Anyone sugar free at Christmas

[chicken2015]

I read David Gillespie book sweet poison beginning of the year and gave up fuctose for 5 months, felt amazing but relapsed when found out was pregnant due to cravings, ive gave up sugar again nov 1st, and decided to carry on over Christmas, as dont want to keep stopping and starting. Main reason is id be going back to sugar mainly for society's norms and not becaise i want to. If that makes sense, im wondering if anyone else is and looking for recipes to make new traditions, i will have powdered glucose and rice malt syrup which is glucose in syrup form.

Just wanted to add we will be hosting christmas so will be fine baking any sugar free recipes , will also be providing normal christmas food for everyone else.

Sugar free usually contains a lot of preservatives and chemicals which we don’t yet understand the impact of (however, prelim studies suggest this could be part of the reason for drop in life expectancy amongst non-overweight younger people). Also, glucose syrup is hugely unhealthy that is basically pure sugar you’re mainlining your system with (our body breaks nearly everything to that) — only sick people need that.

When i say sugar free i mean i do not eat 1 type of sugar; fructose and carry on eating glucose and lactose as the body cannot function without them. I dont mean processed food that says sugar free.
And when i mention glucose powder or rice malt syrup, i only have these occasionlly like a treat so someone would have a piece of cake, i might have a piece of cake i baked used powdered glucose instead. It has more detailed description of the why in the book.

I've been sugar free for a while now and managed fine last Xmas. If you have a look at Madeline Shaw's website she has great recipes and tips. It's more about 'clean eating' than replacing sugar with other sweeteners but uses things like honey and dates or coconut sugar where a recipe needs it. Your taste buds change after a while and I don't crave sweet stuff now. Good for you!

Thank you for reply and suggestions, im not trying to convert anyone to my way of eating im just asking if anyone else is following.

You don't eat any fruit at all?

Yes i eat up to 2 Pieces a day, once i stop craving sugar (after about 3 months) dont always want them, dont eat dried fruit or fruit juice

A Christmas without sugar. ......... I think I need some smelling salts

This blog has lots of good fructose free recipes including mince pies! www.raisingsugarfreekids.com

I'm not following it the David Gillespie way more low carb now.

I'm not at all questioning you; more genuinely curious - how can you see a benefit from cutting out one form of sugar; but still consume it in fruit, in relatively high amounts (if you eat two pieces every day?)

Is it more that you've drastically cut your sugar intake; rather than that you're sugar free?

I've not read the book yet; but I was under the impression you got rid of sugar entirely and replaced with natural alternatives like honey and coconut to see the benefits of being "sugar free"

Sugar free Christmas? How depressing

Anyone interested in this should read the book as it explains in detail why he thinks fructose (and sucrose as it is half fructose)is bad for you in large quantities. It's basically to do with the liver being unable to process it. Small amounts especially in natural fruit with its own fibre are ok as the liver can handle that.

It sounds a bit faddy to me, to be honest.

I'm happy with the 'everything in moderation' approach.

I dont always eat 2 pieces of fruit, i have an addiction to sugar and when i stop eating sugar it stops me wanting it , which would before cause me to over eat , like someone has explained , it explains everything on why and how in book. Yes everything in moderation, however if u r unable to do that it works for me, to go cold turkey. like a alcoholic giving up alcohol because they r unable to have drink in moderation.
Also i think it is socially ingrained in us to eat lots pf sweet treats at Christmas. And i dont want to eat them because of that i just need to tweak a few recipes. I appreciate you dont need the why of my reasoning, just thought id say anyways.

I’m a T1 diabetic. It’s no big deal, just find special things you can eat (cheese!!)

I eat low-carb because it gives me the best control.

There’s a lot of recipes out there.

Last year I made a chocolate & hazelnut tart. Used 90% dark chocolate & cream for the filling. Ground hazelnut & almonds for the base. Sweetened with Stevia. Was very rich so a small slice would do.

Berries & cream is another simple option.

I've been sugar free for two years and find christmas relatively easy now. I buy in all the usual stuff for DH and kids but don't touch it. I don't eat fruit or sweets but i do gorge happily on cheese and lots of meat and vegetables. I make roasted sliced veg chips to dip into nice dips and things like that. Having watched That Sugar Movie i think baking cakes with any kind of sugar still kicks off my addiction as it gives my brain the same kick so I wouldn't touch them personally.

Well done for getting back on track with this.

Honey and dates are very high in fructose as I am sure you know.

I attempted a refined fructose free Christmas once and made ice cream with glucose powder - tasted metallic - and nut mince pies which were ok.

I think the main thing is to really enjoy the turkey, roast potatoes, satumers and cheese and not try to substitute the sweet stuff. Don’t have a deprived mindset.