Tomorrow I will begin challenging myself to be sugar-free for a week. Maybe longer. The Nourishing Gourmet is hosting a No-Sugar Challenge and think it’s about time I try this again. I went off sugar for about a month a decade ago. It was pretty incredible. Once I was over the hump I literally did not want or crave any sugar. And then one day I was out for dinner with friends and I had some chocolate cake. I didn’t actually want the chocolate cake, but I was interested to see what would happen if I had a bite. Well let me tell you, it was game over! The next day I was back to my old ways like an alcoholic who just got run over by the wagon he fell off of.
This is not to say I’m a sugar addict the way you might be picturing. I’m a sugar addict who’s a health nut, whose liver is very sensitive to sweets. I don’t like candy or pop and I haven’t bought chocolate bars in years (minus the Smarties for my daughter’s cupcakes). Even though I only, mostly eat homemade baked goods (made with half to a third less sugar than called for) and head to my local organic cafe for organic cheesecake when I want a treat in town, I have a serious weakness for all baked goods, as well as ice cream, and if either of these are within arm’s reach, they’re gone within a couple days if not a couple hours. And even though I eat organic vegetables and brown rice like they’re going out of style, I also NEED a sugar fix a least twice a day. If I don’t get one, (or two or three) I’m a miserable, irritable person, regardless of the fact that when I do get my fix my liver wishes it was on a donor’s list.
I spoke with a naturopath about this once. Why does my body over-react to sugar when I generally eat so well and there are people out there who live off Snickers bars and Coke who don’t? I don’t think I ever got a good answer. It’s just the way I’m made, I guess.
Anyway, this No-Sugar thing is way overdue. I’m literally packing up all the sugar in my house and putting it in a rubbermaid box to keep in my husband’s car. No sugar for my tea, no brown sugar in my daughter’s oatmeal, no baking for the week. I’m not going to worry about the already present sugar in foods like bread or salad dressings, but all other obvious sugary foods, like granola bars and a couple of cold cereals are outta here! So is the white flour. I will keep my pure maple syrup and honey around but probably concentrate on dried fruits and fresh fruits for my sweet fixes. My goals will be to eat more fruits and veggies and increase protein foods to decrease the sugar cravings.
I expect I will go through withdrawal. Headaches will be bad. Tylenol will be a close friend for a couple days. I might be bitchy on Twitter. The girls are going to FREAK OUT! They’ve been warned, but still… I’ve often wondered if having any amount of sugar in my oldest daughter’s diet has had anything to do with her behavioural issues. Some parents have found this to be the case. I guess I will see. I just hope the hump doesn’t take more than a couple of days to get over.
Hold me.
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Wow! I am totally, totally addicted to sugar. I think it would be a really good idea to at least try to go without for a little while, but honestly the idea scares me. I’ll be following along with curiosity. Good luck, especially with the kids.
.-= Amber´s last blog ..Tastes Like Home =-.
Good luck to you! I think if I went sugar-free, I would totally overdose on salt and have a heart attack!
.-= Annie @ PhD in Parenting´s last blog ..Follow-up questions for Nestle =-.
Best of luck to you! I was on South Beach Diet for many months back a few years ago. It feels SO good to not have those sugar cravings. I remember the first time I ate a banana after many months of no sugar, it tasted like pure candy!
Maybe I should join you in this quest…
Jessie
.-= Vanderbilt Wife´s last blog ..Good weekend, bad weekend =-.
@Amber – I relate to you on the Sugar thing. My favorite post of yours was Ice Cream and the Meaning of Life, and your tweets about a new cupcake store at your mall? I totally understood your excitment. Hm. I wonder if you enable me somewhat? Ha ha!
@Annie – My husband has the salty tooth and me the sweet tooth. I don’t think there’s any danger in me overdosing on potato chips but I will keep a strict eye out. Today is Day One: So far so good.
@Vanderbilt Wife – Yes! That’s what I’m going for. No sugar cravings. I remember just how great it was. Check out the post at Nourishing Gourmet if you want to join. She has different levels (Beginner, Moderate and Advanced). I’m a Beginner all the way!
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