How I Did It
Support. Sure it was my on-line community, but just knowing that over 100 other people were commiting to The Nourishing Gourmet’s Sugar-Free Challenge made it easier.
Commitment. I had to psyche myself up in order to completely commit to the idea of no longer putting sugar in my tea and no longer buying any gooey brownie I saw just because it was there. I’ve wanted to go sugar-free a number of times before, but as soon as I got a craving, I went out and bought some Ben & Jerry’s because I really wasn’t all that committed. This time I was. It’s a totally different mind set.
Out of sight out of mind. I literally packed up all the sugar and sugar-containing foods in my house so remove any temptation.
How It Went
Well, I’m happy to report that my personal sugar-free challenge is still in progress. I celebrated the end of the week, which coincidentally coincided with Canadian Thanksgiving, with a piece of blackberry pie and a couple tablespoons of vanilla ice cream. But I didn’t love it the way I would have a week earlier, because by Day 7 I had virtually lost my sugar cravings. I had it for the sake of eating dessert with my family, not because I wanted to.
What Helped with the Cravings
Protein-rich foods. For dinner I ate a lot of beans and legumes. For example, my Mung Bean Dahl and Greek Red Lentil Soup and Fab Frugal Food’s Ultimate Vegetarian Chili all have been enjoyed of late. For breakfast I ate Maria’s Secret Oatmeal with seeds and nuts in it, eggs, and lots of peanut butter on whole grain toast.
Raisins and/or other dried fruit.
I tried to avoid honey and maple syrup wherever possible, just so I could get over the hump. It helped.
Falling Off The Wagon
On Day 11, I hadn’t eaten a proper breakfast in the morning and no one had eaten lunch. The girls were fighting in the car and I was ready to lose it. As we passed a Dairy Queen I found myself pulling in. One Brownie Batter Blizzard (on sale no less!) later I felt much better. But since then I’ve returned to the straight and narrow. I did start putting honey in my tea though. I suffered through black tea for 11 days and just never quite got used to it. But honey is better than sugar right? So I’ve taken to replacing sugar with honey and maple syrup when it’s needed, but I’m still avoiding sweets in general and my own baking at this point.
How The Girls Are Doing
I have to say that I was very surprised by how easy this has been for my girls. I assumed they would freak out when I told them they couldn’t have the occasional free cookie from the grocery store bakery and that I would no longer be buying vanilla yogurt or their favorite Kozy Shack Rice Pudding. Instead, they entered into mommy’s sugar-free diet supportively and willingly. And what a change in their behaviours without sugar in their systems! My especially challenging daughter is a near angel! The whining and screaming has subsided by about 60%. My other daughter who barely consumes anything other than breast milk and fruit is eating better! She’s still rather attached to breastfeeding but her interest in protein and vegetables is increasing. Hooray! And they play more nicely and listen better. I should have done this years ago!
The Benefits
- I’m eating healthier.
- I feel healthier.
- My girls are healthier and better behaved.
- I’m saving at least $40/week.
So even though I ate some blackberry pie and a Blizzard and started putting honey in my tea, I have to say this challenge has been a great success and one that I will continue for as long as I can.
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I’m not sure I’m quite ready to take the leap myself. However, hearing about the change in your kids’ behaviour has me seriously intrigued. I wonder how many of our behaviour problems are really just caused by diet. You’ve made me think, so thank you!
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I’m glad to hear it went, and is going, so well!
I did an “experiment” much like this a couple years back, and found that my cravings quickly disappeared as well. I’ve read the difference it can make in kids, but don’t have kids old enough to try it. It’s been enjoyable and informative to read your thoughts on it, though!
Megan´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday, October 19
Such a great blog for moms!
I hope you get a chance to try Anne’s veggie chili – it is amazing!
Thanks for linking us!
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I don’t know if I could do it, man. Kudos to you!!
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Good for you!
We are a pretty sugar minimalist family, but it is amazing how it creeps in AND how addicting it is for my 5 year old. If he hears someone talking about sugar in another room he’ll call out, “I LOVE SUGAR!”
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Wow!!!!! High five to you, mama!
I’d love to do something like this, although I’m not sure I’ve got it in me quite yet. There’s something about treats being *just* for treats that makes so much sense.
I’m interested in your daughter’s interest in other foods growing … my 16 month old consumes only breastmilk, carbs & fruit – no veggies, no meat, very little beans.
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@Kim – I think it depends on each individual child but my second is just really not into food so much. She gets enough and to look at her you’d think she eats a ton because she is so tall and not skinny at all, but she’s just never been all that hungry, except for breastmilk. Part of this is my fault of course because I tend to nurse her whenever she wants and before meal time she seems to nurse more often than other times. I do it because it helps me be able to make dinner or breakfast without her shrieking in the background. But honestly, before mealtimes is also when I’m trying to catch up on my computer work because it’s the only time I don’t have daycare kids here or I’m not needed for something else, and if she sees me sitting down anywhere anytime I’m done for.
BUt have hope, your 16 month old is only 16 months and mine is 2 1/2. I know it can be normal for some children not even to be very interested in any solids until 18 months. It is more rare but also more common in breastfed babies.
Oh, and for the first 18 months to 2 years they are still experimenting with their food – textures, tastes, preferences. Changes occur often. All this is very normal.
Melodie´s last blog ..Going Sugar-Free