Quitting processed sugar- is it enough?

[Cuppatea14]

Hello dietary experts! Can you please give some advise to a complete novice...

I put on about a stone during my latest pregnancy, through mainlining sugar especially in the last trimester and even more for the first 2 months or so after the birth.

I've quit processed sugar for 2 weeks now, so none of the obvious targets (chocs, buns etc) and nothing sweetened with honey/dried fruit and so on.

I am still eating fresh fruit, milk, and carbs (although only whole wheat bread, pasta). Am I doing enough to make any difference? My diet is pretty healthy, everything is cooked from scratch, but I am partial to a latte and a sausage sandwich :)

Well, it's a good start, anyway. Are you trying to lose weight or just be healthier? If you want to lose weight, it might be worth checking your portion sizes and trying something like MyFitnessPal to track your eating for a bit. It really helps you to be aware of what you're eating and where sugars are hiding. Definitely worth a try.

Check anything processed. Ketchup and baked beans are full of sugar. I think I read somewhere to try and keep the sugar content at 5% or less - so 5g per 100g on labels. It may surprise you.

Thanks both. I have a toddler so I'm pretty anal about processed food, and I'm pretty sure I'm on top of the sugar thing, other than lactose in milk and naturally occurring sugars in bread etc (I buy bread with no added sugar).

I downloaded that app - it's very clever! Definitely making me consider what I shove in my gob. I think maybe using the app combined with the no-sugar thing might work.

Were you a healthy stable weight before your pregnancy? In my experience if you were, and you return to your previous style of eating, the weight will come off and stay off eventually. Cutting sugar is always a good thing to do regardless :) If you already avoid obvious sugary food and eat wholegrain stuff then I expect you are on the right track.

I'm not a fan of cutting whole food groups although plenty on here do low-carb with success. I see nothing wrong with the odd latte and bacon sandwich :)

I am more active now as a SAHM than I was working in an office, which has helped keep my weight down.

Good luck