Question about sugar... - ThinnerTimes

LoriAnn925 · 02-26-2007, 09:58 AM

Ok, I have a question about sugar... I have steadfastly stayed away from using real sugar in anything. I currently use sweet & low or splenda depending on what I'm drinking. I'm actually scared to try sugar in anything... both from fear of dumping, and fear of NOT dumping. (how ironic huh?)

Anyway, I've noticed that a lot of long time members actually use sugar, or get the full sugar syrup added into their coffee, and I'm wondering at what point were you brave enough to try it? Prior to this surgery, I avoided sugar substitues as I preferred to keep as many chemicals out of my body as possible.

I just hit my 5 month point, and the honeymoon stage is still going strong, so I don't want to do anything to jepordize that.

cnvh · 02-26-2007, 10:21 AM

I am only about 3 months out, and I've had "real" sugar products a couple of times... aslthough in tiny, tiny quantities. a couple of times I had about 1/4 tsp. in a cup of tea (didn't have any Splenda on hand), and a few weeks ago I had a tiny-- TINY-- piece of a cake I had made for an office party.

The sugar in the tea was no problem, but the cake... oh man... the piece was about 1/2 x 1 inch, maybe 2 small bites-- and within 5 minutes I was in the bathroom with diarrhea. So, no sweets for me for a while, a LONG while...

Although I can totally relate to you; I worry not that I WILL dump, but that I WON'T dump. So far (aside from that one cake incident, and milk immediately after surgery), no food items have given me any problem so long as I chew them enough-- beef has been fine (even had a bite of a steak, though usually I have ground beef), as has any other kind of meat, whole grains, dairy, eggs, etc. I'm not cleared for fresh veggies until 3 months, so hopefully that will be OK too... But my biggest weakness isn't candy or sugary drinks or fatty food, as much as it is BAKED GOODS, like cakes, cookies, muffins, etc... I know that if I have some and DON'T dump, I'll be finished.

But seriously, WHY have sugar if you don't have to? I must say, I never had Splenda until after surgery, and I am really impressed-- I used to be very finisky about sugar substitutes, and I really can't taste a difference in Splenda. I'm experimenting here and there with baking with it, and cutting the fats/increasing the grains in recipes, and so far-so good...

So instead of wondering when you can go back to sugar, why not just make a commitment NOW to find alternatives that you can live with? There's no point in going back to sugar if you don't have to...

kittens4 · 02-26-2007, 06:36 PM

I had a coffee light decaf frap from Starbucks this morning, which has sugar, I had just a small one..and it was fine. Took me 2 hours to drink it! I took it real slow, just incase there was trouble! I haven't had any sugar other than that. I stick to no sugar added cocoa or CIB..that's about it. For snacks I am addicted to goldfish! (crackers that is)! I also love wheat thins! I keep losing every week, so even with my goldfish, I guess it's okay! I usually get the iced decaf/nonfat/sugar free vanilla latte' from Starbucks..but decided to try the frap today. I won't make a habit of it though. I like the iced latte' better. It's just so nice to be able to have a tiny bit of something good and be satisfied with it. It just amazes me!!!

VanessaSFL · 02-26-2007, 08:46 PM

I am almost two years out.I have struggled since day one with eating and for the most part I have never graduated to Real Solids.(Yes my labs are great ,except for Iron)

In my situation,I found that sugar gave me NO PROBLEMS what so ever...on the same note...I would pick meat over anything with sugar in a heartbeat if I could tolerate meat.Understand?

IMO...and my surgeons ...anything and everything in moderation.

But avoid it if your doing good...I was desperate to find something that stayed down and thats how I learned that sugar and my pouch were still friends.

Best wishes~

V

LoriAnn925 · 02-27-2007, 07:30 AM

Thanks everyone. Its not that I want to go out and start eating lots of sugar filled products... The reason I actually asked is because my inlaws are moving back into town in another 2-3 months, and they don't know about the surgery. The custom at their house is to have tea after dinner and I'm trying to figure out if I should bring my own sweetner for it and have to explain, or if I will be able to tolerate one cup of tea with sugar once or twice a month.

Van - If I were in your situation I would have been trying everything I could to see what settled in my pouch, too. Hopefully one day your pouch won't be so picky, and you can get on more solid foods. I have been very lucky and very little problems with my pouch tolerating foods.

LisaM · 02-27-2007, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoriAnn925

The custom at their house is to have tea after dinner and I'm trying to figure out if I should bring my own sweetner for it and have to explain, or if I will be able to tolerate one cup of tea with sugar once or twice a month.

Just tell them you've dropped sugar for your health, and use your sweetener... they don't have to know the full reason... IMHO...

LisaBoston · 02-27-2007, 11:15 AM

There is sugar hidden in many things. I have yet to put a teaspoon of real sugar on anything. I don't think my body needs it, so I don't eat it. I can tolerate ketchup, bbq sauce and some sugar alcohols in moderation. Products that say no sugar added does not mean "no sugar".

So I live my life reading labels and making good choices. If people offer me sugary things, I tell them I have a sensitivity to sugar....usually they ask if I am diabetic, I say no, just sugar sensitive.

I very seldom have fat free items as they tend of add in more sugar to compensate, low sugar items tend to have more fat in them.

I too am always leary of sugar and having it. If I have to question having something, then I usually don't need it. Its a real head game, one of which I am still learning. In reality, starchy carbs pose more of an issue to me - white rice, white pasta, regular tortilla's - I stay away from as they make me mini-dump every time! Sushi rice, brown rice, brown pasta or low carb wraps are fine in small amounts eaten with protein.

We are all so different in what makes us dump. And then there are little pouchies like Van's who still can't tolerate meat. I have eaten steak from 8 weeks out without any problem even when fish bothered me!

LoriAnn925 · 02-27-2007, 01:15 PM

Thanks!!! I think that I will definitely keep avoiding sugar. I will bring my own sweetner. They know I've been losing weight, so I'll just say its part of my diet.

I also live by reading labels. If sugar is in the first 3 ingredients, back it goes on the shelf. Unless its something like ketchup, which has less than 20 calories. Those were the guidelines that my nutritionist gave me, and they've worked out well so far, so why change anything.

I figure that since my being scared to try sugar has worked for me so far, why change it now. 90 pounds in 5 months is great, so why mess with a system that's working.