4 Ways Sneaky Sugar is Sabotaging Your Weight-loss Efforts

 

Let me guess…

• You’re well aware that excess sugar in the body is stored as fat.
• You’ve been diligently working on cutting out sugar.
• Yet, you’re struggling to lose weight.

You’re not alone.

I hear it all the time- clients complaining that they’ve swapped their Starbucks for smoothies and candy for cliff bars yet, no weight-loss- what the hell?

The following are 4 of the most likely culprits preventing you from losing weight…

4 Ways Sneaky Sugar is Sabotaging Your Weight-loss Efforts

1. You’re a BIG fan of fruit

The FDA suggests that a healthy daily sugar count is somewhere within the vicinity of 24g for females and 36g for males.

We all know fruit contains a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants. However, it’s important to be aware of its sugar content as well.

Let’s talk numbers.

• 6 pieces of dried apricots = 12g sugar
• 1 medjool date = 16g sugar
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries = 26g sugar
• 6 slices of dried mango = 27g sugar
• 5 pieces of dried papaya = 29g sugar
• 2 TBL raisins = 29g sugar
• 1 oz of dehydrated bananas = 24g sugar

Ok, we all know dried fruit generally contains more sugar. How about fresh fruit?

• 1 apple = 16g sugar
• 1 cup pineapple = 16g sugar
• 1 banana = 19g sugar
• 1 mango = 31g sugar

Yeah, but it’s fruit sugar. That’s good sugar right?

Wrong-o! Fructose is often referred to as “good sugar.” Though, I’m not really sure what that means. I believe the “good” is referring to the vitamins and minerals. As for sugar, whether fructose (fruit), lactose (dairy) or glucose (starch), your body metabolizes it all the same. And what do we know to be true of sugar?

Excess sugar is stored as fat.

Bingo!

2. You’re addicted to protein bars

Protein bars are an excellent idea in theory. Let’s say you’ve just left the gym and you’re ravenous. Perhaps you have a few errands to run before sitting down to lunch. Not to worry, a protein bar will effectively buy you some time between meals. Plus, they’re composed predominantly of protein (high-quality post-workout fuel)- or are they?

Sorry to break it to you, but the majority of protein bars on the market are made predominantly of sugar- and by now we’re all well aware that sugar equals weight-gain. There are a few bars on the market that aren’t too shabby. I would highly recommend the brand Epic. If you can get over the fact that Epic bars are much more of a jerky experience than a traditional protein bar, you’ll be sold.

3. You’re supplementing nutritional needs with commercial juices

Would it surprise you to hear that your “health” juice may be the equivalent of eating 13 Dunkin’ Donuts? Whaaaaat!!! 13 donuts! Never would you ever beast down 13 Dunkin’ Donuts in one sitting. Appalling isn’t it?

There’s a mob of pre-packaged ‘health’ drinks cropping up in the produce isles of major grocery stores.

Let’s see how some of the popular brands stack up against Dunkin’ Donuts:

• V8 Fusion- Acai Berry 8 fl oz = 6 donuts
• Sambazon- Supergreens with Kale and Ginger 8 fl oz = 6 donuts
• Odwalla- Superfood 1individual bottle = 9 donuts
• Bolthouse Farms- Green Goodness 11 fl oz = 9 donuts
• Naked- Green Machine 15.2 fl oz = 13 donuts

Here are some healthier store bought alternatives:

• Paleta
• Tio
• Mix1
• Suja
• Juice Generation

Reach for varietals containing 9g of sugar or less.

4. You’re hooked on your gym’s post-workout recovery smoothie

If your post-workout smoothie tastes like a dream come true, it’s probably too good to be true. You would think a smoothie bar in a gym would have your best interest in mind- sorry bout it- they don’t. The next time you belly up, ask to have a look at the nutritional facts of your fav smoothie. Check out the sugar count. Keep in mind anything over 10g of sugar is likely doing more damage than it is good. I’m not discouraging you from participating in a post-workout muscle rebuilder, I’m simply suggesting you DIY. If you’re not sure which brand to invest in, here are a few clean recommendations: Tera’s Active Recovery (for the conscious carnivore) or Vega Sport (for the veggies).

I’d love to hear your thoughts on sugar and struggles with losing weight in the comments below. Thanks for reading. Aloha!