getting the sugar out and other diatary advice...

[61scout80]

I started monitoring my food intake with myfitnesspal.com. It really opened my eyes to things I thought were healthy, or moderately acceptable for healthy living. But there are 2 categories where I routinely blow my goals. They are sugar and sodium. Myfitnesspal set my sodium goal at 2,500mg and sugar at 40g

The sodium I think I'm gaining ground on by cutting out more and more previously prepared foods. I knew most of them were loaded with sodium, but I never understood just how much. The 6 small frozen meatballs in my spaghetti last night ate up about 1/4 of my daily goal.
But the sugar isn't as easy for me to hit. I've ditched the obvious stuff. No more soda, no coffee since I load it with sugar, and no candy, deserts etc. So far today I have had 2 cups of cantaloupe, and now I'm over half way though my sugar allowance on the day.

I'm in this for fat loss, should I be so concerned with sugar intake from fruit?

 

[fortyfour]

I wouldn't count cantaloupe in my sugar thing. Cantaloupe is fruit. That means its full of good things like fibre and vitamins and minerals. Just include and give up the food where sugar is added. Does your website tell you to include fruit? I find it utterly contra to good weightloss basics.

As for salt, you will find that all packaged foods include salt. And often sugar too. The reason is that salt and sugar are known preservatives. Secondly, they are serious flavour enhances.

The way to get over this problem with salt is to stop buy prepackaged foods and learn to cook. Then you will find you can afford to eat bread for lunch and the odd piece of hard cheese - both of which have nutritional value.