Refined Sugar and U/C?

I had to cut down on sugar and fried foods from my diet when I was on 60mg of prednisone. It was definitely hard but worthwhile due to sugar and fried foods causing bad acne. Tbh I dont know how you can totally cut out sugar from your diet but as long as you try to avoid foods and drinks high in sugar content, youre golden.

Cutting out refined sugar can help some, but honestly there's not much molecular difference between sugar and fruit. Fruit has sucrose, fructose, and glucose. Sugar is sucrose, which breaks down quickly to fructose and glucose. Sure, fruit is healthier because of the fiber and vitamins, but otherwise it's basically sugar. In fact, many fruits are often worse than sugar because fructose is poorly digested by ~30% of the population ... which leads to cramping/bloating/etc. Saying that fruit is "good sugar" is kind of like saying a candy bar would be healthy if you washed it down with a multivitamin and Metamucil wafer.

I cut out almost all carbohydrates, and immediately went into remission. When I eat carbs, I experience problems within 12 hours. Through a very low carb diet (almost no fruit, no sugar, no bread, no starches, etc) I've been able to remain drug free for 5 years. 5 years ago I was bleeding profusely even on 40-60mg of prednisone, and doctors wanted to remove my colon. The diet isn't fun, but for me it's much better than surgery or heavy doses of drugs.

Linda - I had the same experience at first. For whatever reason I became less tolerant of carbs over time. I first cut out wheat/grains (gluten), which cleared me up for a few months. The D and blood slowly crept back, so i gave up milk which helped for another few months. I didn't go into longterm remission until I cut out all carbs though (I get a little carbs from veggies, but that's about it). Every time I cheat I have problems though, so unfortunately it looks like I'll be on this diet for a while.

Susiebuddy, I have the same problem.

I've noticed:

1. The more I eat sugar, the more I crave it.
2. I crave sugar whenever I'm doing something that takes brain work. The brain says it needs sugar and now.
3. I don't crave sugar when I'm exercising.

Here is what I'm doing to help combat my sugar cravings:

1. Drinking water with lemon first thing in the morning.
2. Brushing my teeth whenever I get a sugar craving.
3. Eating a piece of toast with butter and cinnamon when I get a sugar craving.
4. Eating more nuts.
5. Eating bananas, pineapple, and berries (all aren't high in fructose).
6. Drinking herbal tea (Tension Tamer from Celestial Seasonings).
7. Taking vitamins.
8. Not eating/drinking anything containing artificial sweeteners.
9. Not drinking any caffeinated beverages.

I've also had good luck cutting back on sugar and carbs in general. However, diet alone was not enough for me. Dietary changes combined with probiotics and other healing supplements did the trick.

I am so glad that someone started this subject. I was just considering changing my diet to a low sugar diet, as it seems very healthy. Unfortunately I cannot find a good outline of what a good low sugar diet entails. How much is low, 10g, 20g, 30g a day?

LuckyLindy said...
Cutting out refined sugar can help some, but honestly there's not much molecular difference between sugar and fruit. Fruit has sucrose, fructose, and glucose. Sugar is sucrose, which breaks down quickly to fructose and glucose. Sure, fruit is healthier because of the fiber and vitamins, but otherwise it's basically sugar. In fact, many fruits are often worse than sugar because fructose is poorly digested by ~30% of the population ... which leads to cramping/bloating/etc. Saying that fruit is "good sugar" is kind of like saying a candy bar would be healthy if you washed it down with a multivitamin and Metamucil wafer.

I can't agree with that. Fruits have a lower glycemic load, so the sugars take longer to break down. Also fruits offer antioxidants in addition to vitamins and minerals that can help reverse the effects of toxins or oxidative stress. And isn't oxidative stress what we are really trying to cut down mainly in trying alternate diets?

mumbles - you are correct that most (but not all) fruit has a low to medium glycemic index/load. This doesn't mean fruit is necessarily good though, particularly for UC. Fruit is not digested easily (hence it's lower glycemic index), which can result in increased "bad bacteria" growth.

The advantages of fruit is not the fructose, but the vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Fruit fiber often causes problems for those with G.I. issues, as does fructose, which leaves minerals and vitamins as the sole advantages. Since many (most?) UC sufferers already take multi-vitamins/minerals, fruit adds little quantifiable value.

Sucrose (sugar) actually doesn't have a high glycemic index either since it takes a little effort for your body to digest (it's not like glucose or starches, which are digested VERY fast). Sugar by itself is digested much more readily than fruit though, so less sugars make it to the colon to help spark bacterial overgrowth.

LuckyLindy- This is where the whole dilemma starts. If you eat foods that are high in glycemic load they are digested easier and faster, so less of it goes to the colon to create bad bacteria colonies. But if you eat foods low in glycemic load then you be healthier over all but promote bad bacteria. Its a tough choice between what is good for UC and what is good for your body, and where they overlap. My theory is that a diet that keeps you healthier in general will help guard against cancer and side effects of drugs, while a UC symptom help diet may not but it will make your symptoms less harsh, which in turn could guard against cancer and prevent the need to take harder meds. I don't know whats right it just all seems bad.

I sometimes eat organic brown rice, as at least it has good health benefits. I like the flavor better than white, as well.

Hmm.. this has certainly gotten interesting... I wanted to add.. what about Juicing?? My husband and I have purchased a Juicer and started using it every morning.. that way you are cutting out most of the fiber and bulk, and just getting the good juice and vitamins and good stuff... So far it hasn't bothered me at all..   For my Breakfast, I have one apple, 1 huge carrot, 1 or 2 celery stalks, a sprig of parsley and 1/2 of a tomato, through the juicer.. Tastes pretty good and so far so good..... and by the way.. I had a poopie tonight and didn't see hardly ANY blood...!!!! First time in about 10 months or so!!!! WOO HOO!! Maybe the PRed and Apriso Combo will do the trick~~!!!

 Plus, I started taking **** *** for active people..  Anyone familiar with Acai Berry?? LOADED with antioxidants!!

Suziebuddy, that breakfast juice thing sounds like a great idea. But, I can't have tomatoes - they are one of the foods I had to eliminate and I MISS THEM LIKE CRAZY! I live in the south and was raised on tomatoes, so it's hard. I'm in a hurry in the mornings, so being able to juice and drink my breakfast sounds wonderful. Have you tried other combinations of fruit and/or veggies?

Hey Lou!

Yes, the Juicing thing seems to work for me quite well actually. I haven't tried a bunch of different juice combo's yet, but the juicer I got comes with a book of different receipies for different things, such as High Vitamin C drinks, energy type juice combos, stuff like that.. It works great and sure makes it easy to get your vegetables and fruits down without the hassle of cooking. I have tried Squash, which works pretty good, with apple and carrot and even a slice of Ginger... yummmm... Mostly though, I do the apple, carrot, celery, parsly and tomato combo in the am.. You can use melons, brocolli, cauliflower, just about anything.. All I know is if I simply ATE all the fruit and veggies that I juice every day, I'd be sitting on the pooper most of the time! LOL..