K60, Robin, sugar free people?
- Thread starter jillybean
- Start date
Hey Jillybean, I've been sugar free for 9 1/2 months - completely sugar free. No Honey, no fruit sugar, no milk and completely vegan. Let me tell you first what happens here, my mood - really stabilized. I realized how up and down (just plain moody) I am and I know it has to do with the sugar. Second, once you get passed the painful point (headaches, cravings, snapiness etc....) you really do lose the intense desire for sweets. It WILL come!!!!
I also gave up the high carbs as well and this is all linked together. They all effect your system very much like a diabetic, but with different effects. I ate veggies like lots of fresh spinach, lettuce, salad garnishes (not much carrots as they are high in sugars). I did not eat any dressing on the salad, which I got used to after a while (many contain sugar and I also gave up vinegar which is in most). I know this was really limiting, but I believe my system is much more efficient, even, and stable now. Also, I used to have no control over sugars, if I ate one cookie, I would eat the whole box, one chip meant the whole bag, etc..... It doesn't have the draw that it used to and I feel like I have finally mastered this compulsion. I'm starting to think now that if I ate a dessert once in a while I would be able to handle it, but I'm too scared to find out. The longer you go the easier it gets and once you go one month, you're on a roll. You just get used to not eating it and let me tell you....when you eat raw veggies, and salads, you almost feel empowered, almost like an exercise rush. Put good fuel in and your system will run/feel great, put cr@p in and you will really feel it.
I encourage you to make it through the headaches and such and you will be so glad you did. We'll try to keep you encouraged!!!
Briee
I also gave up the high carbs as well and this is all linked together. They all effect your system very much like a diabetic, but with different effects. I ate veggies like lots of fresh spinach, lettuce, salad garnishes (not much carrots as they are high in sugars). I did not eat any dressing on the salad, which I got used to after a while (many contain sugar and I also gave up vinegar which is in most). I know this was really limiting, but I believe my system is much more efficient, even, and stable now. Also, I used to have no control over sugars, if I ate one cookie, I would eat the whole box, one chip meant the whole bag, etc..... It doesn't have the draw that it used to and I feel like I have finally mastered this compulsion. I'm starting to think now that if I ate a dessert once in a while I would be able to handle it, but I'm too scared to find out. The longer you go the easier it gets and once you go one month, you're on a roll. You just get used to not eating it and let me tell you....when you eat raw veggies, and salads, you almost feel empowered, almost like an exercise rush. Put good fuel in and your system will run/feel great, put cr@p in and you will really feel it.
I encourage you to make it through the headaches and such and you will be so glad you did. We'll try to keep you encouraged!!!
Briee
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jan-21-03 AT 04:20PM (Est)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jan-21-03 AT 04:18Â PM (Est)[/font]
WOW, Briee!!! I'm impressed.
Jillybean, yes, I drink milk, but I've cut back on dairy for other reasons...(as well as other animal products. Altho, I keep them in my diet). What I watch out for (and this goes waaaaay against the Radiant Recovery theory) is potatoes and corn. These 2 things set up cravings for me almost as fast as candy. I have these seldom, altho I do sneak popcorn on the weekends.
I have tons of fruit AND...per Sugarbusters guidelines....I can have some chocolate (a little every day if I have it in the house). It has to be at least 60% cocoa (I up that to 70% at least) and then it won't give you the bad sugar cravings. This can be integrated into the diet AFTER you've lost wt/established this way of eating as a habit/gotten sugar out of your system/whatever. Really, I should wait to lose all my weight till I eat chocolate, but it keeps me sane, I tell ya!!!
So, the good news is (for *ME* anyway), I can still have peanut butter, mayo, chocolate and Sugarbusters ice cream (yes, it's delicious!)...not to mention all the whole grain carbs, veggies, FRUITS, I want. (Oh, and meat, if I so desired.) BTW, if the nutritional info says 3gms or less of sugar per serving (not counting fruits/dairy), then it's OK. I can live with this.
I hope that made SOME sense? Maybe my mentor, K60 will show up!
Edit: Oh, and I don't eat honey. But, I do use Splenda.
Robin http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein_1/flower.gif
WOW, Briee!!! I'm impressed.
Jillybean, yes, I drink milk, but I've cut back on dairy for other reasons...(as well as other animal products. Altho, I keep them in my diet). What I watch out for (and this goes waaaaay against the Radiant Recovery theory) is potatoes and corn. These 2 things set up cravings for me almost as fast as candy. I have these seldom, altho I do sneak popcorn on the weekends.
I have tons of fruit AND...per Sugarbusters guidelines....I can have some chocolate (a little every day if I have it in the house). It has to be at least 60% cocoa (I up that to 70% at least) and then it won't give you the bad sugar cravings. This can be integrated into the diet AFTER you've lost wt/established this way of eating as a habit/gotten sugar out of your system/whatever. Really, I should wait to lose all my weight till I eat chocolate, but it keeps me sane, I tell ya!!! So, the good news is (for *ME* anyway), I can still have peanut butter, mayo, chocolate and Sugarbusters ice cream (yes, it's delicious!)...not to mention all the whole grain carbs, veggies, FRUITS, I want. (Oh, and meat, if I so desired.) BTW, if the nutritional info says 3gms or less of sugar per serving (not counting fruits/dairy), then it's OK. I can live with this.
I hope that made SOME sense? Maybe my mentor, K60 will show up!
Edit: Oh, and I don't eat honey. But, I do use Splenda.
Robin http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein_1/flower.gif
Hi Jillybean!
I hope you don't mind me posting on your message but I wanted to get your thoughts on a plan I have.
Every year I give something up for Lent (I'm not Catholic but it has always been very important to me). For the past 3 years I have given up fried food. The first year it was SO hard but each year it has gotten easier.
So this year, I have decided to give up sweets, all sweets. So I guess I am going to be giving up refined sugar with you! I know that I should just make the committment to do it for myself but Lent gives me a higher power to respect. I know that if I give it up for Lent I will not, under any circumstances, cheat. Then, 40 days will have gone by without sugar and I hope to be at that level that some of these ladies have talked about where I don't even want it anymore.
I wish I could just have one treat per day or week but, like so many have mentioned, I find myself unable to control my quantities.
As to your question: I know I can't give up milk and fruit. I love cereal with skim milk and strawberries WAY too much!
On to what I should plan on cutting out: cookies, cakes, candy etc are all pretty obvious. But what about things like grahm crachers, Go Lean Crunch, peanut butter etc? And what about sugar-free desserts?
If anyone has any insight, I'd appreciate hearing all of your thoughts.
thanks!
Mikie
I hope you don't mind me posting on your message but I wanted to get your thoughts on a plan I have.
Every year I give something up for Lent (I'm not Catholic but it has always been very important to me). For the past 3 years I have given up fried food. The first year it was SO hard but each year it has gotten easier.
So this year, I have decided to give up sweets, all sweets. So I guess I am going to be giving up refined sugar with you! I know that I should just make the committment to do it for myself but Lent gives me a higher power to respect. I know that if I give it up for Lent I will not, under any circumstances, cheat. Then, 40 days will have gone by without sugar and I hope to be at that level that some of these ladies have talked about where I don't even want it anymore.
I wish I could just have one treat per day or week but, like so many have mentioned, I find myself unable to control my quantities.
As to your question: I know I can't give up milk and fruit. I love cereal with skim milk and strawberries WAY too much!
On to what I should plan on cutting out: cookies, cakes, candy etc are all pretty obvious. But what about things like grahm crachers, Go Lean Crunch, peanut butter etc? And what about sugar-free desserts?
If anyone has any insight, I'd appreciate hearing all of your thoughts.
thanks!
Mikie
I eat zippo sugar, honey, corn syrup, all that stuff. I have found mayo, ketchup, and dressings all sugar free 100%. It took some searching but I did it and they are sure worth it.
I drink milk, if you get the lactose free kind that reduces the sugars in it. I eat fruit but mostly low sugar fruits.
Being sugar free is sooooooooooooo worth it. It's changed my whole life for the better.
http://radiantrecovery.com
Edith
I drink milk, if you get the lactose free kind that reduces the sugars in it. I eat fruit but mostly low sugar fruits.
Being sugar free is sooooooooooooo worth it. It's changed my whole life for the better.
http://radiantrecovery.com
Edith
I also try to stick to a sugar-free, low carb diet. There are sugar substitutes you could use such as Stevia, 100% vegetable glycerine and FOS (fructooligosaccharides).
Stevia can be used to sweeten things like tea, coffee and there are cookbooks that show you how to cook with it. You can do things like mix the vegetable glycerin with maple extract to get maple syrup. Studies have shown that FOS is good for you - it maintains healthy intestinal flora i.e it increases the number of friendly bacteria in the colon while simultaneously reducing the population of harmful bacteria.
Lisa
Stevia can be used to sweeten things like tea, coffee and there are cookbooks that show you how to cook with it. You can do things like mix the vegetable glycerin with maple extract to get maple syrup. Studies have shown that FOS is good for you - it maintains healthy intestinal flora i.e it increases the number of friendly bacteria in the colon while simultaneously reducing the population of harmful bacteria.
Lisa
jillybean
Cathlete
RE: Mikie
I have a box of Go Lean Crunch at home right now but haven't opened it yet. I need to read the label to see where the sweetness comes from. I am so moody and sensitive to sugar that I might have to cut all sweets out. I have a theory that if God made it, eat it, but then my husband pointed out to me that God made poisonous mushrooms and opium too. Hmmm, I will just have to get through this detox and then decide if I want to add more. The headaches are bad, but I already feel better. Not so guilty or tired all of the time! Any other thoughts would be great!
I have a box of Go Lean Crunch at home right now but haven't opened it yet. I need to read the label to see where the sweetness comes from. I am so moody and sensitive to sugar that I might have to cut all sweets out. I have a theory that if God made it, eat it, but then my husband pointed out to me that God made poisonous mushrooms and opium too. Hmmm, I will just have to get through this detox and then decide if I want to add more. The headaches are bad, but I already feel better. Not so guilty or tired all of the time! Any other thoughts would be great!
RE: Mikie
Jilly, sometimes I look at it and, instead of "If God made it, eat it", I think "Would God eat this". I'm not perfect at it, but that sometimes helps.
Robin http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein_1/flower.gif
Jilly, sometimes I look at it and, instead of "If God made it, eat it", I think "Would God eat this". I'm not perfect at it, but that sometimes helps.
Robin http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein_1/flower.gif
RE: Mikie
My advice, if you're doing this, is to just get rid of all the questionable things till you're sure the detox thing is over and you've gotten over all cravings for a period of time. Then add some things (like honey or whatever) back in occasionally and see how it affects you. Also, when I first did it, I also cut out Nutrasweet...added it back in later, but much, much less. My teeth are thanking me for cutting back so on the soft drinks.
Robin http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein_1/flower.gif
My advice, if you're doing this, is to just get rid of all the questionable things till you're sure the detox thing is over and you've gotten over all cravings for a period of time. Then add some things (like honey or whatever) back in occasionally and see how it affects you. Also, when I first did it, I also cut out Nutrasweet...added it back in later, but much, much less. My teeth are thanking me for cutting back so on the soft drinks.
Robin http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein_1/flower.gif
naughtoj
Cathlete
RE: Mikie
No offense to you ladies..I admire you all for being able to give up every last ounce of sugar...but how complicated that must be!!!
I really don't think I could ever adhere to something like that. I know you eat veggies, but how do you get any concentrated carbs??
Briee..I know you are a vegan. Did you just start this or have been doing it for a long time. With how you eat, you must have seen a significant weight loss, yes??
Of course I try not to eat so much simple sugar, but I eat my very fair share of fruit and milk and cannot imagine my life without it!!
I know what you mean Briee when you say "empowering". I am doing a WW thing right now and I feel better just having some control over my eating habits. Real rush.I think that is more psychological than physical though. Me and my messed up mind..LOL..
For all you ladies..how did you possibly change your life to allow for this no sugar thing. It must be very expensive!!
Janice
http://www.picturetrail.com/thrashej
No offense to you ladies..I admire you all for being able to give up every last ounce of sugar...but how complicated that must be!!!
I really don't think I could ever adhere to something like that. I know you eat veggies, but how do you get any concentrated carbs??
Briee..I know you are a vegan. Did you just start this or have been doing it for a long time. With how you eat, you must have seen a significant weight loss, yes??
Of course I try not to eat so much simple sugar, but I eat my very fair share of fruit and milk and cannot imagine my life without it!!
I know what you mean Briee when you say "empowering". I am doing a WW thing right now and I feel better just having some control over my eating habits. Real rush.I think that is more psychological than physical though. Me and my messed up mind..LOL..
For all you ladies..how did you possibly change your life to allow for this no sugar thing. It must be very expensive!!
Janice
http://www.picturetrail.com/thrashej
Reasons why I gave it up
Janice, I gave up dairy and meat about 3-4 years ago and immediately ended all my hay fever allergies which I've had since I was a child. I couldn't walk out of the house without my eyes swelling up, now I can take walks on our 44 acres through the weeds without any problems. I won't explain it all, but (I have 5 children) the last 3 babies, I had constant breast infections which were brought on by mold allergies in our home, so I am forced to eliminate all sugars, bread type carbos, as stated above, to avoid breast infections (these foods feed the candida, mold, in my system). I am just now finding out that my hormones are way out of balance while nursing(prolactin and oxytocin) and eliminating these foods has been helping to keep my hormone levels stable. I am still trying to figure out exactly why, but I know it helps cause the minute I eat any of these foods, I get an infection immediately. I know my system is incredibly sensitive. Someone else might not feel the effects quite as acutely.
Regarding weightloss - there is no better diet (I say that somewhat in jest). I'd love to eat some other things and many times complain, but for now I'm stuck with this. With the first 4 babies I gained 60# and the weight came off VERY slow. I began around 100 pounds (prior to baby #1) and never got much below 118 in between each baby and it took like 1 1/2 years just to get to 118. Before baby number 5, I began exercising and eating vegan and got to 103 and felt great. I had a phenominal pregnancy, lifted through the whole thing including day of delivery (really didn't modify anything). I only gained 33 pounds with this preg and was back to 102 post two months pregnancy. I have flat abs again, (thanks to Cathe too), but the diet definitely has helped drop the weight. K60 I think can chime in here and she's right, drop the carbs and sugar, eat frequent protein and you will see weight loss really quick. I can definitely vouch for this. Also, noteworthy, Angela has posted about a book "the false fat diet" it confirms that when you combine carbos with proteins incorrectly you have a false fat that I see immediately in my abdominal area. (it also eliminates sugar/white flour). If I drop the carbs and stick to protein, immediately my stomach gets flat and I drop 5 pounds, but once I eat carbs (bread type) and protein together again, I have almost a swelling in my stomach area and I pick up weight really quick.
I don't think it's expensive or complicated to eat this way, just boring if you are driven by food, which I used to be. I no longer feel controlled over food. I eat to fuel my system and for fun I do IMAX (ha ha). I don't go out to eat socially. I have found substitutes. I eat really basic, I'm used to it and it almost makes life easier. The "rush" I'm sure is somewhat psychological, but it's also physical, I feel like I've taken a drug (like a stimulant - mega energy) when I stick to the diet and if I eat too many carbs or i.e. natural cereal with dates or dried fruit, I take an emotional dive within an hour or so and I regret it. Your biggest hurdle will be to eat this way while other around you eat their junk in front of you. I'm in the country and can control this, but in the work world, it's tough. I have watched people in the grocery store shoveling bags of junk and candy into their carts and I believe the current statistics show that 66% of all Americans are overweight, this motivates me not to buy that stuff. You all out there are already doing an incredible job of being among the few that actually exercise intensely, so think of it as fueling this wonderful machine that enables you to complete bootcamp with a smile (at least a grimace right?)
I've rambled on long enough......and all this being said, I will share with you that I'm weaning this baby this week and I have an incredible desire to celebrate by picking up a large cappucino and chocolate donut, which will probably put my system into cardiac arrest, so if you don't hear from me for a while.......but I will return to clean eating right after this!!!!!!!!!
Briee (the long winded, but sugar free)
Janice, I gave up dairy and meat about 3-4 years ago and immediately ended all my hay fever allergies which I've had since I was a child. I couldn't walk out of the house without my eyes swelling up, now I can take walks on our 44 acres through the weeds without any problems. I won't explain it all, but (I have 5 children) the last 3 babies, I had constant breast infections which were brought on by mold allergies in our home, so I am forced to eliminate all sugars, bread type carbos, as stated above, to avoid breast infections (these foods feed the candida, mold, in my system). I am just now finding out that my hormones are way out of balance while nursing(prolactin and oxytocin) and eliminating these foods has been helping to keep my hormone levels stable. I am still trying to figure out exactly why, but I know it helps cause the minute I eat any of these foods, I get an infection immediately. I know my system is incredibly sensitive. Someone else might not feel the effects quite as acutely.
Regarding weightloss - there is no better diet (I say that somewhat in jest). I'd love to eat some other things and many times complain, but for now I'm stuck with this. With the first 4 babies I gained 60# and the weight came off VERY slow. I began around 100 pounds (prior to baby #1) and never got much below 118 in between each baby and it took like 1 1/2 years just to get to 118. Before baby number 5, I began exercising and eating vegan and got to 103 and felt great. I had a phenominal pregnancy, lifted through the whole thing including day of delivery (really didn't modify anything). I only gained 33 pounds with this preg and was back to 102 post two months pregnancy. I have flat abs again, (thanks to Cathe too), but the diet definitely has helped drop the weight. K60 I think can chime in here and she's right, drop the carbs and sugar, eat frequent protein and you will see weight loss really quick. I can definitely vouch for this. Also, noteworthy, Angela has posted about a book "the false fat diet" it confirms that when you combine carbos with proteins incorrectly you have a false fat that I see immediately in my abdominal area. (it also eliminates sugar/white flour). If I drop the carbs and stick to protein, immediately my stomach gets flat and I drop 5 pounds, but once I eat carbs (bread type) and protein together again, I have almost a swelling in my stomach area and I pick up weight really quick.
I don't think it's expensive or complicated to eat this way, just boring if you are driven by food, which I used to be. I no longer feel controlled over food. I eat to fuel my system and for fun I do IMAX (ha ha). I don't go out to eat socially. I have found substitutes. I eat really basic, I'm used to it and it almost makes life easier. The "rush" I'm sure is somewhat psychological, but it's also physical, I feel like I've taken a drug (like a stimulant - mega energy) when I stick to the diet and if I eat too many carbs or i.e. natural cereal with dates or dried fruit, I take an emotional dive within an hour or so and I regret it. Your biggest hurdle will be to eat this way while other around you eat their junk in front of you. I'm in the country and can control this, but in the work world, it's tough. I have watched people in the grocery store shoveling bags of junk and candy into their carts and I believe the current statistics show that 66% of all Americans are overweight, this motivates me not to buy that stuff. You all out there are already doing an incredible job of being among the few that actually exercise intensely, so think of it as fueling this wonderful machine that enables you to complete bootcamp with a smile (at least a grimace right?)
I've rambled on long enough......and all this being said, I will share with you that I'm weaning this baby this week and I have an incredible desire to celebrate by picking up a large cappucino and chocolate donut, which will probably put my system into cardiac arrest, so if you don't hear from me for a while.......but I will return to clean eating right after this!!!!!!!!!
Briee (the long winded, but sugar free)
RE: Mikie
Janice:
I find it cost less to eat no sugar personally. The sugar free mayo and dressings and ketchup I buy at the health food store don't contain artificial sweetners they just don't have any sweenters in them at all. The may cost a few pennies extra but that's about it.
Course I don't eat other things such as wheat and gluten.
I get my carbs from complex sources like short grain brown rice, oats, quinoa, millet, and brown rice pasta.
I admit it's a big project to take on but I feel 100% better without sugar.
Edith
;-)
Janice:
I find it cost less to eat no sugar personally. The sugar free mayo and dressings and ketchup I buy at the health food store don't contain artificial sweetners they just don't have any sweenters in them at all. The may cost a few pennies extra but that's about it.
Course I don't eat other things such as wheat and gluten.
I get my carbs from complex sources like short grain brown rice, oats, quinoa, millet, and brown rice pasta.
I admit it's a big project to take on but I feel 100% better without sugar.
Edith
;-)
Bobbi
Cathlete
RE: Mikie
Hi, Jilly, I eat fruit and use honey. Honey is great for endurance. I rarely crave sweets and haven't eaten chocolate or anything of the sort in a long while. I drink milk or use it on cereal as the mood fits. I love soy milk and often use it instead of cow's milk. I do not believe that any food is a forbidden food and I eat pretty clean without cutting out simple carbs except in their processed forms. I try to chose vegetables before I go for fruit but bananas are a mainstay in my diet. Sometimes the body needs a quick digestible sugar to replenish.
http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Chick's Rule! B http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/natur/petals.gif bbi
Hi, Jilly, I eat fruit and use honey. Honey is great for endurance. I rarely crave sweets and haven't eaten chocolate or anything of the sort in a long while. I drink milk or use it on cereal as the mood fits. I love soy milk and often use it instead of cow's milk. I do not believe that any food is a forbidden food and I eat pretty clean without cutting out simple carbs except in their processed forms. I try to chose vegetables before I go for fruit but bananas are a mainstay in my diet. Sometimes the body needs a quick digestible sugar to replenish.
http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Chick's Rule! B http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/natur/petals.gif bbi
jillybean
Cathlete
RE: Bobbi
You have one of the healthiest, most sensible attitudes toward food I have ever seen Bobbi. I've heard you say before that it is so sad that people look at flour like it is poison. I thought of today while I ate my tuna/tortilla wrap because you've said that one of your favorite foods are tortillas. Thanks for always inspiring me to be a little less neurotic about my diet. (And I love honey and bananas too!)
You have one of the healthiest, most sensible attitudes toward food I have ever seen Bobbi. I've heard you say before that it is so sad that people look at flour like it is poison. I thought of today while I ate my tuna/tortilla wrap because you've said that one of your favorite foods are tortillas. Thanks for always inspiring me to be a little less neurotic about my diet. (And I love honey and bananas too!)
RE: Bobbi
Jillybean: Good luck with your sugar detox. As a recovering bulemic and a compulsively behaviored person myself, I just wanted to say - keep reminding yourself that eating is okay. Don't be afraid to add back in things that don't trigger cravings for you as you figure out what they are. I'm sure you'll find that healthy balance for yourself. Katie
Jillybean: Good luck with your sugar detox. As a recovering bulemic and a compulsively behaviored person myself, I just wanted to say - keep reminding yourself that eating is okay. Don't be afraid to add back in things that don't trigger cravings for you as you figure out what they are. I'm sure you'll find that healthy balance for yourself. Katie