11:26 AM UTC

msiyer wrote: post #41

tpm wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Fats and proteins (unless you also consume a huge amount of nuts and/or legumes). I think it's quite obvious when you look up the nutritional content of fruits you eat and compare that with recommended daily intake of various nutrients.

Fats and proteins are available in fruits. I eat legumes occasionally and nuts etc. very rarely. The funniest thing is, once your system is reset, many foods that seem OK cause troubles. I could eat a lot of onions and garlic in the past. Now, they trouble me a lot.

Which fruits in your diet are rich in fats and proteins?

Re: Training the Brain to Eat Less Sugar

#48

Post by msiyer » Thu, May 09, 2019, 11:28 AM UTC

seanmcdirmid wrote: post #44

msiyer wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Try satiating your "refined sugars craving" with fruits. Not juice, but whole fruits. Taste will reset itself within a week. This has been my personal experience.

There are also a plethora of sugar free or low sugar processed foods to look into. Some of them use sugar alcohols or some artificial sweetener that might have some adverse effects, but they are fairly effective as a better substitute when you are otherwise craving a candy bar or a mocha. Fruits, some are better than others, depending on how much fiber they have.

Please stay away from artificial sugars. We have no idea what diseases they might be causing.

Re: Training the Brain to Eat Less Sugar

#49

Post by tpm » Thu, May 09, 2019, 11:28 AM UTC

msiyer wrote: post #39

osrec wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Protein?

Not at all. All the protein a human needs can be sourced from plants and in huge quantities. Even grass has enough protein to help an elephant grow to ~1.5 tonnes.

Yes, but grass is not fruit and also protein from grass is useless for human nutrition (it would be quite the nutritional revolution if it was somehow made bioavailable for humans).

Re: Training the Brain to Eat Less Sugar

#50

Post by thrower123 » Thu, May 09, 2019, 11:32 AM UTC

msiyer wrote: post #24

chriselles wrote: post #16

I’ve cut sugar out of my diet almost completely(bar trace amounts and the rare cheat treat). 23kg loss sustained over 16 months on a modified keto diet. Cutting out sugar has been a game changer for me.

I eat mostly fruits, very little vegetables and cooked grains. I have lost 10+ kgs in the past 6 months. I was not obese, but could lose some weight. Refined sugars are detrimental for health. Whole fruits and their sugars are great!

Red meat, eggs and green vegetables is always my goto to lose weight. It's easy, because it's just cutting out the rice, pasta, potatoes or bread from what I would eat anyway.