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Baraka_Guru · 02-07-2010, 07:57 AM

To simplify, sugar is sugar: 40g of sugar could be derived from various sources. Even "table sugar" is from plants: sugar beets or sugar cane.

Sure there are differences between glucose, sucrose, and fructose content, but for all intents and purposes, sugar is sugar.

However, it is better to drink a glass of orange juice than a can of Coke, but it might surprise you to know that the sugar content is similar, especially if you simply consider the calories. The difference is that orange juice also contains vitamin C, potassium, and a few other vitamins and minerals, in addition to phytonutrients and its being low in sodium, especially compared to Coke. So although you are still taking in sugar, you are also taking in important nutrients.

That said, I'd recommend dropping the juice and eating the fruits instead. The whole fruits contain a lot of water, so they are hydrating, just not as much as simply drinking juice. I'd recommend drinking either water or tea instead. But eating the whole fruit will give you nutrients like I listed above but will also include a good source of fibre (an orange will give you 3g), plus the nutrients will be more concentrated. I would include more vegetables in your diet as well if you aren't eating that many. They too contain water, but they tend to have fewer sugars.

The bottom line? Drinking juice as a primary beverage will easily put you over that 40g allotment of sugar. Have your 5 to 10 servings of fruit and vegetables per day that many would recommend, but try to limit your juice intake if you aren't eating many whole foods. You want to balance out sugar-based foods with starch-based foods when filling up your carbohydrate intake. If you want to drink something, drink water or tea. I recommend sticking to green and oolong tea, if not herbal tea.

02-07-2010, 07:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	To simplify, sugar is sugar: 40g of sugar could be derived from various sources. Even "table sugar" is from plants: sugar beets or sugar cane. Sure there are differences between glucose, sucrose, and fructose content, but for all intents and purposes, sugar is sugar. However, it is better to drink a glass of orange juice than a can of Coke, but it might surprise you to know that the sugar content is similar, especially if you simply consider the calories. The difference is that orange juice also contains vitamin C, potassium, and a few other vitamins and minerals, in addition to phytonutrients and its being low in sodium, especially compared to Coke. So although you are still taking in sugar, you are also taking in important nutrients. That said, I'd recommend dropping the juice and eating the fruits instead. The whole fruits contain a lot of water, so they are hydrating, just not as much as simply drinking juice. I'd recommend drinking either water or tea instead. But eating the whole fruit will give you nutrients like I listed above but will also include a good source of fibre (an orange will give you 3g), plus the nutrients will be more concentrated. I would include more vegetables in your diet as well if you aren't eating that many. They too contain water, but they tend to have fewer sugars. The bottom line? Drinking juice as a primary beverage will easily put you over that 40g allotment of sugar. Have your 5 to 10 servings of fruit and vegetables per day that many would recommend, but try to limit your juice intake if you aren't eating many whole foods. You want to balance out sugar-based foods with starch-based foods when filling up your carbohydrate intake. If you want to drink something, drink water or tea. I recommend sticking to green and oolong tea, if not herbal tea. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot Last edited by Baraka_Guru; 02-07-2010 at 08:00 AM..