How long since you had sugar? How long since you’ll get your next hit? Was your answer to these questions in hours? Minutes? Sugar-addiction is the new buzz word and while loads of people are giving up alcohol this month, many others have tried to kick off 2011 by kicking sugar out of their diet. Mamamia Site Manager Lana is one of them. And she’s been surprised at what’s happened since she did. She writes:
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“If you had to ask my friends to describe me the word “sweet” would be used for sure. Unfortunately they might not say “Lana is really sweet” , in fact it’s far more likely they would say “Lana has a very sweet tooth”
And they ‘d be right. I am the kind of person that can’t sleep if there’s chocolate in the house because it calls me while I’m sleeping, wakes me up and forces me to eat it. I am the kind of person that can drink Diet Coke for breakfast and jam with my toast and sugar in my tea. I am the person that goes into the petrol station to pay for my petrol and comes out with a chocolate.
So what on earth would propel me to try and give up sugar?
I’d been doing a bit of reading because I was feeling stale, de-energised and like I was carrying too much weight. But most worrying was that I was obsessed with food. Food was on my mind all the time – recipes, meal ideas, chocolate/bread/noodles, what I could eat for snack/lunch/dinner/ just because I deserved it. I loved and resonated with all the books on emotional eating and many times I sat in front of my fridge literally pleading with Geneen Roth, author of Breaking Free from Emotional Eating to help me. I understand my emotional issues with food – I even explained them to my open fridge but it did not help the fact that I spent too much time obsessing.
The Sweet Poison Quit Plan by David Gillespie
I came across David Gillespie’s book The Sweet Poison Quit Plan mainly because I was drawn to the delicious looking cupcake on the cover and then I opened it and I read his opening sentence “Sugar makes you fat. It is converted directly to fat by your liver and it destroys your appetite control so that you want to eat more of everything.”
I was hooked, I know that I always want to eat more of everything and I wanted to know why my appetite control was basically non existent and whether my sugar consumption was part of my obsession with food. The book explains how sugar is metabolized and illustrates how sugar is added to almost every single thing on our supermarket shelves but it also offers a plan to give up sugar (and thereby regulate your appetite) and I do so love a plan. I planned to get over my obsession with food.
Turns out the plan was simple. I was to stop eating anything that tasted sweet and spend what seems like eons in the aisle every time I went shopping to check the sugar levels in packaged foods because there is sugar in almost everything you eat so you need to check the content is really low. Like really really low – less than 3gms per 100grams.
I have been off sugar for 10 days and it is as hard as David Gillespie told me it would be. Well he didn’t tell me that as such but his book certainly suggests that sugar withdrawal is hard. I feel exhausted, I am still highly emotional (this may just be me), I feel a little bit edgy and somehow unsatisfied – like I just want a cupcake with icing. Lots of icing. And little silver balls . But it is not hunger and I only feel this dissatisfaction after I have eaten.
But, there are pluses – heaps of people (well three) have mentioned that my skin looks clear, fresher, more vibrant (and I haven’t even asked them).
And there is this: the exact thing I was looking for. I don’t think about food all the time. I just forget to think about it. I eat of course but more out of hunger and less out of habit.
I would still love to dip my teaspoon in a jar of nutella and inhale (Gillespie reckons it takes most people 3 to 4 weeks to withdraw totally and get over those cravings) but this desire for liquid chocolate is not knocking on my head all day long.
It worries me a little because I realise sugar was a crutch. Just like nicotine was once. Now I don’t smoke and I am not eating sugar I am not sure how I will deal with a crisis, but hopefully soon my sugar levels wont be quite so crazy and life will seem less crisis filled and more even keeled.
In the meantime I am discovering a new way of eating, not feeling fantastic YET but at least my focus is expanding (and hopefully my waist isn’t)
By Lana Hirschowitz
About the Author: Lana was destined to a life of editing and organisation when her parents named her Anal. It was just a fortuitous twist of luck that the person drawing up the birth certificate wrote backwards so she has always been known as Lana.
Lana wants to be a writer when she “grows up” and also work on the fact that she cries very easily. She is married and is the mother to a very beautiful son and a very spoiled dog. In her spare time Lana writes for her own blog which lives here.
Do you think you could be addicted to sugar? Do you think it is even a bad thing?
Comments
282 Comments so far
Check out Sarah Wilson’s books as well – I used these books in conjunction with David’s book – very helpful!
http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/category/i-quit-sugar/
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I gave it up about 3 months ago using L-Glutamine to help with cravings. I now have very little desire for sweet foods & have kicked my addiction. Along the way I have lost 10kg, felt fitter, healthier, more energised, can run faster & longer & haven’t had a single digestion problem- something I have struggled with for 8 yrs since having my gall bladder removed!! I will eat dessert again on the odd occasion but am so happy I have found a way to live healthy!! Won’t work for all but works for me…..& icaneat cheese & other foods I have avoided for years!!
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But, but…this seems so boring!! I see all these people giving up sugar, alcohol, gluten etc etc and saying they improve their health but so often it seems like they’re giving up FUN too. I guess I must be lucky in that there’s no food or drink that consumes me- I can take or leave most things tho I have my favorites. It just…I’m not trying to be judgmental but it seems so sad to me that we’re so obsessed about good and bad foods and our bodies that we forget to enjoy the ride. I like to try and ‘do a bit of everything’. EVERY thing, the good and the bad. I might do some yoga or go for a walk or I might have too many wines or a decadent dessert. I don’t want to have to obsess over every single thing I eat or do, it seems like a whole lot of depravation for what- no headaches? A smaller waist? Not worth it in my opinion. I’d rather pop a panadol or have a bit more belly than obsess that much over one aspect of my life. That’s just me- I know others might find conquering their diet a fulfilling thing. It just seems like another thing to beat ourselves up over. Like that scene in Eat, Pray, Love when she says “I have no interest in bein obese. I’m just through with the guilt.” I feel like this ‘sugar is poison’ movement is just another guilt suitcase to lug around.
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Oh dear God I need this book!!
Thanks Lana!
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Been sugar free for around 3 years. With minor PMS exceptions. All sugars – lactose, sucrose, carbs etc. Read Healing Naturally by Bee. Far more emotional balanced, lost 25kg and energy levels back. Sugar is poison.
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Sorry if this is rude but how do you poo without fruit or grains?! If I go more than a day without a piece of fruit I’m so uncomfortable!
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AWESOME article! I am totally addicted to sugar. I need to read this book. Thank you. All the best to Lana. Sounds like a fantastic book.
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“I came across David Gillespie’s book The Sweet Poison Quit Plan mainly because I was drawn to the delicious looking cupcake” – haha awesome, I love your honesty!
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I just came across this article on Twitter…I read David’s book about a year ago and cut out sugar completely almost a year ago to the day.
After a few months, I introduced it again, only when going out to dinner I would have dessert, or I would have a couple of squares of dark chocolate a night, which was fine.
After christmas last year – I totally fell off the bandwagon and ate everything with sugar in site!
However, before when I was eating sugar, I felt completely out of control with my appetite, felt weak if I didn’t eat, etc etc.
I’ve now reintroduced sugar, by having gluten free museli in the mornings and I can assure you, it keeps me much fuller and feeling better than the only breakfast food foods I could eat when off sugar – weetbix and toast.
I feel more in control of my appetite now, but I’m not going to deprive myself. When I start to feel hungry mid morning – I have a coffee. Generally I will eat three meals a day with no snacking like I used to, and sometimes yes, I will have a cupcake or a choccie bar, but I am far more in control than I was before.
Whilst I did follow david’s book completley for awhile – I now think that I am ok with sugar in moderation. I do completely agree that some get to a point where they are completely addicted (I definately did) and need to stop cold turkey for awhile. But in moderation – 1-3 times a week – you can’t deprive yourself forever!
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I like the idea of this, but to me, any diet is a bad diet.
What happens after a month of no sugar when I cant bear it any more? Or when it’s my birthday and someone bakes me a cake and gives me chocolates? I’ll be right back on the sugar train.
Im reading a book, though I havent yet finished, that I’m really enjoying. It’s educating me. I never learnt how to really eat well and this book: Eat Chocolate, Drink Alcohol, and be Lean and Healthy. By Andrew Jobling, let’s you still eat bad stuff, but do it properly. It’s like Weight Watchers, but free. And no points.
I think it’s going to be an easier plan to follow that cutting sugar out completely. Even though I know I’m an addict.
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Lana, you inspired me! I too am a sugar addict, I bought the book and am now on day 3 of no sugar…
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so how’s it going so far?!
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PS – I also discovered that when I gave up sugar, my PMS practically disappeared. And I’m evil then. This month – much less sugar, practically no PMS. Hmmmm – food for thought!
As a Kiwi would say – sweeeeet! 
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Me too KiwiGirl – I got an IUD at about the same time as I quite sugar, and put the lack of PMT down to that. But the last month I have been eating minor quantities of sugar again, and am bloated, tense, tired, cranky and did I mention tired and cranky. Back off the sugar for me again, not looking forward to the next 3 days!
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I’m giving it up again. Did so a few years ago when recovering from an auto immune disorder. Felt loads better and lost 8 kgs. Went into remission recently, felt even better, decided to step off my strict eating regime (NOT a diet, just healthy eating) and started eating sugar again. Bang, those 8 kgs are back again AND I feel like crap. No energy. Hungry all the time, even when I can’t possibly be, having just eaten.
It’s not easy but it is doable, so I’m doing it … again!
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This is a post of great interest to me as I read this book in July of last year and the light bulb went on – I was SO addicted to sugar. So, since then I have tried the sugar-free diet and it has worked for me. I have lost 14 kilos and my skin looks great. It was hard over Christmas but I didn’t beat myself up, I still had small portions of desserts. But I found most were quite sickly and I didn’t really enjoy them. I still find it hard not to eat any baking or desserts but Im determined to do this for 1 year and then re-evaluate.
I drink mostly green tea and lots of water. Limit my fruit intake, no dried fruit except for a few dates occasionally!
And also the other thing I do try to do is no snacking between meals. It saves a bit of money too!
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Okay – all for eating healthily – but what happened to carbs being bad for you, or macrobiotic being the only way to go, or lean protein being all you should eat? At what point do you just think ‘enough’?
If you followed everything over the years that was meant to be bad for you you’d be eating no sugar, no fat, no dairy, no starchy vegetables, no carbs….which leaves you with – what?
that stupid cabbage soup diet? Or that lemon/water one? (or do the lemons contain too much sugar?)
Its just a bit too much.
Reducing your calorie intake (ie. not eating sugar which is very high in calories) will reduce your weight, as well as reduce the low blood sugar crashes that happen post sugary foods (ie depression, mood swings etc)
As for skin – aren’t we always told that bad skin isn’t actually caused by diet but by what our hormones and pores are doing? Or is that now wrong as well?
I’m sure not eating white refined sugar and foods which contain this (which are generally by their nature high in bad fats too) and replacing them with more solid substantial food would help immensley with feeling full and not obsessing about food.
This just strikes me as another crash diet that could be dangerous for anyone who is already obsessed with fat and carbs…remove the sugar and you’re going into starvation mode then.
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Re: bad skin and hormones
Sugar actually has a major effect on your hormones, especially as we all know, Insulin production, and also Adrenaline.
So it makes sense that by avoiding sugar will help stabilise your hormones and improve your skin condition
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dude, the book isn’t about carbs being bad. it’s about processed sugar being addictive.
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Ok. Deep breath. After reading a lot of the comments here I’ve just gone onto Booktopia and ordered The Quit Plan. I really don’t think I can give up my sugar addiction – but I’m willing to at least read about it and think about it…. I’m scared already!
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I recently read this book and am going to attempt cold turkey, I’ve been following the eat right for your type diet recently and I’m already feeling great with that alone, I figure going sugar free is just the next step! It’s looking to be quite restrictive though, as I’m not eating any wheat, corn products or rye at the moment. Does anyone know if quinoa is high in sugar or not? I’m assuming no, but after reading this book I’m not sure as sugar really is in everything!
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Don’t forget not all sugars are the same – you have sucrose, fructose and glucose. there is nothing wrong with having fruit as long as you have the whole fruit, the fibre will slow the breakdown down. it’s more the juice that is doesn’t. that sort of thing.
quinoa has other benefits that would outweight any sugar content it may have.
i’m pro going off refined sugar and i don’thave fake chemical sweeteners too, i think those are bad. but i think some people go overboard with the “no fruit”.
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totally agree with ther evils of sugar. However, we are told to not eat saturated fat, sugar, go easy on the carbs… then what do we eat? Vegetables?
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Saturated fats..animal fats are OK. Out of everything, this is what we have evolved to eat.
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Only if you are doing as much exercise as our ancestors did, which btw nobody is. So many proper scientific studies have shown the large benefits of plant oils (like olive oil) over animal fats.
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I read a book in the 70s called “Pure, White and Deadly” which made me wary of sugar. My husband became diabetic in the late 80s so I learned to read labels. A kilo of sugar lasts us over a year – I do like making cakes for friends and other family, but not often. Once you don’t use sugar often, the taste of it in food becomes repulsive.
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I have read that book. I definitely have a sweet tooth but over the last 5 of years, I have been a lot more mindful of sugar intake. I think you can’t help but be, once you learn a bit about nuitrition.
I love chocolate but I have converted myself to the dark stuff (hello 85% cocoa Lindt chocolate!) and now I find the average chocky bar too sweet. It took a while but now I’m there. I keep a block in my desk at work and have a square when 3:30itis strikes or when I am PMSing!
Another big thing I did a couple of years ago is stop having sugar in coffee. I used to have 2 teaspoons of sugar! It also took a while (went down to one teaspoon first, then none) and I will never look back. I know a lot of people have Equal or Splenda in their coffee but that stuff is NASTY, probably far worse than sugar! OK for cooking once in a while, but not for coffee every day.
And the only soft drink I ever have is sparkling mineral water. There is nothing redeeming about soft drinks – NOT A THING. (Unless it is diet tonic in a G&T!) I love a fresh juice once in a while but cordial and soft drinks are just lolly water.
I am by no means perfect – AT ALL – and I still have a long way to go to completely fix my eating habits. But these were the hardest changes I ever made and they have lasted, even 5 years later. So can I encourage those of you who want to give up sugar to do these simple things. I’m probably saving myself 50g of sugar a day just with that (and 50g is 10 teaspoons of sugar!)
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I promise, after about 10 it’s much easier. A few years ago for some pretty boring health reasons I cut out all white carbs and all sugar. (though I confess, I was a bit rubbish at cutting out wine- a glass or two of red was both an indulgence- and probably what kept me sane). I found frozen blueberries were an excellent quick jolt when I needed something sweet- still love them.
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you sort of need sugar in your diet, like you need everything else…
I eat sugar; have always eaten sugar, will always eat sugar. And meat, and vegetables, and fruits, and carbs, and butter, and chocolate. And i drink coffee. With sugar in it. OMG what a freak i am.
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If I absolutely had to I would try to cut sugar out of some part of my diet but 2 sugars in my coffee is VERY IMPORTANT! 1 sugar is gross. I imagine no sugars is grosser. Even 2 “level” sugars is so so. Mmmmm 2 sugars…..
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I most definitely have an issue with sugar, namely marshmallows. Can easily eat a pack a day. Mum told me a while ago these chimps (in a zoo) became extremely overweight as they were given heaps of marshmallows! Weird and not sure why I remember that.\
Amazing though how great fruit tastes, when its your only source of sugar.
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I am a complete sugar addict. I am 50 kg and 25 years old, however I feel like sweets after breakfast, lunch and dinner and sometimes have chocolate or ice cream as often.
I also do yoga and am in a bit of a low period at the moment, no time, too busy at work and no time for myself after work. When I do a lot more yoga, like 4-5 tims per week I don’t crave sugar and always feel way more energised generally but oh well i guess we all have ups and downs with looking after ourselves!
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is it wrong to read this post as you are licking nutella off a spoon?
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haha I am eating a block of chocolate while reading!
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nope, I was eating my marshmallows while reading this… but it did make me notice how yucky I was feeling from them.
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How wierd! You’ll never guess who I just had lunch with. David Gillespie, author of Sweet Poison. And lunch was a blast. Seriously.
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Anyone else around here fructose intolerant? I haven’t met anyone else and I’m wondering how you manage it. I find it easy in theory but very tough in practice.
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I do have a problem with fructose and FODMAPS more generally. There is a really good yahoo group you should join, fructose malabsorption australia. They know a lot about it and there are good reading materials there.
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Yep, I found it crazy hard at first to manage, but it’s gotten easier over time. I only drink water and my staple foods are rice, potatoes, and fresh meat. I choose brands and products which are fructose friendly and desserts which are sugar-free.
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Is it really true that sugar makes you fat? I’ve met lots of people who eat sugar and are thin. How so? The other thing I notice is that the pictures, here it is a doughnut, other times chocolate, of what people are giving up when they give up sugar is also fat and total calories. How then can it be claimed that it is the sugar that makes us fat? I’ve not met anyone, in my over 30 years working in the health industry, who sits eating bowls of sugar. I have met people who get their straight sugar through coke or other soft drinks. These are often accompanied by fries or burgers or other foods. So again is it simply sugar that makes us fat. Definitely not however it does sell books.
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Sometimes, if I forget to take a book or something to a cafe, and am bored whole waiting for my food, I will do “sugar shots” using the stuff put in coffee etc. I haven’t done this in a while.. Couple years?
Yes, it’s disgusting. No, you shouldn’t do it. Yes, I’d do it again if hired without thinking. Weirdly, I don’t take sugar in my coffee/tea..
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This is a great topic. I’m still eating sugar but definitely making an effort to eat mindfully and only when I am hungry. We just eat too much crap these days!
I was so delighted when a mum friend came yesterday to bring her preschooler for a play and she DIDN’T BRING ANYTHING with her. Good on her… too often people feel they have to bring something and it’s often crap in a pack or a big teacake… who needs it?! Rant over… and out.
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Keep at it Lana, I was exactly the same as you re sugar, I even baked cupcakes competitivly and won. So now imagine having to bake them to defend my title but not be able to eat them!
But the thing is this. I feel so much better and I look so much better that I don’t even WANT to put them in my mouth, its not worth it.
And this is totally un-researched, but I was feeling a little blue, not enough to seek help I don’t think, but the waves of depression were starting to engulf me and I’m not sure if it is sugar, but since cutting it out I have been feeling so much happier and clearer…. Good luck..EJ xo
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What about alcohol?
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is also another way of getting sugar.
Have you ever noticed if you get into the habit of having a drink every day for a week or so, and then don’t drink you spend the first few days afterwards craving sugar.
My theory is it’s because you’re no longer getting the sugar from the alcohol.
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It’s large quantities of fructose that is evil.
Alcohol does not contain fructose.
Read Sweet Poison and it’ll all make sense.
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! And not just something like a fruit more like a pack of jellybean…I don’t know why this is but I suspect that alcohol interfers with your blood suger levels.
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I’m doing the no sugar thing as well. I’d tried to do it many times before, but I always allowed myself treats. Of course one Tim Tam wasn’t enough so I’d eat the whole packet… This time I’ve gone completely cold turkey (except for one serve of low sugar fruit each day) and I feel better than ever.
I still have hormonal acne but it’s almost unnoticeable because there’s no redness and my skin is glowing. I’m eating more (good) fats than ever and still losing weight. I have so much energy and I’m sleeping like a log.
The fruit thing seems to be quite controversial, but it makes sense to me. It’s not something we were meant to eat a lot of. A handful of, say, berries here and there is all our bodies were ever meant to consume.
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I’ve read Sweet Poison (not the Sweet Poison Quit Plan), and I have to say it’s very intriguing.
It’s funny because none of this information is new. I read an article by an American cardiologist a few years ago about how fructose is a major contributor to heart disease because it raises blood levels of triglycerides and increases cholesterol levels. He received quite some rebuttal from High Fructose Corn Syrup manufacturers.
It’s a shame that so many are dismissing this as a fad, because we forget how much sugar is hidden in our food. I looked at a bottle of tomato sauce and it has almost 3x the amount of sugar per ml than in coke!!! Granted I don’t drink 375ml of t-sauce, but if I smother my eggs (yes), or the like, in 65ml of t-sauce then there’s half a can of coke right there.
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Damn! I consider tomato sauce a major food group. I’d convinced myself it was healthy because of all the Lycopene.
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A few months ago I read Sweet Poison (the first book). It was actually a really great read and it changed the way I eat. I had NO idea sugar was the enemy!!! It is definitely a bad thing. I don;t think I was addicted but here I was making my life a misery keeping fat intake down while merrily spreading jam, honey on wheatbix, scoffing lemon vaalia yoghurt, drinking fresh juice, having dessert 3 times a week, couple of squares of chocolate with my nightly bed/book cuppa tea and devouring scones/cakes/slices/tim tams if they were offered. I don’t eat sugar anymore and don’t miss it. It hasn’t been hard. If I feel like a sweet thing I have a peice of fresh fruit. And it is so much more satisfying. I find most food tastier now and my appetite (previously massive) has approached normal. No more flatulance from overeating here either! Some habits are hard to break – my nightly bed companion is a single square of Lindt 85% dark chocolate (which I find less bitter than I used to) and peppermint tea. Lost 4kg down to 55kg which is a comfortable weight for 5ft 2inches, I suspect I will lose more. I’m also avoiding processed foods and eat more fats and oils. My personality has been affected. I think more clearly however I sill lose my patience and unhinge occasionally with the kids…but not as much as before. Minimal anxiety/depression. RE fruit containing fructose (which is the enemy). A few peices of fruit won;t hurt. David Gillespie says that the effects of fructose consumed in fruit is reduced by the fibre which slows down the digestion. Plus fruit has lots of great vitamins, phytochemicals etc.
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“Sugar makes you fat. It is converted directly to fat by your liver and it destroys your appetite control so that you want to eat more of everything.”
Oh my God. It didn’t even occur to me that there might be a reason that I’m so bloody greedy. I didn’t think that I had a sugar problem, but maybe I do. I always thought that I was more of a fatty foods craver, but I’m sitting here gulping sugar-filled coffee and not long ago polished of a yummy cupcake. Thanks Lana for giving me an eye opener!
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From a regular family block of chocolate in one sitting, continually thinking about food and always looking for a sugar fix, hiding treats from the rest of the family so I wouldn’t have to share (oh does that sound like an addict’s behaviour?) I read the book, gave up sugar on the day after boxing day and haven’t looked back since. Sleep well, not thinking about food as much, lost a couple of kgs, less bloated, NO FLATULENCE and oh, my family is all the better for it. We don’t need it and it is everywhere!
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Can you eat fruit? Is that not just “sugar”. A diet without fruit is not going to be healthy….
What about vegetables? Starchy ones have carbohydrate, even the low GI ones.
I’m just a bit mystified?!
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Really, does a person have to eat fruit to be healthy? Veggies yes, but if you’re eating plenty of veggies, what is the benefit of fruit?
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Fruit is wonderful, that’s why.
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I did a three day fruit fast in Novemeber last year and felt completely amazing. I was really skeptical, thinking that I would feel hungry and tired, however it was the complete opposit. My skin was so clear and I had so much energy.
I love veggies but I couldn’t survive on them like I could on delicious fruit meals.
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I agree!! Fruit is one of the best things about being alive. I LIVE for Aussie summer fruit! I know lots of people don’t like it, and they are totally missing out!
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Yup you can eat fruit – but not too much and the book suggests that you eat fruit with a high fibre content – berries, kiwi fruit and pears are best.
I think the whole push is really away from heavily processed foods and towards more natural whole foods so vegetables are highly recommended
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That’s good. There are just SO many nutrients that you get easily from fruit. Vegies are good too, but you need to eat A LOT to get all you need from them instead of fruit. Like vitamin C – that would be a worry.
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This lecture goes on for over an hour but he talks about the differnet sugars and mentions that juice and coke have the same sugar in them but if you eat the whole fruit you’re getting the fibre which slows it down.
Dr RObert Lustig, a childhood obesity specialist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM
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I used to have a sweet tooth, now I don’t. I’m still overweight because my output is less than my input. I sit on my bum all day at work. Even though I don’t eat huge amounts, this is enough.
I think we’re programmed to search for sugary things because high calorie foods were harder to get when we were scavenging for food. Cooking also makes food more digestible.
Best of luck, but I agree with Amandarose
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I don’t believe these totally cut out diets work long term. Unstustainable and you end up falling off the wagon sooner or later.
I would just cut back in sugar- the odd sweet treat will stop you feeling deprived. On lite n easy you still get the odd sweet yogurt or cookie or pan cake. That is the key t a good diet. Moderation
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To Lana and Friday (and anybody else who has given up sugar) – can you give a quick run-down of the sorts of things you eat each day.
I’m trying to get healthier and lose weight at the moment. I’m using Calorie King (www.calorieking.com.au) which has been fantastic as a motivator for me – and it really is working.
I’d like to see how a sugar-free diet compares to how I’ve been eating lately. Also – what do you do when you go out for dinner?
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I am not a great person to ask because I am a vegetarian and lactose intolerant so my choices are more limited but I mostly eat eggs and toast for breakfast, lunch could be salad (with dressing that I make with no sugar and no balsamic vinegar cos that is really bad), a sandwich, I usually eat rice but that is just because I love it.
I make stir fries (but only using soy sauces – all the other sauces have a very high sugar content), I eat vegetable stews, salads, pasta… anything really but I think that the trick is making the food yourself so that you know exactly what goes into it….
You would be surprised at the amount of sugar in condiments and everyday foods. Pacakaged foods is what gets you
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I”m a veggo as well. I find those high protein diets are useless because they ban things like beans and lentils and rice which i need to make a complete amino chain with other sources for my protein.
Tomato sauce has quite a bit of sugar in it, so i just have a nice ripened tomato as my subsitute (eg instead of eggs with tomato sauce, have a nice ripe tomato, you get the taste but i’ts natural).
I do like balsamic vineager though but i just don’t have a lot of it. Lemon juice, salt and pepper are great as a dressing, or hell i love the vegetables without dressing, i hate nice fresh veggies drowing in oil
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Don;t worry about calories. Don;t worry about fats/oils so much. When you give up sugary things your appetite will decrease. Eat more vegetables, some meat, a few peices of fruit, eggs, nuts. Whatever – just avoid/reduce processed foods/refined carbs. “OMG Can I Eat That” or “Food with out the Boombah” (Jane Kennedy) are great books for recipe ideas.
My Ideal Day:
eggs, mushroom, spinach scrambled for breakfast
an orange for snack
tuna salad for lunch
a kiwi fruit and nuts for snack
Jane Kennedy’s Chicken parma (almond meal instead of bread crumbs) with salad for dinner.
a single square of Lindt 85% dark choclate for dessert
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my chicken parma i don’t put any coating on it at all, just the chicken breast, then tomato
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Incorporate avocados into your diet. They are super healthy, provide so many nutrients AND are incredibly satiating.
Almost every day for lunch I’ll eat two ryvita crackers, topped with half an avocado and smoked salmon…. it’s so satisfying and I stay full for hours.
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I’ve been sugar free for about a month now and my skin is completely clear (feel comfortable walking around without foundation/concealer for the first time ever), my clothes are looser and what’s best is my energy levels are HIGH.
My typical day (N.B. I’m a vego (but I do eat seafood))…
Breakfast – berries and yogurt (full fat, Greek style) with pepitas and torn up mint or porridge (no honey/sugar) with chopped nuts. Long black coffee (mmm – a morning MUST) no sugar.
Lunch – salad with either tinned tuna/salmon or smoked salmon or salad with avacado and chickpeas/4 bean mix
Dinner – Steamed vegies with grilled prawns/calamari/baked fish
Snacks – raw nuts/a pear or green apple and 2L of water throughout the day.
There’s a cafe I love that makes their chai lattes from their own chai mix – black tea leaves and all the spices (i.e. cinnamon, cardamon, ginger, etc) – no powders or syrups. They’re amazing. I have one of these a couple of times a week.
When I eat out I generally order seafood. It’s not much of an issue. If friends are ordering dessert and I feel like something I might order a cheese platter (if it’s offered).
I haven’t had processed sugar (except for Christmas pud and a piece of birthday cake or two) for a few years now. I lost weight, but could never shift the last few kilos. Why? I was eating sooo much fruit – I’m talking a bunch of grapes, a mango, a couple of plums and a nectarine, a handful of strawberries every day. Unprocessed yes, but still way too much sugar. I now stick to two servings of high fibre/low sugar fruit (i.e. berries, green apples, pears). It was hard at first – walking past aisles of beautiful summer fruits (I think I’d rather go fresh food market shopping than shop for clothes
but after the first few days it was much easier.
Hope that helps.
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I’ma vego but i eat seafood?
OH god not another one.
I’m going to capitalise this because I am so sick of people who say this.
VEGETARIANS DO NOT EAT SEAFOOD!
IF YOU EAT ONLY SEAFOOD AS YOUR MEAT SOURCE THEN YOU ARE A PESCETARIAN.
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We try to eat real food, make everything (mostly) from scratch. Our appetites are vastly different now to when we first started so this might seem like not much to eat.
For breakfast
An egg & piece of bacon
snack
piece of fruit
lunch
2 cruskits with a generous amount of cottage cheese (full fat) tuna (in olive oil)
snack
small handful of nuts..almonds, brazil, macadamias
or fruit
dinner
steamed, stirfried or roasted veges with a meat dish.
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I don’t really subscribe to the idea of cutting out an entire food from your diet, but I was recently amazed at how a cafe catered for a sugar-free friend.
I was at a kitchen tea for a friend’s wedding, so the food was macaroons, cupcakes and scones. All completel delicious and all very high in sugar. Before arriving, they’d been told that we had two gluten-free people, a vegetarian and someone who was sugar-free.
They had special plates for all these people, and the sugar-free stuff looked delicious, and we were assured it was – smoked salmon sandwichs on home-made bread and two other things I can’t remember. I was really impressed by the service.
So often it’s just a case of asking for people to accommodate you, and giving them enough notice to do so. Going sugar-free might mean it’s more difficult to just drop in somewhere for a meal, but if you tell them when you’re booking, and be sure to call when they have time to talk, most restaurants should be able to accommodate you.
Good luck, Mumof2!
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TBH I’m not really interested in totally giving up sugar I just wanted to see how a sugar-free diet compares with a diet that is low in calories and fat.
My own personal view is that I don’t see how a diet that is sugar-free is any more beneficial that a diet that is low in sugar, low in calories and well-balanced.
I would say that the most beneficial part of a sugar-free diet is that fact that you are eating food in it’s purest form and with the least amount of ‘human interference’.
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I have bought and am in the process of reading the books. They make for interesting reading. I am of the thought that of course if you cut out X food group or ingredient then you will lose weight but it is interesting to see how your body processes (and fails to recognise fructose) sugar.
I have no desire to give up sugar in the form of fruit, chocolate and baked goods – as long as the latter two stick to being a “sometimes” food I can’t see the issue – but I am concerned about the amount that is hidden in foods you would not associate with being sweet – condiments in particular. I went and checked various items in the cupboards and was pretty surprised to see the sugar content of some, and also the variation between brands – we have two types of soy sauce and one has nearly double the amount of sugar as the other! It’s friggin soy sauce, why does it even have sugar?!
I’m also not convinced that it’s a good idea labeling fruit as a “be wary” food due to its high sugar/fructose content, we shouldn’t feel bad about eating something natural like fruit.
However, i will definitely be being more thorough about checking the labels of things I buy that I previously hadn’t thought about containing sugar.
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Stuff has sugar in it as it enhances flavour and works to balance other flavours. Try throwing a teaspoon if sugar in bolognese sauce for eg (no, I don’t).
So, if you’re buying pre-prepared bolognese sauces for eg, check the panel for sugR in that too.
I grew up with a grandmother with diabetes… It was just easier to cook from scratch!
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To Lana and Friday (and anybody else who has given up sugar) – can you give a quick run-down of the types of food you are eating each day.
I am trying to get healthier and lose weight at the moment. I’m using Calorie King (www.calorieking.com.au) which has so far been fantastic and I’m losing bit by bit each week. Counting calories of everything I eat has been a real eye-opener.
I’d just be interested to know how much current eating compares with what you’re eating – I wonder if I could really do it? Also what do you do when you go out for dinner?
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To quote Carrie- I have an addiction, sir!
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I’m scared to death of giving up sugar, it’s my emotional crutch. I’m also scared of 3 weeks of withdrawal while in a ridiculously busy period of life. However, I know I need t change, and I think this book sounds like it deserves a look. I just have to look at it as a way to feel better and spend less money rather than pressuring myself about my weight.
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Ok, have gone out and bought the book and started reading. It does make sense, but I’m going to leave the col turkey approach til after my birthday next week. For now, I’m going to gather the info.
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hey im the same boat as you and starting uni!! i think, take each minute/hour/day as it comes and remind us that theres a better life/body/state of mind waiting
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I gave up sugar 18 months ago to feel healthier and I’ve never felt better. I lasted 3 months, then the Christmas Day pudding was my undoing!
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Its true- sugar is poison!!!
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lol……….
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I’m an addict! So much so that at this time last year, I got hypnotised to stop eating chocolate…After the festive season I just kept inhaling it to the point it was out of control. And I haven’t eaten any since seeing the hypnotherapist.
I’ve considered reading this book (and probably will now after reading other people’s success stories here), but I worry as well about substitutions – yes I don’t eat chocolate anymore, but I tell you what, there’s always something there to replace it! Caramel sundae instead of chocolate, jersey caramels instead of smaries, peanut butter instead of nutella…
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please let me know where to find the hypnotherapist. I think its the only thing that will help me. I am an out and out sugar addict and I cant stop, I really need help!
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same! i need the hypnotist.
god thats scary to write!
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There’s plenty of reputable ones around. Try the Australian Psychological Society for a referral near you (they only refer psychologists who are trained hypnotherapists also), or look up the yellow pages. Hypnotherapy isn’t regulated in Australia, so I would check what credentials the one you contact has. I would go with one that has done a post grad diploma or degree course, rather than anything less rigorous (I’m a trained psychologist and hypnotherapist). If anyone wants to know anything about hypnosis, fire away and I’m happy to answer any questions or send you some information sheets to read.
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Yes! i have many questions. can we start with…how does it work? can you really stop me looking at the offie biscuit tin at 11am and say ‘ i need you’ .
i would like to get there!
I keep doing some NLP type stuff to myself, but i crumble at the monte carlos. and the twirls at the servo.
i’m not even hungry & all i want is a biscuit right now. and to fit into my jeans again
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Very hard question to answer re how it works, as it can be very different for different people. There’s 2 main aspects. One is the state of deep relaxation where inhibitions are removed and you become very susceptible to suggestion. Thus if you’ve worked beforehand with the hypnotherapist on behavioural changes, they can be fed back into the session under hynosis, and you’re much more likely to take then on. The other is the opportunity to discover (through the counselling aspect of hypnotherapy, plus through the actual hypnosis itself) the genesis of your problem, and thus work towards fixing it. Hypnosis feels amazing. It’s like a dream, but you still feel in control. Totally lovely. Most hypnotherapists don’t ask you to talk while hypnotised (it’s quite hard to do actually) so it’s a very peaceful experience. I had hypnosis for eating issues (long before I became a practitioner myself) and after leaving the session, it took 3 weeks before I even thought about chocolate etc again! My advice is to have a series of sessions, then back it up about 5-6 weeks after you finish, even if you don’t feel you need to. It’s my experience with clients that the 1-2 “backup” sessions really helps to cement the behavioral change. Anything else you want to know? Happy to help.
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Hi chellebelle, i just came across this – looks fascinating! are you sydney based by any chance? i want to try this!
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A life without scones with jam and cream is not a life I want to live
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Oh yum how i wish we had scones in france…
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The other day I had lunch with a girl who is sugar free and we had scones (they really don’t contain that much sugar in the first place) with smashed fresh raspberries (no added sugar) and cream (likewise, no added sugar). perfect!
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I am sitting here contemplating whether to:
a) go and get a frozen icecream (with 15g of sugar) to eat while I keep browsing the net, or
b) do my exercise DVD (which I am trying to justify not doing because in an hour I have to go and pick up my car from getting serviced)
Help! Quick everyone, encourage me to be healthy! :p
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Don’t do it Jenna! xxx
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I used to have terrible skin. Between all the doctors and naturopaths I saw, they consistently said I should give up sugar. Sugar causes inflammation – therefore causing redness, weight gain and the like, depending on the person. Inflammation can also make you feel sluggish. I feel so much better not having it. When I do have something like a chocolate bar, I feel exhausted and get headaches from the sugar intake. Glad to be rid of it!
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I am a bit suspicious of this if it advocates not eating more than 2 pieces of fruit a day.
I’m all for giving up white sugar but I don’t think any fruit in it’s natural form can be bad.
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Why are grapes known to be “so bad”?? I LOVE them and I don’t like fruit, and the only sugar in it is natural!
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the basis of the argument is that it is fructose (the sugar found in fruit) that is bad for us as our body does not recognise it as a sugar the way it does glucose and lactose.
And as for grapes, they are high in fructose but low in fibre.
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Thanks for the explanation but I’m still not convinced.
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run over to sarah wilson’s blog – she explains it really well. basically our bodies were never created to break down the fructose, hunters & gatherers never at much fruit so now it freaks out our bodies.
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yes but bodies also adapt. we used to have a tail, then we didn’t need it so our bodies evolved to have no tail (and the appendix is now something that isn’t used/needed, i’m sure the younger generations will not be born with one).
i find th ehunter/gatherer argument somewhat spurious. certainly it’s important for a history/background but we have evolved as a species, too.
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grapes have a high level of antioxidants and vitamins, they are good for you.
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and the grape skins (red grapes!) contain resveratrol too – raises good cholesterol and heart healthy because it prevents blood clot formation.
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Agree. Any diet plan that advocates NOT eating fresh fruit or vegetables sounds like a fad to me. People – enjoy your grapes!!
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It says try to limit your fruit to 2 pieces a day (due to the fructose in the fruit). It doesn’t advocate NOT eating fresh fruit and vegetables.
I find it strange that people think that cutting out sugar in your diet is considered a fad. We all know sugar is bad for you, surely?
I see it as making people sit up and take notice about just how much sugar they are consuming..not a bad thing considering some of the comments on here. I am very surprised at how many people drinks soft drinks daily. I was shocked myself when I started looking at the food we were eating that had such a high sugar content. It’s in there for a reason. They want you to keep coming back for more.
A little bit of education can’t be a bad thing IMO.
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All for reducing the amount of soft drinks, icing, lollies, chocolate and other refined sugar products. Not in favour of limiting intake of fresh fruit to 2 pieces a day. Completely unnecessary if you don’t eat much of the above.
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It has only been in fairly recent times that fruit has been available all year round. We are not built to have a lot of fruit in our diet. Our recommended dietary intake of fruit and fat has been governed by officialdom who have based their advice on bad science. This bad advice is regurgitated as gospel.
Luckily there are intelligent and inquiring minds out there who have thought to take a look at why this stuff is supposed to be good or bad for us..and what they have discovered is nothing short of mind blowing.
In my opinion.
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Does wine count as grapes?
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My dentist advocates only 2 serves of fruit a day at the most due to the acidity on your teeth
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I agree with you Carolyn – I eat tonnes of fruit (6/7 pieces a day sometimes) but don’t have much of a taste for the other kind of sweets – chocolate, cookies and soft drinks etc. The only time I put on weight and feel unhealthy is when I eat too many of those highly processed high sugar and/or high fat foods that we all know are bad for you.
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