Alternatives for sweets: I have long... - British Liver Trust

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Alternatives for sweets

WilkesG profile image
4 Replies

I have long been a low carb dieter, and the fats I'd eatch are the healthy fats (avocados/nuts, etc) as well as the protein I'd eat are lean meats, eggs and protein shakes. I also cut down my carbs to mostly veggies and for a snack, popcorn, healthy popped/low salt/no butter. My one guilty pleasure is having a sweet tooth, particularly for ice cream.

However, I have gotten Halo Top brand, which is very low in calories, fat and as far as ice cream goes, sugar, though it does have 5-7 grams of sugar per serving, or 15-23 grams pre pint, though it has fiber to slow down absorption as natural sugars, like in apples, have the absorption slowed down. I have tried to only have a few spoonfuls. It is mostly sweetened with erythritol, an extremely low calorie sugar alcohol (like 1/16th the caloric intake of sugar, so virtually no impact on blood sugar level or liver)...though of course the grams of sugar impact it. It is high in protein as well and low in saturated fat

Though I know I shouldn't eat stuff like cookies/chocolate/candy, I have eaten some (no more than like 1 a day) but I can tell if I eat a little too much, it aggravates the liver in a way (but a lesser way), than if I drank the night before.

I have researched ice cream without sugar, but it's very hard to find. I found some Halo Top (Keto Series) with no sugar, but it is very high in saturated fat...I had avoided it but bought some recently and decided not to really eat much at all..possibly a spoonful. I was trying to figure out what was worse, saturated fat or sugar, but ideally I avoid both.

Any recommendations? My quest protein shakes kind of do the trick, with no sugar or fat, sweeted with stevia.

Any recommendations? It seems the absence of alcohol gives me a bit of a sugar (or at least sweet) craving. I do recall when I get into super shape, cardio, and working out, that I crave this less, so I am trying to get more into that, and drop about 20 lbs (or at least 15), which I know makes me feel a lot better.

My only real symptoms are the extreme bloating, not really ascites like, but more just it feels like my insides are full or expanding, and I could easily take this as not being hungry but I still make sure to get my protein and calories, if need be, through stuff like the popcorn, protein shakes and popcorn. The other symptom is the pain in the upper right quadrant and back, particularly when I do work around the house or walk, carry groceries, etc, but this had happened for 5+ years..typically when I sit or lay down it's fine. I do feel a bit of fatigue, but that feels more like quarantine laziness, sometime sleeping too much, and getting out of the habit of exercise.

Any suggestions on sweet alternatives? Particulary ice cream? There is a low calorie/low fat/low sugar take out place here I have tried, though it sometimes seems to slightly aggravate me..or make me feel bloated, though that is because I was eating 2+ pints at once....with limited portions it's fine.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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WilkesG profile image
WilkesG
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4 Replies
Avux99 profile image
Avux99

Can’t help re: low sugar/low fat ice cream but if you are wanting something vaguely ‘cream like’ but low in sugar/fat & high in protein maybe try some of the ‘Skyr’ type yogurts? Can recommend the Nestle Kvarg ones in White Choc or Stracciatella flavour, stats per 100g: 0.2g sat fat, 3.2 sugars, 11g protein

Ellewoods1 profile image
Ellewoods1

Eat sugar free jello. It’s great to satisfy your sweet cravings.

jazzjam profile image
jazzjam

Oh gosh I can’t help either. When I was reading you post I just thought ‘I could have written this, this is me’. I always have zero sugar boiled sweets in, boiled because they last longer although I am not sure how good they are because they have false sweeteners in. i have found some recipes this week that I am going to try and make that someone sent me I will let you know if they pass the not sugar but good feeling test.

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK

You don't discuss whether or not you've actually got a diagnosed liver condition. If you do then you really need to see a dietician for advise on what is an appropriate diet to follow and whether a low carb one is actually appropriate. For some folks with liver disease carbs and protein are absolutely essential to prevent the body burning muscle for fuel as it can no longer store and release energy as a healthy liver would.

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