What about sugar-free?

[misshardbroom]

I posted something along these lines in Chat yesterday but nobody caaaaaaaaredddd [sob]

Anyway, inspired by earlier thread about dairy-free diets, I wondered if anyone had successfully cut refined sugar out of their diet?

I don't have any strong medical reason for doing it, but given the quantities I consume, it really can't be doing me any good. I've put on a lot of weight recently and I know that sugar is my biggest downfall.

About 10 years ago I was advised by a kinesiologist to cut out sugar and yeast, and I stuck with it for about 4 months. I did definitely feel better for it, despite my shocking lack of willpower.

Any advice or experience?

I don't eat sugar

I think I'm a bit addicted to it and if I start can't seem to stop (ie 1 or 2 biscuits won't do, end up having most of the packet)

So had to just cut it out completely. Was good for the waistline and just makes me feel better generally

I had to do it cold turkey though, which was hard initially

tell me more, not now, how hard was cold turkey and how did you do it?

(agree completely with the not being able to stop part... I laugh in the face of these magazine articles that say 'don't deprive yourself, if you want chocolate, let yourself have a square'.... A square?? One family-sized bar of Caramel later I'm still at it!)

Just cut it out completely

Was hard at the beginning

I fill myself up on a massive bowl of muesli (the natural, sugar free type - Waitrose Organic is a good one) which keeps me full until lunch

Herbal tea is good, as is drinking lots of water

You gradually get used to it. It was l9ike stopping fags for me

hmmm... couldn't stop fags until I got pregnant with DD. Might be a bit of an extreme way to kick my sugar habit

Doing well so far though, despite DH sitting in front of me scoffing a mahoosive M&S chocolate bunny.

Easter has been tough, I must confess

I found frozen grapes a good way of weaning myself off the craving for sugar as they taste very sweet.

Everyone worries about fat content being unhealthy but sugar is much more evil imo.

I feel so much better for giving it up. I am thinner too.

I would only advise not to replace the sugar in your diet with artificial sweeteners as these do not stop your cravings, and artificial sweeteners have their own concerns.

I've been following slimming world for a few weeks and whilst I've not cut sugar completely I am certainly eating a lot, lot less than I used to, and you do get used to not eating cakes, biscuits etc.

I eat a lot of fruit chopped up with natural yogurt as breakfast, desert and snacks.

So those of you who have eliminated sugar from your diet, tell me what the rules are.

Do you allow yourself honey (e.g. drizzled over yogurt and berries)?

Would you put a spoonful of sugar or honey into savoury recipes that call for it, e.g. sugar in a tomato sauce?

What about occasions like your child's birthday... would you let yourself have a slice of cake, or would that just be (literally) the thin end of the wedge?

Here are my rules:

No confectionary or sweet baked goods (no chocolate obv)

Honey in porridge. No sweet spreads on bread though (jam too sweet for me, I ended up eating loads of toast just so I can have jam on it)

No sugary drinks

BUT:

Will put sugar in a recipe as an ingredient if required (ie home-made mint sauce or something)

And I do let myself have a piece of birthday cake (just a little bit )