Anyone else cutting down on refined sugar?

[Blackpanthers]

Seeing if anyone else is doing the same. I've one huge withdrawal headache tonight. I try to eat natural foods and not sugar alternatives and I'm feeling it tonight. I couldn't even have a g and t. Ha!

Anyway the headache has made me all the more determined because sugar isn't good for my mood either.

If anyone has any suggested natural alternatives, I'd love to hear them
My go to is unsweetened chai tea or brushing my teeth.

Anyone else doing the same?

I didn't use the methods, I just found the facts interesting, but Paul McKenna's book might help?

I'm only on day 1 today, but when I did it two years ago I found keeping a diary helped. I bought a page per day diary, and wrote everything I ate in it. I also kept a graph of weight loss, it was great seeing that constant line going down the graph. What I didn't do, but wished I had, was to measure my arms, thighs, waist and hips, as I definitely lost lots of inches, but I was never sure how much.

I think it's best to just do it. I'm a total sweets/chocs/cake addict too, yet I managed. Try and use sweeter fruits as a swop - banana or grapes. They still have sugar, but in a natural form, and are way better for you than the chocolate you may have had.. Peppermint tea seemed to quell cravings for me too.

I'm reading the Allan Carr book as recommended upthread. It is quite hardcore - includes pasta, potatoes and rice in the list of foods to avoid. I'm just wondering what people who do this eat for tea? I imagine cous cous is also banned? I'm nesh and want hot food, but can't live on soup and dahl, so any ideas welcome. Also one of my kids can't tolerate spicy food, so options that can be made bland would be especially useful!

I've temporarily stopped eating cake, biscuits, desserts and sweet things generally (from 27th Dec). I'm not overweight but was eating far too much sugar and it makes me hungry, grumpy and spotty.
I speed-read the Allen Carr book first and it helped, although some of it I disagreed with ("babies do not naturally have a sweet tooth").

I know from experience that as long as I keep at it, it'll be easier and easier to stick to. One chocolate biscuit and I'll be struggling for days. Still eating fruit, ketchup etc.

I read this thread on Sunday morning as I was thinking of quitting sugar, then I read the Allen Carr weight loss book. Omg. Its bizarre. I have done two long shifts at work and normally the song of the vending machine is irresistible - I wasn't even tempted. I didn't have to resist any urges to buy junk because poof! the urges were gone. Today I had a small bowl of porridge and a banana, some chicken and veg soup, some blueberries, and some chicken and pasta in a tomato and olive sauce, and am totally satisfied.

I hope the magic lasts.

I’ve just posted this on a ‘what did you eat today’ thread but thought it was fitting to be shared here too:

1/3rd cup porridge (oats, frozen blueberries, water, about 2 inch of banana (mashed), almond butter). That’s shared with the 2 kids so I didn’t eat all that.

Nakd cashew cookie bar which i really shouldn’t have had - post-gym, only ingredients are cashews and dates

Sweet potato toast (2 slices),
half an avocado,
1 egg over easy (nonstick pan so no oil needed)
3/4 of an apple and 2 tsp ish almond butter(I’m addicted)

Puff pastry pizza/tart with red pesto, broccoli, tomato, sweet corn, cheddar, Stilton.
Big side salad (romaine, spinach, cucumber).
Carrots and french beans (for the 3 year old’s component!)

I’m enormous, the GP told me to lose weight today and I can’t and I’ve been trying for more than 10 years 😭😭😭

I am just at a total loss what else I can do. I don’t think I can try much harder. I have plantar fasciitis so the high-impact exercise I used to do lots is a no-go as my feet would be basically unusable the next day.

I’ve been doing this since October, I’ve had some of my own birthday cake but that’s it, except for some fruit but no cakes, choc biscuits or anything else as I’m just so greedy really.

@Kaykay as you are a few months in I am wondering what difference cutting the refined sugar has made to you? Any changes in weight, skin, mood?

I’m just a few days in but have resolved to give up the cakes, biscuits, choc etc this year. Going ok so far but definately missing the sugar. Feel a bit low. But sticking with it as I turn 40 this year and want to feel good for the milestone birthday! I too am a greedy wench 😋

I have almost finished the Allen Carr book and it's got to the point where you are meant to eat your last 'bad sugar' meal. I can honestly say I can't bring myself to do it and have zero interest in eating anything with refined sugar in. I'm not so convinced by the pasta/potato part so will probably continue to eat them. I hope it continues! I also felt really strong in my circuits class tonight and didn't feel the need to refuel after. I just had a few nuts and I was satisfied so I stopped.

I feel great, less sluggish, skin is great still occasional spot. I’ve lost weight too not loads but I also need to cut down bread products.

I basically gave up because I just couldn’t stop at one chocolate or biscuit and I felt awful but it’s made a big difference to me. Saves money too! Funnily enough I turned 40 on Sunday there and I did it for same reasons so well worth it
Don’t even miss cakes etc now I’m a nurse so we have loads of chocolate etc handed in I’ve eaten none. Good luck you can do it because If I can anyone can

Arggghh so annoyed! DH made dinner tonight - chicken curry. When I tasted it it seemed sweet, he said it was probably the almonds. The more I ate the less I was convinced. After he admitted that there were 2 tsp of sugar in it. Don't get me wrong, between 4 of us that's not much but I am upset that he did it knowing I have been sugar free for days.

I am also shocked how I could taste it so easily!

makintithappen I would be a bit annoyed too, i mean, that's unnecessary sugar to me. I was really surprised that the last time I gave up sugar, I couldn't eat a corn on the cob because it was disgustingly sugary. Weird.I got used to it again though!

I feel like i'm having my first real feeling of temptation because i'm am still exhausted from work, loads of life admin and feeling tired and overwhelmed generally. This is where i would normally eat chocolate. I won't but feel like i'm missing a comfort. DH is away with work. I'm on my own.

I recommend David Gillespie’s Sweet poison quit plan. Lots of practical advice about what to eat and how to change your habits and what the withdrawal period is like. I am quitting sugar again now via the OurPath app which is great but have gone back to the book to talk me through withdrawal from sugar / refined fructose.

Part read the thread and need to dash soon but wanted to added myself - I've given up my usual 2 sugars in coffee since new year. I was drinking 4 cups a day during the week

So far so good, I'm still getting used to it without sugar. Otherwise, I don't each much choc, might have a biscuit if they're about, no fizzy drinks.

I did have a splitting headache the few days after.

I'll reread upwards later, thanks for the post OP and all joiners, it's good to hear your experiences.

2 weeks in ish and I’m still not really missing it and definitely not feeling any withdrawal symptoms so wondering if I’m doing something wrong 😄😄 my osteopath and GP are very impressed with me though I must admit 💁🏼‍♀️ It seems to be going unnervingly well. I’m still as large as ever though! :(

I didn't have any withdrawal symptoms either Bendy, when I last did it, and I'm a total chocoholic normally. I'm surprised you've not noticed any differences yet, but stick at it.

Makinithappen, I'd be annoyed with my husband too!

I'm on day 3, seeming ok so far.

Am I the only one struggling with what to eat / not eat? I want to stop binging on sugar, but depending on which book I read, I should limit fruit, eliminate wheat, or reduce dairy. Oh, and stop eating potatoes and rice! I can't realistically live on limited fruit, veg, nuts and meat! I don't mean I'd die, I mean I want to eat something more substantial sometimes! What sugar free meals are people enjoying? Especially something that is full of non meat protein, I try to eat a few days veggie and a few days with meat as an enhancer, rather than the meal.

Love if you have a look on the low carb section of the weight loss topic, there are quite a few recipe threads.

I know what you mean though, it’s hard to find something tasty and satisfying without carbs. If you cook most meals from scratch, so you know there’s no added sugar, and avoid processed foods, I think that’s a pretty good start. It’s a bit hardcore if you start cutting out potatoes, rice etc.

I have something with eggs for breakfast - smoked salmon, mushrooms, asparagus. Then salad with tuna mayonnaise for lunch, and spaghetti bolognaise (no spaghetti!) and loads of green veg for dinner.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/low_carb_bootcamp/3146576-Vegetarian-Low-Carb-Recipes

Thanks skinny! I want to give up cakes etc for life. I'm not keen on forgoing spuds or rice, but if it helps break the addiction I'll do it for a while! I'll have a look at the bootcamp veggie recipes.

I don’t think I want to give up cakes for life - I’d rather give up potatoes and rice! But that’s because I’m a sugar addict and need to break the habit too. Ultimately I want to get to the point where I can have the odd slice of cake, but it doesn’t make me fall into a carby hole.

Any reduction has got to be a good thing, right?!

I tried the odd slice of cake thing last year and went back to full sugar eating. I don't think I'm.a moderation sort of person, unfortunately! I want to model healthy eating to my kids, which includes having one or two slices of toast without having to finish the loaf. They eat waaay too much sugar so I'm planning to lead by example! But once I've broken the habit, I won't crave it, right...?

I’m not a moderation type either!

Love 51 I’m veggie. I eat frittatas (feta, cherry toms and peas is my fave). Haloumi salads. Tonight I did a Thai veg curry with a huge assortment of veg (butternut, sweet pots, green beans, carrots, sugarsnaps, courgette, mushrooms, peppers and onions) plus cashew nuts for protein with wild rice. I eat a lot of rice, pasta and potatoes. I couldn’t possibly cut them out! It worked for me last time. I tend to avoid processed food and sugars where possible, and if I do have processed things I aim for less than 5% sugar.

Ooh that sounds nice. My fussy kids eat peas and cherry tomatoes. Hopefully they will be ok with feta (one hates cheese but feta is so soft and mild it might be ok!)

Loving these veggie ideas, thanks! I went veggie mid-2018 and now cutting out sugar, it sometimes leaves me at a loss what I can have 😄 feeling really nourished since going low sugar though 😃

My staple healthy veggie base meal is a kind of ratatouille - I fry onions, garlic, peppers, leeks, courgettes and mushrooms and add them tins of chopped toms. It makes a lovely pasta sauce. I add chickpeas and curry powder for a chickpea curry, which goes great with baked pot or cous cous. I've made good veggie chilli and bolognaise with cooked green lentils in beef Bisto gravy (which is weirdly meat free) instead of mince. It also makes good shepherd's pies. Hope they help. Any of your veggie & healthy recipes would be welcome. 😊

Is anyone else experiencing a sweet taste in their mouth since giving up sugar? Also my teeth feel really smooth! Is it just me?