Sugar substitute

[DoingItDifferently]

Hi I have f4 fibrosis and I am very overweight. I want to know what I can substitute for sugar as I've started drinking coffee again, I've been using honey but I'm just wondering if there is anything low calorie.

And I'm using almond milk, is that okay to drink. Also it is ok to drink coffee isn't it?

I've been snacking on nuts too, mainly pistachios and cashews. Is there any nuts that should be avoided?

[Onesmallstep1969]

Hi,

There should be no problem with the almond milk. I use it every day! As for sugar substitutes, I don't recommend them. I do use stevia when I need to sweeten the coffee and 5 years of blood tests and liver scans tell me that the stevia doesn't hurt my liver. Can't say that I've ever heard that certain nuts are bad for you. I eat walnuts and almonds almost daily. Started adding in sunflower seeds a few times a week. Good luck with bringing the weight down to normal range. Stay positive about this journey. It can turn out just fine if you take care of yourself.

[DoingItDifferently in reply to Onesmallstep1969]

Thank you

[MaryBennett]

Yes, I second Stevia. I too eat walnuts and almonds daily. Research has shown they are both great for your liver

[DoingItDifferently in reply to MaryBennett]

Thank you

[Roy1955]

Honey is sugar!

Natural yes but calories are the same.

Nuts are fine but it depends what you mean by *snacking".

A days allowance is about what will fit in the palm of a small ladies hand, not heaped up.

A glass of almond milk is about 60 calories so 3 glasses is almost a mars bar, it's less fattening than lactose milk but still not advisable if your using it as a drink.

Pistachios are very high salt so not great.

[DoingItDifferently in reply to Roy1955]

Thank you for your reply. I have 2 coffees a day with a very small amount of honey and almond milk. About a closed handful of nuts a day (I will start having just cashews or other nuts after your reply, thanks) and a couple of smoothies with almond milk a week. And a low fat Greek yoghurt a week. I'm going to buy Stevia to replace the honey.

I've lost 2 stone 10lb in 4 weeks so I must be doing something right. It's just dropping off since I stopped drinking.

Totally changed my diet, cut alcohol . And 2 days ago I bought an exercise bike.

I'm feeling so much better, my doctor says just cutting the alcohol would have got rid of all the weight alone. But I want to get fitter as well as lose the weight.

[Roy1955 in reply to DoingItDifferently]

Watch the salt in cashews!Almonds or walnuts are a better choice.

[DoingItDifferently in reply to Roy1955]

They aren't the salty ones. They have dry cranberries in the packet.. do they still have salt in?

[Roy1955 in reply to DoingItDifferently]

Probably not but check the ingredient list on the pack

[Bantam2 in reply to DoingItDifferently]

Sounds like you are doing great and obviously thinking a lot about what you are eating whilst still maintaining an element of enjoyment in what you are eating. If you happen to eat 2 more nuts than you should do I’ll think you’ll be fine 😀

[DoingItDifferently in reply to Bantam2]

Thank you

[Ubwa]

I wouldn’t worry about sugar in only two coffees a day. Likewise milk. Especially since you seem to be losing weight really well. Like others have said, enjoy something or you will find it hard to maintain.

[DoingItDifferently in reply to Ubwa]

Thank you for your reply.

I had a fibroscan at my rehab recovery place yesterday and my kpa has gone from 14.5 a few weeks ago to 12.2 yesterday. So I was feeling quite positive.,

Then I got a call from my doctor surgery asking me to come in tomorrow. To do with my blood results, Something about a referral. So now I'm terrified again.

[AyrshireK in reply to DoingItDifferently]

You've said in a previous post that you arn't under a specialist which you most certainly should be based on your medical history and test results and this is most likely the referral doctor is talking about plus you have the small issue of not being entirely honest about your alcohol intake, if blood results don't correspond to the levels you previously reported to doctor he/she is bound to want to find out what the situation is with your liver.

Don't panic, just keep up the good work doing all you can to look after and improve your liver.

Katie

[DoingItDifferently in reply to AyrshireK]

I have received an appointment from gastroenterology for the end of August. I also told the doctor about my alcohol intake and I haven't touched a drop for 2 and a half weeks. It had only been 5 days sober when I had the bloods done so do you think maybe they were still being affected by it? I have a copy of my bloods but it makes no sense to me. The guy who did the scan yesterday said one thing was a bit elevated, alt I think.

I feel loads better than I did. I can't believe how much better I feel. I have been getting on my exercise bike daily and eating better. I just worry that I could have a kidney issue because my urine is a bit dark until later at night when it seems to clear a bit. I'm just going to keep trying. And taking on board all of the advice I'm being given. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. I will update here after my doctor visit.

[DoingItDifferently in reply to AyrshireK]

It was basically just to tell me my liver is working OK and that I need to take folic acid. And that I'm on the right track.

I asked if its reversible and he said we can't know yet.

Thanks for always replying which helps me to stay calm and focused.