Sugar question - for the nutrition gurus!

cal79
cal79 Member Posts: 57
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Ok, so I am a pretty healthy eater - I try to eat organic, lots of veg, not too much rubbish etc. However, I do love my sugar. I don't eat sweet foods much, but I have one coffee, one tea, and a few fruity herbal infusions a day, but I have to have sugar in them or I can't drink them (I'm bad I know..). I have tried swapping to Stevia, but I don't like the taste, and artificial sweetners really upset my stomach. So, my question is; are there some forms of sugar that are better for you than others (ie raw sugar over white etc)?

Thank you!

Cal :)

Comments

  • terril
    terril Member Posts: 296
    #2
    The only thing I know is that cancer loves sugar. The cells seem to eat it up. When they give you a PET scan, it is radioactive glucose that they put in you. The cancer cells light up because they eat up the sugar. From all my reading, it is a good idea to limit your sugar very much. I am trying to do the alkaline eating way...lowering the pH in my body so that cancer cells will not have a party and grow. Sugar is acidic. It is hard to give up sugar; try to really cut down. Terri
  • rthornton
    rthornton Member Posts: 346 Member
    #3
    I've wondered about honey as a sweetener. Sometimes I will add honey to tea or morning oatmeal, etc. My impression is that honey is only marginally better than sugar, but I have read contrasting opinions regarding honey. When I was in the throes of chemotherapy last year, I rather successfully limited sugar to a very small part of my diet. I can no longer make this claim, so I am interested to read more replies to your question.
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
    Cal,
    As part of my change in diet, I removed all artificial sweeteners...just don't like the thought...I, too, eat sugar in some things...but otherwise eat a very healthy diet.
    Unfortunately, ALL cells use glucose for 'food'. Most carbs are broken down to...yup, sugar. That's why during a PET scan you must stay VERY quiet (they suggested I sleep) otherwise, any part I was moving would 'light up' along with the tumor...
    I believe that moderation is the name of the game....and balance...I eat as little preserved stuff as I can...
    But, sigh, I do sin sometimes...and ENJOY it while doing it...hehehehhehe
    Hugs, Kathi
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
    #5
    Hi Cal,

    I completely understand where you are coming from. After years of processed foods loaded with high fructose corn syrup and diet stuff loaded with aspartame, I had a tough time too.

    I still get my sugar fixes, fruits and natural sugar sources (varies depending on the recipe). I actually just did a bite of real dark chocolate while I was really on my strict diet daily. My fruit followed my main meals by 30 minutes. I had to have something but I only did after eating complex carbs and protein.
    My thinking was I would "hide" the sugar with other stuff the tummy was dealing with to slow down the conversion to blood glucose. In other words, I ate dessert within 30 minutes after dinner!!!!!!!!
    Honey is a great sweetener as is stevia. If neither of those work out then go with another of the natural sweeteners. Just stay away from the bleached white sugar (yes they use clorox like stuff to make it look so pretty and white, yum yum), high fructose corn syrup, and man made sweeteners.

    Stick close to God given sugar suppliers and I don't think you will be disappointed.

    Lisa P.
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #6
    Hi Cal,

    I agree with everyone but just want to add another sweetner (natural) out there. I think the spelling is Xylitol. I was alergic to the Stevia. It gave me headaches. The above sweetner I had no issues with. If you limit your sugar you will not "crave" it so much. Right now on chemo I'm not as good as I was. I figure I just need to eat. Trying to eat fruit. You could add that to your oatmeal for sweetness. Somewhere I also read natural maple syrup as a sweetner. Good luck and Take care!

    Lisa
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #7
    WOW, just found out something today....
    My friend needed a real gentle laxative...his onc suggested sugar-free candy...contains sorbitol,this is a sugar oil...works as a laxative...VERY gentle...
    Hugs, Kathi
  • texas312
    texas312 Member Posts: 3
    #8
    terril said:

    The only thing I know is that cancer loves sugar. The cells seem to eat it up. When they give you a PET scan, it is radioactive glucose that they put in you. The cancer cells light up because they eat up the sugar. From all my reading, it is a good idea to limit your sugar very much. I am trying to do the alkaline eating way...lowering the pH in my body so that cancer cells will not have a party and grow. Sugar is acidic. It is hard to give up sugar; try to really cut down. Terri

    Cancer cells have a higher metabolic rate than normal cells -- that's why they light up in a PET scan. They are "hungrier" than other cells. But they use the same fuel as any other kind of cell in our bodies.

    I think cutting down on sugar is something everyone, cancer patient or not, should do as part of a healthy diet. But I don't think it serves any purpose to worry that a teaspoonful of sugar in your coffee will feed cancer cells. I believe the best anti-cancer diet is heavy on veggies, whole grains and fruit and light on processed foods, artificial ingredients, sugar, fat, and meat.

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