Benefits you’ve found giving up / significantly reducing sugar

[Llamasally]

I have so many reasons to give up but I still don’t. I’m going to list some reasons to get started, but I’d love to hear from folks that have kicked the habit about what benefits you have seen? And if you can also share how you did it that would be amazing

my reasons so far:

• I get ongoing issues with thrush
• awful fatigue and crashes after eating
• new skin tags
• not performing my best in my sport
• embarrassed seeing old friends instead of glad
• intermittent break outs
• clothes don’t look good
• i have a great figure underneath my unnecessary 1-2 stone!

Thank you @alloutofcareunits 😊

@whatcanidotobelieve interesting isn't it? I'm not giving up sugar in fruit, milk etc just refined sugar in cake/sweets etc. I got weighed this morning, see how I get on....

The coffee discussion is interesting because that's something I've not cut. I enjoy the occasional fancy coffee and haven't gone fully sugar free.

Because of sweeteners I have been having fewer 'real' sugar things but keeping eating the normal version of them rather than the low/no sugar version.

Does anyone have any information about how that approach compares to the low/no sugar versions of products?

Omg I've found my people.

I've reduced my sugar intake as well as eating healthier and I so feel the difference. Been at it since April and I have lost weight and generally feel so much better. I've cut down significantly on refined sugars. Still have the odd biscuit etc but very mindfully.

Looking forward to more health benefits and learning from you.

Can I please join? Slowly weaning myself off sugar and UPF's as well as caffeine and alcohol. I know I am going to hit a sugar crash in the next day or so. Any tips? My downfall is usually evening when I crave a sugary treat .

Sorry should mention I mean refined sugars, still eating fruit , milks etc

@fjsoaar eat protein!

I have a clear protein drink with my meal and it's reduced night time snacking by about 90%.

Also just go to sleep if you can.

Eat protein!

Chicken, salmon, eggs, real Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, lentils, edamames, almonds...

I've accidentally given up sugar. I was heading that way anyway as I noticed how unwell it made me but then I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

I'm not doing it for the cancer, I'm doing it because it means no more hrt!

What I'm uncertain about is if we count brown bread as an UPF?

I lost too much weight in the last month when I started avoiding it and am someone who does need some carbs.

I'm going for brown, or rye/ brown sourdough types.

I don't know whether to continue the porridge and water I've had for 30 years! I have frozen blueberries and cherries with some skyr in it. Or just plain. (I managed th from the honey many years ago.)

My one vice is 70% chocolate which I can have too much of. But am phasing to 80%.

Oh and I've quit the orange juice. I always had it with water but it's still sugary

I've discovered pea milk. Split yellow peas. High protein. More calcium than cows milk. Used to have Oatley but that's got more sugar. It's called "Mighty Pea milk" - I think also trying to be good eco wise.

This one

I am having milk in my morning cup of tea though!

I think supermarket bread is ultra processed, because of all the extra to extend the shelf life. I use a bakery or a bread machine these days. Or even mega priced sourdough is cheap and quick to make yourself once you get into a routine.

This is such an interesting thread - I always have horrible skin if I have a run of having sweet stuff every day, but I had a vague memory of the 'does chocolate cause spots' theory being debunked a while back so figured it was coincidence but reading this thread it makes sense!

What?! Just from cutting out sugar? That's amazing if so. Do you mean things like no junk nothing with added sugar, not all carbs because obviously they say even starch breaks down to sugar even Wholemeal etc whole grain versions.

. I use a bakery or a bread machine these days. Or even mega priced sourdough is cheap and quick to make yourself once you get into a routine
I use a bread machine when I'm WFH. If I put it on before I get DC up then it will be ready mid morning and there for lunch.

On bread days I definitely eat more bread than I would otherwise because I have a weak spot for home made bread, but overall I find it a good swap. I'd rather have home made bread toasted with peanut butter as a mid morning snack than other foods.

I find sugar makes me feel nauseous and just lacking in any energy at all. The rest of the crap I eat likely doesn’t help. I have up sugar 4 years ago just before meeting boyfriend and I really felt much better but with meeting someone new, going out for meals etc eating the wrong things I put on a load of weight.

I really need to lose it all, so giving it up again as not much else seems to work. My knees are wrecked and I am sluggish etc so hopefully it’ll work along with changing my diet to healthier options. Fed up being miserable and nothing fitting etc

I don't follow a plan or diet or book. I just ("just") cut out the crap. I've been around long enough to have a pretty clear view of what is crap and what isn't. And to know I need to ensure I get a good amount of fibre.

But my lifestyle and lifestage does make this doable - empty nest, able to eat at regular mealtimes, at home most lunchtimes.

@Ikeameatballlunch that's really interesting, I haven't seen pea milk before! Sorry about your diagnosis, hope you're okay