The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

[Londoner]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Day 1 done - feeling somewhat better already.

Ate plenty of lean protein, added lots of veg and a couple of pieces of low sugar fruit.

The only sweet thing I had today was a spread of honey. Could feel the 'pathways' fire up, so called it a day there and ate some more protein.

Time to kick this habit,

[JRons13]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

I just quit cold turkey (Day 6 now), and now I can't stop eating sugar!

[NoSugar]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Once you get past needing the taste of "sweet", the hardest part of all this (for me) is turning down offerings of foods that essentially are offerings of love. People feel very rejected when you won't eat something they have bought, or even more difficult, made as a special treat for you. The sharing of food is very important with huge psychological and social benefits - with sweet foods being so highly prized and desirable.

I occasionally will eat something offered to me to avoid the awkwardness and hurt feelings. Usually there are few consequences but a couple times earlier in becoming AF, this led to a return of AL cravings the next day. How do you guys handle people for whom food=love?

[allankay]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

NoSugar;1563908 wrote: Once you get past needing the taste of "sweet", the hardest part of all this (for me) is turning down offerings of foods that essentially are offerings of love. People feel very rejected when you won't eat something they have bought, or even more difficult, made as a special treat for you. The sharing of food is very important with huge psychological and social benefits - with sweet foods being so highly prized and desirable.

I occasionally will eat something offered to me to avoid the awkwardness and hurt feelings. Usually there are few consequences but a couple times earlier in becoming AF, this led to a return of AL cravings the next day. How do you guys handle people for whom food=love?

No Sugar, I have not had to deal with anything like this yet as I am only on day 3. However, I will tackle it in the same way as I did with offerings of alcohol...If they truelly love you then they will respect your decision.

An if they do want to feed you, why not buy you a tasty Subway turkey sandwich or make you a fresh fruit/veggie smoothie. I don't understand how people assume that feeding an unhealthy cheesecake is a show of love. It is their mind set. Your job will be to change it.

With time they will remember that NoSugar is coming over for dinner and you will be offered a proper nutritious meal. I hope

AK

[sanchez]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

NS - good question. I haven't had to turn anything down just yet. No matter what you say, it's going to hurt their feelings a tad, but if you tell even a little white lie, it will most likely come back to haunt you in that more treats will be forthcoming.

I always make a specialty dessert at Thanksgiving and Christmas time. Went around delivering to folks like my hairdresser, farrier, others. I'll never forget one person telling me as she took the plate from me "I really don't eat this stuff". While blown away a little at first, I also knew better about bringing any to her in the future. So, the honesty was appreciated after I got over the bluntness of the comment. I'm not suggesting being this blunt, however, I think it's entirely acceptable to say "Thank you, this looks delish, but if you don't mind, I'll give it to my husband or ______ because I'm cutting out all refined sugars for health reasons". I would hope that would not hurt someone's feelings. If they persist, then maybe a nibble will suffice.

[Londoner]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Day 2 finito. I had 1/2 a meat naan bread, some 90% dark chocolate (does not count) and a small small spoon of honey.

Taking hold of my life again.

Keep it up fellow no sugarers.

[free at last]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Hi NS, great question re how to turn down "food made with love." I think we have to educate others, especially those closest to us, that sugar does not equal love. Of course, try telling the Valentine's Day industry that!

I was thinking today about the appropriateness of giving wine as a gift, given how much I know about it destroying people's lives. I gave my complimentary bottle (in the hotel room) to a colleague but looked at his rotund stomach and thought I am not helping this man. Any thoughts, sugar watchers on the appropriateness of giving wine as a gift, coming from those of us trying to quit?

Happy to report I avoided the dessert buffet but tiramisu looked ever so tempting. Now the big question, if I am replacing dessert with bread and cheese, am I doing just as much damage?

Best wishes for a great, sugar and AF evening.

[lifechange]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

I'm so excited to see so many people joining in here! Very cool.
AllanK, (Great list!) I don't know how a Roll call would work here, but I would be into it-- otherwise, maybe just like Free said, checking in quickly each day for accountability?
I'm afraid to say, I wasn't as successful as I'd hoped while I was away. And I think for me it would be good to have a daily check in-- it's been proving difficult for me to really go SF, but I'm guessing it takes time for some of us, as it did with AL. I definitely didn't get that one the first time. So here, I won't give up--and will start tomorrow with a serious day 1 of my journey.

There was the discussion here about gifting and I wanted to add my 2 cents worth. Free, sugar does not equal love is good to remember-I've found myself rewarding the kids in the past with a sweet treat, and am trying to remedy that bad habit.
and after quite a lot of thought, I've decided not to give AL--wine, spirits, etc--or sugar to people I love. It was a big question for me as well because I have in the past often given wine or brandy as a gift, but there are so many other nice things to give-- did you all know that in German GIFT means POISON? Appropriate in this case, isn't it?

I will be here first thing in the morning to check in and look forward to seeing you all!

[NoSugar]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

lifechange;1564483 wrote: I've decided not to give AL--wine, spirits, etc--or sugar to people I love. It was a big question for me as well because I have in the past often given wine or brandy as a gift, but there are so many other nice things to give-- did you all know that in German GIFT means POISON? Appropriate in this case, isn't it?

Welcome back, Life. The one thing nice about SF as opposed to AF, absolute perfection isn't quite as critical - or, in my opinion, possible. I am not willing to commit to never putting a dressing on a salad I have when I'm eating out. I try to make the best choice possible but when, for example, the oil and vinegar offered are really low quality, I do choose something else even though it undoubtedly has sugar in it. ( I wouldn't, however, choose to order an uncooked food for which wine was an ingredient).

Last Christmas I had made quite a bit of progress on my own getting off AL and it occurred to me that giving wine as a hostess gift really no longer fit with my values. I ordered a case of high-end, 18 year old balsalmic vinegar and have been giving that (at least all of it that we don't consume - it is delicious!!) instead of what might be a poison for someone, not a gift.

[free at last]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Hi NS, the 18 year old balsamic vinegar is a great idea. Can you post the link where you ordered it?

I actually think a sugar roll call would be a good idea. Just now certain how to moinitor it. I avoided desserts today, but succumbed to a very small, very dark chocolate that I found in my purse. (The others I had given away earlier this week).

I do find, however, that coffee might becoming my new dessert. Not giving that one up.

[NoSugar]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

This shop is in a fun part of Chicago if you ever happen to be there: Old Town Oil: Specialty Olive Oils & Balsamic Vinegars | Old Town Oil. Next door to it is a nice spice shop.

Great coffee also is a nice hostess gift and you have access to some good stuff in your travels! That is an addiction I hope not to ever have to give up.

I think that if you can have a single piece of dark chocolate, you should have it. The chocolate has numerous components that appear to be good for you and if you feel rewarded and satisfied, you aren't likely to make poor choices later. I eat really dark chocolate and even some balsamic vinegar truffles made from 100% chocolate. I guarantee you there is no way to over-consume those!

[free at last]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Hi all,
Happy to report Dessert free day #5 for me (no cakes, cookies, or other high sugar goodies, not even chocolate today). I am noticing that it is helping diminish the number of thoughts about "a glass of wine would be nice."

Thanks for the uppdate on chocolate, NoSugar. Great to know that in small quantities it can be good.

My trouble was I was devouring an entire container of dark chocolate covered almonds in two days. Sometimes with chocolate ice cream. Once even with hot fudge on top of the ice crea and then chocolate covered almonds mixed in. Not good and I know contributing to AL cravings. I just figured for the first two months AF I would concentrate on removing AL. Now I'm addressing desserts and other sugar temptations.

Hope everyone is enjoying and AF and SF weekend.

[allankay]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Starting something new is always challenging.

Ever since I quit AL I have been turning to Sugar when: craving, bored, lonely....(you know the drill) which became my substitute for AL.

I wish I could make broccoli or carrots my substitute for sugar but it doesn't work like that. So this time around I am failing to come up for a good replacement????

This week like last week I had a very strict, healthy diet with a side of daily exercise. However, Friday night when I usually feel most bored or lonely I had to turn to junk food for comfort. I knew I was making a wrong choice but it gives this temporary release of endorphins that healthy food just doesn't.

Need to re-programme myself to get high from knowing that I am making a healthy choice instead of a short lived high.

I hope this makes sense. Just so very angry with myself because I have been trying to quit Sugar from the 1st of September and failed every Friday. May be it is best to have one cheat day per week? hmmm?

AK

[NoSugar]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Hi, Allan

I'm sorry you are feeling down about this.

What sort of food do you eat in this situation? Maybe there are some better choices that would have the same effect.

And what kind of foods do you normally consume?

If "junk food" was a big part of your diet and you've eliminated that for the most part, what are you eating instead? If you haven't been eating a sufficient amount of high quality food, maybe you cave on Friday nights because that is when you're tired and so dang hungry!

Some people need to allow themselves an occasional treat. A singe, pre-planned dessert might be ok if it prevented a binge.

The longer you don't eat sugar or artificial sweeteners, the more your taste buds function correctly. Like with AL, a tolerance to sweet (and salty) can develop. If you stick with it, you'll find that after awhile, naturally sweet foods such as a sweet potato or berries will more than satisfy the desire for something sweet.

Take care, NS

[allankay]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

NoSugar;1564979 wrote: Hi, Allan

I'm sorry you are feeling down about this.

What sort of food do you eat in this situation? Maybe there are some better choices that would have the same effect.

And what kind of foods do you normally consume?

If "junk food" was a big part of your diet and you've eliminated that for the most part, what are you eating instead? If you haven't been eating a sufficient amount of high quality food, maybe you cave on Friday nights because that is when you're tired and so dang hungry!

Some people need to allow themselves an occasional treat. A singe, pre-planned dessert might be ok if it prevented a binge.

The longer you don't eat sugar or artificial sweeteners, the more your taste buds function correctly. Like with AL, a tolerance to sweet (and salty) can develop. If you stick with it, you'll find that after awhile, naturally sweet foods such as a sweet potato or berries will more than satisfy the desire for something sweet.

Take care, NS

Hi No Sugar,

I think you are right that given enough time a person can change their habits. That is all that food selection is.

I usually eat very healthy: soups, greens, home made smoothies, egg whites, turkey breast and try to avoid carbs as much as possible. It makes me feel pretty solid and full.

However, high sugar content foods like cheesecake (thats my favourite) or pizza raise my blood sugar really fast and make me feel better for a period of time. They change body chemistry for a little while and provide a high that sweet berries just don't.

The symptoms are very similar to alcoholism. I think I might conquer it eventually I just need to make up my mind on whether to do this permanently or allocate a few days a month to binge eating.

Thank for listening

AK