Hidden Added Sugars How I Lost Control of my Glucose Level and how I Got it Under Control

In 2014 we made a 1000 mile move from New York State to Georgia. In 2013 in New York I was warned to start looking at my Blood Pressure aka Hypertension. That was first observed in 2013. So what happened? Age or did something else contribute to it.

Back in 2012 I began working outdoors. I was in great shape, weighed 206 on a 6' 1" frame and was cut. It was a hot summer. I started eating alot of hot dogs for lunch and a sports drink; Powerade. The hot dogs stopped but the Powerade continued because its cheap and tastes great. That continued until 2014 when I began on Blood Pressure medication. My doctor told me to stop Powerade. So I changed to Gatorade which I continued to drink until I collapsed in front of my wife in November 2021. The Gatorade I drank was straight from the 32 ounce bottle. It contains 14 teaspoons of added sugar or 58 grams of sugar. Sometimes I would drink three bottles a day as a result of the heat. The daily limit for a man is 36 grams. Yikes!.

So in November 2021 the doctors at Urgent Care said that I need to make a lifestyle change. They spoke to me about added sugars as my Blood Pressure was in the 180 / 92 and sugar was 115.

I immediately quit and switched to lemon concentrate that I added to water. By April 2022 my AIC was 5.5 and Glucose was 111. BP was also good. I then began drinking Body Armor Lyte. In December 2022 I went back in for my blood test and I thought I would be excellent. Nope, wrong again as A1C rose to 6.0 and Glucose 126. I stopped Body Armor Lyte cold turkey. They claim there are NO added sugars! So how can I explain as nothing else in my diet changed. I then switched to Gatorade Zero in 2022.

On April 25 2023 I received my blood test results A1C was 5.5 and Glucose 111. So WTF? I also went to the eye specialist in July 2023 as they had concerns on Ocular hypertension. Normal is 12 - 21. Mine was 21 as it was first observed in 2021. Two other specialists also saw it at 121. Last week I was tested again. I came in at 13 and 15 respectively. The specialist did a happy dance. I didn't tell him that I never began taking the eye drops they prescribed. I see him next year.

My Blood Pressure has been at 126 / 78 the last two tests at the doctors office. Yes I am on pills but a small dose. Doc said if I cut back on the red Wine I would NOT need BP pills. My eyes are now back to normal. My glucose falling along with weight.

All of the above tests are documented. What I eat is my story. Its true and accurate. I now wonder just WTF is in that Body Armor Lyte. I now count my added sugars daily. I no longer eat Quaker Life and many other past favorites. So far Gatorade Zero seems to be good stuff. I still exercise and am down to 215 from 221. My BMI ~ 15. My goal is 206 pounds again. I was last at that weight in 2012.

Added sugar is really bad for all of us. Its really too bad the FDA allows this stuff to be on the shelves but their out is that its all on us to figure it out. Many doctors aren't even up to speed on added sugars as the FDA fuels Big Pharma's profits.

Go figure?

Drink water a reply to: Waterglass

a reply to: Waterglass

Artificial sweetener tell the body to produce insulin, but insuline is only needed for real sugars aka carbohydrates not artificial sweetener like in all the zero beverages. Do this enough time and the body will stop producing insuline when sweet is detected in the mouth. You're body is now inable to allocate the carbohydrates properly and your sugar levels will rise.

It's a bit like the story of the boy that screamed wolf once too many...

a reply to: Terpene

Artificial sweetener tell the body to produce insulin, but insuline is only needed for real sugars aka carbohydrates...

Your so correct and on!

a reply to: ITSALIVE

Its the best but straight water in the Southern heat will give one a stomach ache or cramps. The Latinos I spoke with sip water or don't drink it. They eat citrus instead. Orange, Lemons or limes

a reply to: Waterglass

Stay away from lowcarb drinks, and processed food, it's really bad for your health.

I do water with lemon often, cold herbal infusions can give you some diversity, you can add honey, or stevia instead of sugar, warm beverages are to be favored in hot weather, but the infusion is a threat even cold.

Most importantly cook your own food!

a reply to: Terpene

We stopped processed meats years ago. We do eat Michael Angelo's frozen meals eggplant and chicken Parmesan @ zero added sugars

NO cookies, candy, sweets, cakes or cupcakes. Very few chips. Were into low salt refried beans [krogers]. We top them with some cheese and salsa to go with our soft tacos. We use Turkey meat and La Preferida Taco Seasoning. Its the most realistic to a Mexican taco IMO.

I have two pieces of Bourbon Marinade on Salmon in the fridge. I also top it with real maple syrup and dill.

No it won’t, citing “latinos” is just your excuse to keep drinking added sugars. I know Texas summer heat well.

a reply to: Waterglass

a reply to: ITSALIVE

No it won’t, citing “latinos” is just your excuse to keep drinking added sugars. I know Texas summer heat well.

That's what I was told by the Latino stone crew chipping flagstone for a patio and pool I had installed in 2016. Verbatim. So why would I make it up or lie about it. So everything is a F ing conspiracy. I mean JFC.

I get sick if I drink straight water in the Georgia, South Carolina heat. The Latino's direct from Mexico also said they Sip straight water.

Artificial sweeteners in zero sugar drinks actually boost your other sugar intake from other foods, for example fruits, bread etc.. less sugar goes down in the toilet. Funny if your doctor has not explained this for you.

There's a cyclist I've always stayed away from all this hype of these good drinks and energy drinks and whatever I've always stayed just what plain water and if you really have a decent diet when you're outside cleaning like just you don't need to eat much well at least I don't a banana definitely some fruit and some vegetables and I always like to start the morning off with the water and bread just white bread all the white bread is not that nutritious but it does give me the enough energy to cycle all day long.

originally posted by: Waterglass
a reply to: ITSALIVE

Its the best but straight water in the Southern heat will give one a stomach ache or cramps. The Latinos I spoke with sip water or don't drink it. They eat citrus instead. Orange, Lemons or limes

That's wild I didn't know you were a Georgian, Georgian-born and raised, and though I wander a lot and love other places. Georgia's hard to beat in a lot of ways.

Never heard of the water cramps and Southern heat theory though?

Used to work lawn service and landscaping all year long, my cooler had one bottle of 32 oz Gatorade and two gallons of water on ice. But I was probably at the peak of my health and FWIW probably drank more out of the garden hose as a kid in the summer than a glass of anything.

That said there are definitely levels of needed minerals sweated away that just water doesn't replace. What do I know though Id work that all day and come home and drink beer and liquor and eat hot wings, pizza, and burgers.

originally posted by: dollukka
Artificial sweeteners in zero sugar drinks actually boost your other sugar intake from other foods, for example fruits, bread etc.. less sugar goes down in the toilet. Funny if your doctor has not explained this for you.

America's trying to catch up, Im thinking generally Europeans see the doctor more often than Americans too. Partially the subsidized health care, no doubt but other reasons too. It's like taking your car to the mechanic, they are going to find something wrong it's just a matter of degrees

a reply to: Waterglass

I live in a similar southern climate and I drink water only during my strenuous activities outside. Also, I worked in a brick factory for 9 years where I was forced to work in temperatures equal to or exceeding 110 degrees for prolonged periods of time and I drank water.

Yes, I know it isn't good because alcohol dehydrates, but I do indulge in a few beers when I'm finished.

I don't touch any of those supposed energy drinks. I see them as all being garbage.

Waiting until one is overheated or dehydrated and drinking too much water all at once is the only way water will give you stomach cramps. If water intake is measured, it will not give you cramps, I don't care what anyone says.


PS: What is the primary ingredient in any and all of the energy drinks on the market? Any answers?

I'll tell you. IT'S WATER...

a reply to: Waterglass

Processed food is chock full of emulsifiers, they help to homogenize water and fat.

You'll get fat attached to water molecules and allocated in your body where no fat is needed, only water.

Cholesterol is the end result.

A great many prescription drugs now days have a 'small chance' of increasing blood sugar levels and /or directly causing type II diabetes. Examples are asthma inhalers, nebulizer medication, high cholesterol meds, hormone replacement therapy meds, prednisone, some antibiotics and so many others.

If a person is taking just one of these drugs it's a slow progression to increased blood sugar levels; add in a few more and you can become a full-blown type II diabetic in 6 months. It happened to me, and my diabetes is absolutely prescription medication based.

In 2013 I had the upper portion of both lungs removed and was taken off all medication. I was no longer having above normal A1C's or needing any prescription medications for 3 years. As COPD progressed it became necessary to start nebulizer treatments again, and within a few months my A1C was over 7; back to full-blown type II for me.

Just one prescription can cause so many side effects that require even more drugs to treat and the cumulative effects happen so gradually that few people notice. We just take it for granted that the medical community knows best every time we have a 15 minute visit to review the latest test results to see what other pharmaceuticals our out-of-whack systems might need, further compounding the problem of our declining health.

Looking back on my journey makes me shudder to think of all the prescription medication I took that has now been pulled off the market because it's been recently 'discovered' it does more harm than good. Funny thing, though; in researching each one the dangers were already known, yet the FDA approved them anyway.

Maybe it's time we start paying more attention to 'fringe' scientists' concerns and whistleblowers. They seem to know 20-30 years before the FDA and medical community does that a drug will do more harm than good.

originally posted by: nugget1
A great many prescription drugs now days have a 'small chance' of increasing blood sugar levels and /or directly causing type II diabetes. Examples are asthma inhalers, nebulizer medication, high cholesterol meds, hormone replacement therapy meds, prednisone, some antibiotics and so many others.

If a person is taking just one of these drugs it's a slow progression to increased blood sugar levels; add in a few more and you can become a full-blown type II diabetic in 6 months. It happened to me, and my diabetes is absolutely prescription medication based.

I wouldn´t say that, i have treated many patients which have had these medicines and even more without diabetes.

Diabetes is mostly genetic trait with lifestyle dependent. Flammations and Flu makes bloodsugar rise to even otherwise healthy people. Doctors have suggested specially to elders that a bit of insulin is good for fight down flu caused bloodsugar rise.. tho it has been more or less speculation should they do that.

Working outside in the NewMexico desert most of my crew only drink water and lots of it. The Gen Z people however seem addicted to Monster and Red Bull and they work like demons. Ah...youth!

a reply to: Waterglass

Makes sense because citrus is full of electrolytes!

Been on Keto since April 7th of this year and I have lost 30lbs so far. I could go faster towards my goal weight of 155, but I read that it's better to lose it gradually and it's pealing off at a decent pace.

I'm on 3 different heart medications for cholesterol and hypertension, but my last lipid panel was in the green across the board EXCEPT a high triglyceride level. However, after doing extensive research and learning from various doctors and papers that high triglycerides isn't exactly a bad thing when all other metrics are dialed in, that ease's my concern.

Currently 210lbs this morning and I'm going to wait until I crack 180lbs before I have a discussion with my doctor about pulling back on the meds.

That's my ultimate goal is to get rid of these meds that only treat the symptoms.

Sugar is fantastic and in strict moderation, it shouldn't be a problem. The standard American diet is an absolute killer that overloads your system with horrific results.

I use Allulose sweetener for my Keto chocolate pudding and cake recipes. Yes, you can have dessert on Keto and it won't spike your glycemic index! Greatest part of eliminating sugar is that eventually it'll become unimportant to the new you.

I may have a "dessert" like twice a month, but other than that, there's no fixation or cravings at all anymore.

I look around now and I see that people are generally overweight to some degree or the other and I want to tell them about how their lives can be extended by making a few relatively minor adjustments.

90% of what is considered "food" in a grocery store isn't, and convenience/liquor stores are absolutely empty except for maybe the more premium beef jerky but sugar, nitrites and nitrates, etc. are still a big factor.

I don't even go to those stores anymore because there's nothing in there of any value at all to my body.

I do agree however to cook for yourself. In the beginning, MEASURE OUT EVERYTHING in order to hit your macros. After a while, you won't have to measure anything because you will understand content and portion control which is critical to success.

I'm sold on Keto. Never going back.

a reply to: Waterglass

I have a hard time drinking water. I don't know why, but it gives me a stomach ache unless I sip it too.

I've often wondered why tea or lemon water or even carbonated soda doesn't do that. Coffee will make me feel nauseated some time after I drink it. But water if I gulp it hurts my tummy immediately.