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?

Not so far, although sugar products can cost your teeth, I think.

Day 5 and temptation everywhere. My friend has posted pic after pic of cakes she’s baked and even Corrie is all about sweets and biscuits!!

I was going to post earlier about the smooth teeth! Way less plaque 👍🏻

I've literally just noticed the smooth teeth thing! Yay! It isn't the advantage / effect I'm aiming for, but it shows it is making a difference already!

I’ve cut out the refines sugar from pop, cakes, biscuits etc. I refuse to cut down on natural sugars as although too much of these are bad they have significant other nutritional be benefits. I was shocked today that a yoghurt has 6 cubes of sugar according to the booklet my kids got sent home with from school! I love yoghurt! But again it’s one of the only dairy products I have as I don’t like to drink milk and cheese gives me headaches. I have given up
Potatoes, rice and pasta too and I can honestly say I haven’t craved any of them. I’ve had a few naughty days this week but I’ve carefylly selected what I was having. So a plain
Biscuit Rather then chocolate as more likely not to go overboard.

Hello, joining this thread as I’m on Day 5 of going sugar and caffeine free.

I’ve not had any physical symptoms; I have emotional eating issues, so the challenge for me is going to be resisting sugary foods when I have difficult days.

I’m spending some time today writing out a ‘treats’ list to plan for when this happens. It’s going to have things on there like watching films and comedy shows, plan a night at the theatre or a music gig, playing a cheerful playlist, so I try to replace the habit of reaching for sugar when I feel anxious or sad, with a more positive habit.

I've noticed a change in my tastes, and I only started on Tuesday. I made a vegan pate, basically lentils and walnuts, it was a bit bland / dry so I thought 'I know, I'll add olives'. I have never had that thought in my life! I also keep adding stilton to stuff, such as spinach. Is anyone else putting salty food on everything to compensate for the lack of sugar? Does it wear off? Will I have to be cutting out salt next?

Hi, I have also cut out sugar. I followed a thread on here last year where someone wasn’t going to eat any food with more than 5g of sugars per 100g. I found that easy enough to follow - it immediately cut out all the obvious high sugar foods (cakes, biscuits etc) but also made me look at other less obvious food. It was hard going for the first week or so - teeth grinding and headaches - but after that I really got into it. If I wanted to snack I’d have a few nuts or cheese and oatcakes. I also have a tiny piece of 85-90% dark chocolate if I feel a craving (it is slightly over the 5g rule but keeps me going). I’m not a huge fruit eater so that also helped me too. I also don’t use artificial sweetener.
I haven’t cut out carbs but I am also trying to eat less of them too. I find soups are the way to go! I’ve lost over a stone since I started last year.

How's everyone doing?

I'm a week in, but doing ok. I've been away for four days of this week. Feeling quite positive that I'm doing it so far!

I had a massive migraine on day 2 (and 3) which I hadn't connected to the no sugar, but probably was. I've come out at work as sugar free, so I'd better stick to it! Also I don't want to go through that migraine again.

People who have been doing this a while, how do you handle social situations, parties, birthdays etc. I've got a lot going on for January and will cave to social pressure sooner than cravings.

When I did it before for eight months I just didn't tell anyone. If we went outdoor a meal and everyone was having dessert I'd just say "I'm pretty full, I'll just have a scoop of ice cream". Or I'd have a drink but take a lot longer over it, and have a glass of water too. People seem to leave you alone and not pick at you if you have something rather than nothing! Once in a while a tiny bit won't do any harm, as long as that once in a while doesn't become all the time!

Hello, well I've been doing this for two weeks now and have mostly been fine. I have craved sugary foods a few times though. Stress and feeling sorry for myself are my biggest triggers! If day I'm craving sugar 20-30% of the time. If I am going to, I don't think about it at all right up until after dinner when I guess force of habit creeps up on me.

I did this for 7 months once and think I remember that it gets easier and you stop thinking about it so much. Once you break the habit really and for me, after dinner is a big association.

Broke through pain barrier and lost all cravings. Had friends round sat and ate a cookie then ice cream. Was so sweet. Just got back on it next day no problem

I’ve it refined sugar (but not fructose),dairy and gluten as well as potato/rice.

11 days in and it’s much easier although I’ve found I did feel faint and very headaches but I’m sleeping better and waking up without wanting to press snooze!

Since 1st Jan I’ve “lost” 4lbs which I was initially disappointed with but I’m eating so much healthy food.

I’ve tried not to substitute things but I have bought goat milk butter for full grain bread (occasional treat - the heavy German rye bread you can’t really toast 😂). Although I have this week bought some non dairy, non gluten and non sugar chocolate. It’s interesting but not nice enough to go mad and eat a whole bar.

I refuse to give up fruit. I could probably lose a lot if j stopped but I think blood sugar is an issue for me and bananas and dates are a good quick fix. I’m also finding citrus fruit far sweeter to they are a total treat now and a good pudding.

Shopping seems to take a shed load of time, a lot of highly spiced food has been on the menu and lots of coconut based meals :). This is a quiet work time for me so I’ve had time to focus on planning my food, I’m also quite a keen cook but it’s really hard :) it is getting easier though.

Typically dh has lost 7lbs whilst drinking and eating a normal lunch 🙄

Any good recipes please point in my direction :)

The last couple of days have been a real willpower challenge! It’s very clearly linked to my menstrual cycle though, as sugary things are what I’m patterned to eat, whenever I go into The PMS Zone.

I managed to resist but I know the weekend, when I’ve got peak PMS, plus more time on my hands, is going to be the hardest. I’ve got my distractions and alternative treats ready though...

Poohbear’sHole, I think 4lbs is good for two weeks. I know you often get big losses at the start of some diets, but that’s a healthy loss and once you’re into it and over the initial craving it’s easier to stick to.

Ketchup can you substitute the usual sugar you might have had with pms for something like grapes or a banana? Still sugar but not the bad type..

I’m a week in and seem to be 2lbs down, so feeling like it’s a start.

I’m really impatient so it seems to be taking its time 😂 but I’m really happy with my food choices and feel pretty good. Also I know that realistically 2lbs a week is a good loss.

I do get fed up of people saying “oh I lost 4lbs one week not drinking” ..... that gets to me 😂

Dh always does this though but I’m not sure his bowel movements are particularly reliable so he may just have lost a couple of pounds 🤪

@honeyroar I am trying to go full cold turkey on sweet tasting things, so I am just accepting that I have a grim week ahead of me, that will be worth it long term!

I’m going to start working in a bit of fruit from week 4 or 5, I think.

What I’ve been dreading has started to happen today - stuck in a rut! Was craving eggs on toast for breakfast and nothing else would do so I had my first piece of bread of the year!!!! 2 eggs.
Lunch I fried up (no fat) a load of random veg and had 2 potato cakes with it (no added sugar but very carby!!) oops!! Had a very stressful morning with the baby banging his head very badly, and DH been away all week and 3 yo driving me mad, so definitely eating worse due to tiredness and stress!

To be honest though, that's not "bad" food. Don't beat yourself up too much. Especially with all that going on.

Thanks honey! Thing is I already eat really well (have for years), don’t drink, smoke or eat meat so there’s not much else I can do other than really watch my carbs/sugar and portion size. I’m over 15 stone!

Noticied I've gone off fruit. Didn't give it up but not keen on it and don't crave it. Normally love fruit. Still have ice cream cravings though lol

Hi, so what are people's long term plans with this?

I have quit sugar until my birthday (a couple of months). Not sure what I want to do after that. I really wanted to just redress the balance of the month or two before Christmas where I was having chocolate everyday. Perhaps i'll leave it to weekends, as part of dessert or something, instead of any old time, which becomes all the time. But I don't think I can reasonably expect myself to quit forever. Just doesn't seem realistic.

I’m hoping to keep going. I have a lot of weight to lose and it worked well for me last time (only did 8/9 months though). I found it quite easy and didn’t feel deprived. It seems to suit me aa a diet.

I’ve slipped a bit this past week but overall way better than my way of eating before quitting sugar. I just ate 2 of DS’s kinder bars (they’re tiny but like 6g of sugar each 😄) BUT onwards and upwards. Tightening the reins to the end of January (just so I have a goal in mind; will keep going into feb too). I’m teaching cake decorating again tongught so wish me luck 😄