What's the longest you've been able to go sugar-free?

[SugaryAddict]

I'm giving myself a challenge to stop eating anything with added sugar. I'm wondering how long is a reasonable and achievable target? A week, two weeks... A month?!

[SugaryAddict]

No one?

[WatcherOfTheNight]

I can go a few months then I might have cake or something when out.
Recently I do substitute with Sukrin & a bit of dark chocolate if I'm feeling like a treat.

[WatcherOfTheNight]

I don't eat pasta or bread anymore though so don't get cravings like I used to.

[Thisisnotworking]

I stayed added sugar free for 3 months last year. Felt great! I did eat date balls ect though. Now I still avoid it, mostly manage 3 weeks per month. But I eat gluten free too, so cake and biscuits are mostly off the menue anyway.
Nuts are a great substitute for chocolate cravings!

[NutellaLawson]

It's been 6 months here and have lost almost two stone without any other lifestyle changes.

The first two weeks are hardest with cravings but they do pass. Just keep telling yourself "naah, don't really eat sweet things." Whenever sugar appears on your radar.

I have had cake a couple of times, out of politeness but as long as I'm aware that I'll get cravings for sugar over the next few days and, crucially, that's all they are - cravings and not a need, I'm fine again.

The mantra 'I don't really eat sweet things' seems to help.

[NewBallsPlease00]

I did 2 weeks it was a killer but ok because I lost stubborn fat which was pretty motivational at time: like others I also don't eat bread or pasta so that cut out a load anyway.
I quit sugar by sarahbwilson is good for subs though just follow the catch it or grow it then eat it and you won't go far wrong! (Or growing plants, catchijg fish all ok)

[Badgoushk]

I went sugar free on 1 Jan. I've lost 4.5 stone!! Obviously I'm also eating sensibly and am exercising 3 x a week. Best thing I have ever done. I was aiming to do it for a year but I'm never going back.

[msrisotto]

I went 7 months hard core no sugar, no flavored drinks, flavored yoghurt, no sugar substitutes, no honey etc.
It DOES get easier I promise. Now I only have sugary things on holiday or special occasions. I lost a stone without needing to or trying (still ate regular meals, had pizza etc on weekends). My skin is better too. I recommend it but start for a month, you need to break the habit. Tell yourself you'll have X craving on Y date so you're not denying yourself, you're just post poning it. Don't beat yourself up if you cave, it happens, it doesn't negate your hard work.

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Hope you don't mind a slight thread hijack, I am seriously thinking about this as I really need to address my weight Badgoushk can I ask what exactly you cut out, did you still eat natural sugars eg fruit? I know this is a big no no for low carbers but I love fruit and would like to still have it as a healthy snack/dessert. Congratulations on your amazing weight loss!

[SugaryAddict]

Wow, quite a range here but all very inspiring! The weight loss factor is the main thing for me.

I want to stop eating added sugar, but I don't mind naturally occurring ones. I am starting today!

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Good luck sugary I would like to join you if that's OK. I need to lose around 2 stone initially, I am the heaviest I have been in a long time and its not comfortable.

[blahblahblah2000]

5 hours is my longest

[NutellaLawson]

In my case (lost 2 stone with no other changes) I still eat fruit and haven't cut out any other carbs, though I eat wholemeal bread normally anyway, rather than white.
Basically I cut out all the obviously sweet foods like cake, chocolate, sweet yogurts, all desserts, sugary cereals. I still have fruit and there is dried fruit in my muesli but it's not enough I think to retrigger cravings. Cake does and I have to be careful again after I've had any to stop sugarcreeping into my life, nagging is way into my mouth. Cravings pass and 'I don't really eat sweet things'. (That mantra also works on pushy friends. It's better than 'I've given up sugar' because I think some people then push you to 'live a little' or they take your lifestyle change as implied criticism of them because they ARE having dessert. But saying you're not that into sweet things anymore is less judgemental to their ears. You could have cake but wouldn't enjoy it as much as them, they can tell themselves.

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Thanks nutella that is really helpful I am going to try it.

[Badgoushk]

Hi PosiePootlePerkins,

I cut out all refined sugar like cakes, biscuits, sweets, chocolate. I also cut out any white carbs: white pasta, bread, rice, etc. I eat wholegrain and wild rice, wholewheat pasta and wholemeal bread. I only have 2 slices of bread a day though and wholewheat pasta about twice a week. Mainly I have the wholegrain and wild rice.

I cut out all fruit initially but it wasn't sustainable for me so I reintroduced low sugar fruits like raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. I occasionally have a banana/apple/nectarine.

I avoid all dried fruit. I never have artificial sweeteners. I avoid alcohol.

In the first month I lost a stone without really trying but then I plateau'd for two months until I made some more changes. From April I cut out cheese, butter and crisps. I swim 3 x a week and I limit myself to 2000 calories a day. The weight has literally dropped off! I'm rarely hungry and this feels sustainable for life!

A typical days food:

Breakfast...
2 fried eggs in 5ml olive oil
2 slices wholegrain seeded bread
A yeo children's yoghurt (no refined sugar)
Some berries
Tea with full fat milk x 2

Morning:
Tea with full fat milk

Lunch:
Half a bag of microwave wholegrain and wild rice
Tin of tuna
1 large avocado
Salad
Yoghurt
Berries
Tea with full fat milk

Afternoon snack:
150g edamame

Dinner:
Lean meat or fish with plenty of veg
Rice or pasta
Berries
Tea with full fat milk.

I use my fitness pal to track kcal and I aim for 35-40% carbs. I don't mind how much fat I eat as I know it is all good fats (olive oil, salmon, avocado, olives, eggs, etc).

My cholesterol is very low despite all the eggs!

Very occasionally I'll have a treat but I don't crave them. Eg, a sorbet on holiday, some chocolate Guinness cske on my Dad's birthday, an ebi raisukaree in Wagamama yesterday (1200 kcal!!!!???).

I'm more than happy to answer more questions and offer support to anyone who needs it. Also, I'm medical so am fairly sensible! ;0)

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Thanks so much Sorry again for thread hijack! Really helpful, am feeling motivated. It feels like something I can achieve.

[Badgoushk]

You're welcome. It is totally achieveable and I feel like it's a change forever xxx

[SesameSparkle]

bad interesting diet - it's nice to see you can enjoy a decent quantity of food and still lose weight and get healthy.

Some good advice here sugary I'd suggest trying it for a month initially. In addition to cutting out refined sugars you might consider avoiding dried fruit, all fruit juices/orange juice etc, jam and chutneys etc (where practicable) and anything with sweeteners in. Sweeteners are out as they help sustain the taste for sugary things.

I am mostly sugar free day to day but might still enjoy 2-3 sugary treats across a whole week. These are well chosen things I plan to enjoy, rather than everyday cheap junk shared out in the office. E.g a slice of cake in a nice café at the weekend or 20g of dark chocolate. I also eat a couple of pieces of sugary fruit each day (usually an apple and a clementine) for snacks plus some fresh berries at breakfast time. I currently feel able to resist when I want to and feel in control of my diet. This approach was responsible for about 3-4st of weight loss without dieting. But I found one I plateaued I needed to examine other parts of my diet.

[CoffeeCrisis]

if you're thinking of doing it we could start a thread

I was thinking of giving up sugar (again!!! ) this week

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Coffee crisis I would join in with a thread, am on day 3 and its going OK. Kind of making up my own rules and not being extra strict, I am having fruit and also one slice of bread per day in the morning, with poached eggs. No alcohol, no cake, biscuits etc, and trying to avoid added sugar although it is in everything! I am not after rapid weight loss, I've been there and it all went back on again. Just sensible long term changes which hopefully will help me lose weight gradually.

[CoffeeCrisis]

I've started a thread!

I started it in Food because it seemed more of a food/ lifestyle choice rather than JUST to lose weight

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/food_and_recipes/2727434-The-sugar-and-booze-free-thread-well-most-of-the-time?watched=1