sugar and diet

Until my late thirties I was naturally very slim.  During some sort of viral illness, and a protracted period of post viral fatigue I gained weight and have been fighting with my weight ever since.  I can lose weight through an extreme diet but chances are I gain it again.  Doctors and nutritionists all assume that I  spend my life stuffing down high calory high sugar foods, actually I have a quite healthy high fibre diet although I confess to a couple of glasses of wine every night with my meal.
We recently moved to Spain and a few weeks ago I had a bad attack of 'spanish tummy', I didn't eat for 3 days and of course lost weight.  When it was over I ate carefully and, in particular avoided sugar altogether.  I regained a little of the weight but maintained a pleasing loss.  Our daughter then came out to stay with us and, while she was here, I ate some sugar products.  Not vast amounts, an ice cream cone one day, a soft drink amother, a couple of squares of chocolate (I actually don't have a particularly sweet tooth).  When she left I was amazed at the amount of weight I had gained.  Both my husband and I immediately recognised that the change was SUGAR.  Since then I have excluded sugar from my diet almost totally and am loosing weight steadily.  I am eating a healthy diet, regulating portions and continuing to have a couple of glasses of wine in the evening.
So - the questions, is it possible that I have spent the last twenty years struggling with a weight problem that has such a simple explanation?  Is there any reason I shouldn't eliminate sugar from my diet?  Do natural sugars like honey and fruit have the same effect.  Anyone had the same experience?  BTW I'm 58, 5'11" weigh 17 stone, having reached 19 stone at my heaviest.

[VGER321]

Hi
I liked your post and wanted to comment. I got off the sugar years ago and feel sooo much better. I still eat some because it is in so many foods a little wont hurt but if you want there are so many types. Sugar is an acid and eats things like teeth. I personally use xylitol, or stevia. aguave nectar , honey. There are many types and brands of these organic forms and the like. Xylitol actually exists in our bodies and is in fruit naturally. It also repairs your teeth. Some like it and it is the only one that is 5 carbon based so it is alkaline enhancing and antimicrobial to the body.  A little link to read on it.  

http://www.angelfire.com/az/sthurston/xylitol_natural_sweetener.html

This is what i use for my own use so i can only speak for myself on likes or dislikes and not trying to push any specific product.
Hope this helps some

[VGER321]

Ohh i had another link to give you some more info on how bad sugar is for you

http://www.angelfire.com/az/sthurston/sugar_addiction.html

Its an eye opener!!

[mt409]

Hi - thanks for the URL, that's fascinating.  I don't think the sugar addiction applies to me, I truly don't use much of it, not in coffee or tea, don't drink many soft drinks or eat many sweets and I don't eat much processed food.  All the stranger the dramatic effect that a small amount seems to have.  I have had no real problem reducing my intake to a minimum and I'm going to keep it up - many thanks for the info!