I have a H&F confession

[mrshandy]

H and I are seriously considering cutting refined sugar out of our diet.

Anybody ever done this?

Is it crazy to try to do this?

A little background, I was inspired/intrigued when a poster on another board said they were going to do this. I started giving it some thought in the shower after my long run over the weekend (best time to think!). I brought it up to H, and next thing I know he was on board. Right now, we're just taking small steps, purging our house of things with refined sugar, planning out future meals, looking at ingredients list. The biggest trouble meal will be breakfast, I think. Since I usually eat Kashi cereal and a piece of PB bread.

The biggest motivator for this will hopefully be weight loss. I know losing at least 10 lbs is the key to me being a faster runner and ultimately qualifying for Boston.

I'm EBF DD and I'm a little worried that it may affect my supply so I will have to keep my calories up with other good foods.

This really will require a total mental change. I love my sweets and always have. I can't imagine a world without chocolate. I don't think I could ever give it up completely, but we will be cutting way back.

I would appreciate any thoughts.

[emilyinchile]

Good luck! I am trying to reduce added sugar right now, and that's hard enough for me. My goal is to eat no added sugar 6 days a week and then leave 1 day for whatever treats (birthdays, a delicious cocktail, inability to resist the French bakery around the corner a second longer), but it's hard because there's always some minor excuse as to why I should just have a bite of this or a sip of that.

Do you want to try to do this forever, or is the idea to get down to your goal weight and reevaluate whether to add in the occasional birthday cake or whatever?

[spunkypenguin]

Back in October, I realized I had a really unhealthy relationship with sugar that was getting out of control. I did my first Whole30 right before Thanksgiving (which cuts out ALL sugar). I had planned to stay Paleo, but the holidays sucked me in and it was ugly, so I am doing another Whole30 now. I find it very helpful for my overall well-being. My whole30 will end Friday. I plan to stay Paleo-ish/Primal, which allows natural sweetners like honey and maple syrup, but plan to keep those limited. Maybe an occasional splurge, but it's definitely an area in which I struggle with "moderation."

I know there are others on the board currently doing Whole30 and some who are Paleo all the time. I definitely don't think it's crazy

[runaways]

I don't really have anything useful. I have a really ridiculous sweet tooth and always have, and I should probably (definitely) be trying to cut it out. I just don't have the will power right now. Actually, I don't have any will power when it comes to food lately.

Keep us updated on how it goes! Maybe I will feel inspired too!

[wambam]

I have. It was horrible for two weeks and then it was amazing. I eat a lot of protein and fat and feel great!

[ckinla]

I cut it out completely for about 3 months a couple years back. I felt amazing (after the first week - I felt awful during the "detox"). I'm still totally addicted to sugar - but not as bad, and I definitely made some healthier food switches that I still keep up with. I would recommend it! A few things that got me thru were Uncle Sams cereal and unsweetened almond milk, ezekiel bread and truvia.

[Brit]

Can you update some on how it goes? Especially the emotional part of it?

I don't do much added sugar lately except for this week tea with honey and lemon to battle an epic cold/scratchy throat. Ok, and a fruity girly drink or two on Friday nights. When I get into a sugar habit though, it is really hard for me mentally to break out of it.

[Wines Not Whines]

I think it's a great idea. I've been wanting to do this for a while, but I have zero willpower and I cave way too easily. I don't even want to give up *all* sugar, just the worst offenders like junk and dessert foods. And I don't even want to give them up forever, I just think I need a couple of weeks to break the crazy sugar cycle I've been on. I know from past experience that I am capable of limiting myself to a small piece of dark chocolate every day and being satisfied, but right now I'm at a point where I need ALL THE SWEETS. It's not good.

[mrshandy]

Jan 28, 2014 10:58:30 GMT -5 emilyinchile said:

Good luck! I am trying to reduce added sugar right now, and that's hard enough for me. My goal is to eat no added sugar 6 days a week and then leave 1 day for whatever treats (birthdays, a delicious cocktail, inability to resist the French bakery around the corner a second longer), but it's hard because there's always some minor excuse as to why I should just have a bite of this or a sip of that.

Do you want to try to do this forever, or is the idea to get down to your goal weight and reevaluate whether to add in the occasional birthday cake or whatever?

I don't think I could do this forever. But a two-week detox, then do an occasional treat. My H talks a big talk, but I'm pretty damn sure he couldn't keep it up forever.

Thanks for all of the encouragement. I will definitely update. We need to keep the momentum going on this so I need as much motivation as possible!

[ebeth]

I say this to all my analysts, but before you undertake this project, you need to decide what you mean by 'refined sugar'. Is it just sugar? What about honey? agave? other sweeteners? What about other simple carbs? white rice? flour? etc.

yes, I've done it. I don't think it's crazy. but if you are really trying to break the habit, I'd recommend going cold turkey and doing it for two weeks. in addition to refined sugar, I'd nix the fruit. also, booze (sorry dude). personally, I'd cut all grains during this time too. then after two weeks slowly reintroduce the grains and fruit.

[Deleted]

Jan 28, 2014 13:04:14 GMT -5 ebeth said:

I say this to all my analysts, but before you undertake this project, you need to decide what you mean by 'refined sugar'. Is it just sugar? What about honey? agave? other sweeteners? What about other simple carbs? white rice? flour? etc.

yes, I've done it. I don't think it's crazy. but if you are really trying to break the habit, I'd recommend going cold turkey and doing it for two weeks. in addition to refined sugar, I'd nix the fruit. also, booze (sorry dude). personally, I'd cut all grains during this time too. then after two weeks slowly reintroduce the grains and fruit.

I echo this, I'm curious what the definition of 'refined sugar' might be. I've cut out grains and starches, I rarely eat white sugar at all and don't eat much processed food. But I do eat honey, agave, and fruit (limited).

[gt7301b]

I can't get past the idea of coffee without sugar and I can't fathom a morning without coffee. So I'm not much help at all.

[mrshandy]

Jan 28, 2014 13:09:19 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

Jan 28, 2014 13:04:14 GMT -5 ebeth said:

I say this to all my analysts, but before you undertake this project, you need to decide what you mean by 'refined sugar'. Is it just sugar? What about honey? agave? other sweeteners? What about other simple carbs? white rice? flour? etc.

yes, I've done it. I don't think it's crazy. but if you are really trying to break the habit, I'd recommend going cold turkey and doing it for two weeks. in addition to refined sugar, I'd nix the fruit. also, booze (sorry dude). personally, I'd cut all grains during this time too. then after two weeks slowly reintroduce the grains and fruit.

I echo this, I'm curious what the definition of 'refined sugar' might be. I've cut out grains and starches, I rarely eat white sugar at all and don't eat much processed food. But I do eat honey, agave, and fruit (limited).

Good question. We've definitely been discussing this and going back and forth.

Simple carbs are fine if they don't have sugar or other sweeteners. Boo to no booze! We homebrew so we know exactly what goes into our beer. H is struggling with this. But he's agreed to start making beers with no sugar in them.

Lots of decisions to make. I like your ideas. I'm worried about going too crazy and it impacting my supply.

No way I will be giving up fruit in the long term and honestly I don't think it's a good idea. I may limit it or get rid of it in the two weeks period.

[runaways]

Jan 28, 2014 12:47:54 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

I think it's a great idea. I've been wanting to do this for a while, but I have zero willpower and I cave way too easily. I don't even want to give up *all* sugar, just the worst offenders like junk and dessert foods. And I don't even want to give them up forever, I just think I need a couple of weeks to break the crazy sugar cycle I've been on. I know from past experience that I am capable of limiting myself to a small piece of dark chocolate every day and being satisfied, but right now I'm at a point where I need ALL THE SWEETS. It's not good.

Yes this is me. And I kind of hate it because I know it's not good for me to eat so much sugar, but I just don't actually care. 

[emilyinchile]

Jan 28, 2014 13:18:38 GMT -5 runaways said:

Jan 28, 2014 12:47:54 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

I think it's a great idea. I've been wanting to do this for a while, but I have zero willpower and I cave way too easily. I don't even want to give up *all* sugar, just the worst offenders like junk and dessert foods. And I don't even want to give them up forever, I just think I need a couple of weeks to break the crazy sugar cycle I've been on. I know from past experience that I am capable of limiting myself to a small piece of dark chocolate every day and being satisfied, but right now I'm at a point where I need ALL THE SWEETS. It's not good.

Yes this is me. And I kind of hate it because I know it's not good for me to eat so much sugar, but I just don't actually care. 

This is my problem. I was super serious at the beginning of the month with my 6 days/1 cheat day. By day 4, I didn't crave a sweet afternoon snack anymore. But then when there's something I really want to eat it's like eh, I'm overall healthy, I don't want to lose weight, why SHOULDN'T I eat this delicious thing in front of me? Which is fine except that then slowly the cycle of daily sweets starts again, and I feel blah from too much sugar.

[Brit]

Jan 28, 2014 13:16:49 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

We homebrew so we know exactly what goes into our beer. H is struggling with this. But he's agreed to start making beers with no sugar in them.

Can you make alcoholic beer without sugar? Or does he plan to make fruit beer or something? My beer making knowledge is next to nothing, but doesn't the yeast need to eat sugar to make the alcohol?

[Deleted]

Jan 28, 2014 13:16:49 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

Jan 28, 2014 13:09:19 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

I echo this, I'm curious what the definition of 'refined sugar' might be. I've cut out grains and starches, I rarely eat white sugar at all and don't eat much processed food. But I do eat honey, agave, and fruit (limited).

Good question. We've definitely been discussing this and going back and forth.

Simple carbs are fine if they don't have sugar or other sweeteners. Boo to no booze! We homebrew so we know exactly what goes into our beer. H is struggling with this. But he's agreed to start making beers with no sugar in them.

Lots of decisions to make. I like your ideas. I'm worried about going too crazy and it impacting my supply.

No way I will be giving up fruit in the long term and honestly I don't think it's a good idea. I may limit it or get rid of it in the two weeks period.

Yeah, I homebrew too. I'm going for drier beers these days to reduce the sugar remnants but keep overshooting and end up with 10-12% brews oopsie

Beer/alcohol is hard and honestly, I still have a few a week. 

[Susie]

Wow, good luck with your journey! It is not for me - I don't do complete eliminations of any kind. But if it will be the thing that gets you to where you want to go, good luck!

[mrshandy]

Jan 28, 2014 13:27:57 GMT -5 Brit said:

Jan 28, 2014 13:16:49 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

We homebrew so we know exactly what goes into our beer. H is struggling with this. But he's agreed to start making beers with no sugar in them.

Can you make alcoholic beer without sugar? Or does he plan to make fruit beer or something? My beer making knowledge is next to nothing, but doesn't the yeast need to eat sugar to make the alcohol?

H would know more he is the head brewer I just stir, but he seemed to think that it was possible. I have no idea though!

[Deleted]

Jan 28, 2014 13:45:42 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

Jan 28, 2014 13:27:57 GMT -5 Brit said:

Can you make alcoholic beer without sugar? Or does he plan to make fruit beer or something? My beer making knowledge is next to nothing, but doesn't the yeast need to eat sugar to make the alcohol?

H would know more he is the head brewer I just stir, but he seemed to think that it was possible. I have no idea though!

There's sugar that comes from the grain. You need a really good yeast to make sure all of the sugar is gone from the beer, which is neigh but impossible. Adding things like Belgian Candi Sugar (and using a high gravity yeast) can actually result in drier (i.e. less sweet) beers. I love the WYeast Trappist Ale High Gravity Yeast for this, but you end up brewing a lot of belgians this way. I'm brewing a black IPA this weekend, sugar be dammed. 

[hannahb]

Jan 28, 2014 13:09:45 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I can't get past the idea of coffee without sugar and I can't fathom a morning without coffee. So I'm not much help at all.

[b

Ditto. I'm no help either

[MrsE]

It is HARD. I am on day 28 of this with Whole 30 and I STILL have sugar cravings.

[Deleted]

My friend Wayne did this and wrote a blog about it. In fact he tried a new diet every month but the first one was no sugar. He lost a lot of weight and ended up on telly back home.
onedietamonth.blogspot.co.uk

[shauni27]

I'm with brit I would like to hear how this goes for you and what you end up deciding to eliminate. I would love to cut more sugar from my diet (and do something similar to a whole 30) but it is hard because my husband is not at all on board and that would double our grocery expenses.

[thebulldog]

Jan 28, 2014 17:43:28 GMT -5 mr+ms said:

We did it a few years ago and never looked back. We make some exceptions (mainly for dark chocolate, celebrations outside of the home, travel and things like that) but otherwise our day to day eating is free of refined sugars, flours and most grains. We also tend not to use "natural" sweeteners like honey, juice or maple syrup much since there is no fiber paired with the sugars.

After a few weeks most people find that their taste buds adjust to be more sensitive to sweet so it will probably get easier as you go along.

I am not asking this in a snarky way but with no sugar, flour or grain, what do you eat? Just dairy, veggies and meat?
I think it is difficult to ban whole groups of food.


i be typing from me phone. typos and grammer dont count.