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A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Has anyone gone sugar free and stuck with it.

44 replies

billybagpuss · 05/04/2021 08:12

I have had no sugar since 4 March. I’ve cut all sweets, chocolate, pudding and sweet soft drinks. And crisps.

I was awful, I was literally stuffing myself it was unhealthy and undignified.

I am still drinking wine at weekends as I read it’s the fructose that gets fermented into alcohol and fructose is the bad bit that bypasses the body’s calories calculator so that’s ok, this is my only rule bending.

I feel better, I’ve lost 10lb, I want to carry on. Has anyone gone from full blown addict to sugar free and stuck to it? I’d really appreciate any tips.

OP posts:
thenewaveragebear1983 · 05/04/2021 08:32

Yep, I've done 8 months, since 20th July

I don't eat sugar in any form as an ingredient in any product, so no honey, dextrose, maltodextrin etc. The only sweet food I eat is whole, fresh fruit, and that's probably 2-3 times a week max as it just tastes so sweet now. I do eat starchy veg as well in small quantities, usually only on a Sunday (potato/parsnip) and I eat carrot sticks etc.

Stick with it! I gave up dairy and grains as well and I have found it easier this time that when I have given up sugar in isolation. I think it's because with no dairy, grain or sugar, there is pretty much no junk food. I don't snack, I just eat my 3 meals a day, lots of good fats, protein and loads of veg. It's a very clean way to eat.

How are you finding it so far?

Carrive · 05/04/2021 08:38

Marking a place out of interest - I once read an article that lab rats exposed to water laced with cocaine and water laced with sugar, become more addicted to the sugar laced water.

I’m trying to limit my sugar intake and keen to hear other peoples’ stories.

cheeseisthebest · 05/04/2021 08:40

Following. I've just completed the LCHF boot camp and about to start the next week. But I have slipped up with the sugar. How do you get the willpower to carry on?

thenewaveragebear1983 · 05/04/2021 08:45

I will add as well, I was full blown sugar addict. I have an incredibly sweet tooth (eg could eat icing from the bowl or eat a pack of creme eggs)
I still have a sweet tooth, Easter has been difficult. I just think the longer you go without, the more distance you put between you and sugar. By that, I mean I used to be unable to stop myself with sugar and I would binge and it would feel very frenzied and chaotic. Now, I have this calmness around it, which means I can give myself that moment of thinking time and leave it.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 05/04/2021 08:50

@cheeseisthebest I did low carb for a long time. I found that having none is so much easier than having a small amount (I have never been a 2 squares of dark chocolate kind of person!)
Low carb tends to be quite cheese heavy and cheese is very insulinogenic, addictive and although doesn't have sugar per se, those opiate-replicating qualities are very 'sugar like' (see comment from pp above about lab rats and cocaine, well cheese had similar opioid effect in some people)
My sugar cravings reduced dramatically when I cut out dairy.

cheeseisthebest · 05/04/2021 08:51

I'm the same as you and I do now find some sweet stuff far too sweet. But I can't stop the cravings and I have given in recently. Mind you some easter chocolate made me feel really sick.

Ylvamoon · 05/04/2021 08:52

I've done it with refined sugar. I have it on the odd occasion and find the product far to sweet!
I just eat "whole foods" so have fruit, vegetables and starchy foods that have natural sugars. Just make sure you have a balanced diet with foods from all groups.

EffOffCovid · 05/04/2021 08:55

I was sugar free for two whole weeks even yesterday I watched the children eat chocolate and even declined their offerings. Went to my mum's (garden visit) and cracked when there was cake left near my (socially distanced) end of the table. So really you are doing way better than me. Still, I'm determined to carry on as I was, as I felt so much better. I did this two years ago and was happier with my figure. Tips wise I would just say keep on eating interesting salads if you have time to make them (think protein all the time with small snacks - allowed two snacks per day). I also tried one exante shake per day (at my bravest) and then a dinner that was heavy on vegetables and a sensible portion of meat, fish etc. Omlette (one yolk and two whites) for breakfast. Educated myself about portion size. Didn't give up white coffee. Tried to exercise (noticed weights helped). I have so little time now it's walking as my exercise and just keeping myself from eating cookies, chocolate, desserts like puddings. I also cut out alcohol and haven't looked back (that one was hard first few days). I feel less "foggy". Good luck OP!!!

thelegohooverer · 05/04/2021 09:15

Nope. I’ve managed 6 months off chocolate and 2 of those sugar free before caving to the social pressure.

Following for tips.

BadgeronaMoped · 05/04/2021 09:17

I've done it for several years now, I'm not militant about it, I have the odd pudding if I'm having a pub lunch, birthday cake or a scone at my mum's house etc. I found it really hard at first, and then suddenly it wasn't, the weight I was carrying and trying so hard to lose just melted gradually away (no nasty exercise - I'm not a fan!). I eat pretty plain stuff, all fats are full fat (lovely butter + mayonnaise), I like 'fancy' loaves from sainsbury's, toast, sandwiches and tea. Proper meals are generally cooked from scratch.

For me it was my inability to eat stuff like chocolate in an unrestrained way, so I'd mindlessly munch through a sharing bag or shovel Easter eggs into my mouth... It's been interesting! I used to suffer quite badly with mouth ulcers, but now I don't really get them.

Original poster
billybagpuss · 05/04/2021 09:18

@thenewaveragebear1983

I will add as well, I was full blown sugar addict. I have an incredibly sweet tooth (eg could eat icing from the bowl or eat a pack of creme eggs) I still have a sweet tooth, Easter has been difficult. I just think the longer you go without, the more distance you put between you and sugar. By that, I mean I used to be unable to stop myself with sugar and I would binge and it would feel very frenzied and chaotic. Now, I have this calmness around it, which means I can give myself that moment of thinking time and leave it.
This was/is me, this is what I mean in my op about undignified, and it was daily.

I gave up refined sugar once before but it was almost like giving myself permission then the closer I got to Christmas the more I slipped so I think all or nothing is the only way for me.

So far it’s been ok, I had headaches for the first couple of weeks but that could have been my covid jab.

Easter has been hard, we’ve had visitors in the garden and I’ve made apple crumble and cake, which did take will power which I was quite impressed with, but it hasn’t all gone yet, I may have to throw it away.

I’m not restricting fruit yet and I do find breakfast particularly hard, I’m open to suggestions for that one, I don’t really eat eggs.

OP posts:
Original poster
billybagpuss · 05/04/2021 09:20

My worse time is in between work shifts in the early afternoon when I’m alone and habitually sit and eat crap and watch tv.

OP posts:
Original poster
billybagpuss · 05/04/2021 09:25

@BadgeronaMoped

I've done it for several years now, I'm not militant about it, I have the odd pudding if I'm having a pub lunch, birthday cake or a scone at my mum's house etc. I found it really hard at first, and then suddenly it wasn't, the weight I was carrying and trying so hard to lose just melted gradually away (no nasty exercise - I'm not a fan!). I eat pretty plain stuff, all fats are full fat (lovely butter + mayonnaise), I like 'fancy' loaves from sainsbury's, toast, sandwiches and tea. Proper meals are generally cooked from scratch.

For me it was my inability to eat stuff like chocolate in an unrestrained way, so I'd mindlessly munch through a sharing bag or shovel Easter eggs into my mouth... It's been interesting! I used to suffer quite badly with mouth ulcers, but now I don't really get them.

This sounds like my ideal, and it could be achievable, and ditto the lack of restraint, I just can’t do it.
OP posts:
Original poster
billybagpuss · 05/04/2021 09:27

Yep, I've done 8 months, since 20th July

That’s incredible, hope I can say the same by December.

OP posts:
thenewaveragebear1983 · 05/04/2021 09:29

Breakfasts are tricky for me too, you can see why toast/cereal/orange juice is sold as this convenient breakfast food! Prep is so important. I cook a tray of chicken thighs, I bake sweet potato wedges, I make interesting salads and coleslaws, and then portion them up. Tinned mackerel in olive oil with salad is another of my staple breakfasts.

Social pressure is so massive, plus of course the 'fear of missing out' which I think is why Easter has been tricky for me, because there is something so emotive about the Easter egg, the foil, the treats, and the 'limited' nature of it unlike any other chocolate you can get any day of the week.

Be prepared that people with think you're depriving yourself, they'll assume you're miserable, they'll tell you that 'everything in moderation' is so important- just keep your eyes on the prize!

Original poster
billybagpuss · 05/04/2021 10:02

e prepared that people with think you're depriving yourself, they'll assume you're miserable, they'll tell you that 'everything in moderation' is so important- just keep your eyes on the prize!

I’m actually quite lucky in this respect, I think now we’re older all friends early 50s people are more accepting of these things, also people accept more dietary requirements now too. It was funny at the weekend we had friends around all within legal parameters, dd made a vegetarian chilli as she is veggie and all the people who would normally make fun of her had it before my lasagna. It was polished off very quickly.

OP posts:
thenewaveragebear1983 · 05/04/2021 10:11

@billybagpuss that's good, I get it constantly and lot of people like to explain to me why they are eating x or why they are having Y. One thing I've learned over the years is that people are weird about food.

Original poster
billybagpuss · 05/04/2021 11:29

[quote thenewaveragebear1983]@billybagpuss that's good, I get it constantly and lot of people like to explain to me why they are eating x or why they are having Y. One thing I've learned over the years is that people are weird about food. [/quote]
They are and certainly in our 20s and 30s we would all have been more judgemental and trying to derail people, probably to make ourselves feel better, I know I did it and had the same people do it to me.

My motivation initially had been every time I had a sugar binge, which was regularly/daily I was feeling like I could have been pre diabetic. Mum suffers badly with health and mobility and I don’t want to be like that.

Things I’ve found in the 4 weeks:
Skin better
Eyesight clearer
Feet and hands softer
Sleep better
No indigestion at all
Weight dropped without worrying about portion control

OP posts:
FluffyBlueJumper · 05/04/2021 11:50

I was about to post a similar thread. April 12th will be the end of my 6th sugar-free month. I don't have any starchy carbs, pulses or fruit, but I don't limit my vegetable intake. I have lost LOTS of weight and I am feeling so much better.

The physical cravings are gone. I bake all the time for my DCs and I am not tempted to have some. But I feel the mental dependency is still here. I struggle with stopping to eat at the end of meals (I tend to graze on cheese and vegetable sticks - the calories add up). And I am ashamed to say that if we were told an asteroid was about to wipe out the Earth, I would probably think about stuffing my face before hugging my children Blush.

Original poster
billybagpuss · 05/04/2021 11:59

The physical cravings are gone. I bake all the time for my DCs and I am not tempted to have some. But I feel the mental dependency is still here. I struggle with stopping to eat at the end of meals (I tend to graze on cheese and vegetable sticks - the calories add up). And I am ashamed to say that if we were told an asteroid was about to wipe out the Earth, I would probably think about stuffing my face before hugging my children blush.

Oh god, this is my fear, well done on 6 months and coping through a lockdown Christmas, I don’t think the mental dependency will ever go, this is why I started the thread as I will always be scared of relapse.

I do wonder if sugar is the most addictive thing out there.

As I said before my motivation is more health driven than weight but I do have around 5 surplus stone stored on me. So I’m hoping it will melt away over the year.

OP posts:
Soothes · 05/04/2021 12:02

I have done very long periods and then fallen off the wagon, but I find it much easier now to have a "bad" few days and then get back to sugar free. I can even just have one chocolate from a box now, which I never could before.

Original poster
billybagpuss · 05/04/2021 12:08

Oh @Soothes that would be my dream.

Have people found the ‘I’m full’ hormone has kicked in, I don’t recall ever really feeling that?

OP posts:
AnnaFiveTowns · 05/04/2021 12:16

To anyone that's managed it: Do you think it's easier to go cold turkey rather than just trying to cut down? I really have a sugar / chocolate problem and need to stop it.

Soothes · 05/04/2021 12:22

@AnnaFiveTowns

To anyone that's managed it: Do you think it's easier to go cold turkey rather than just trying to cut down? I really have a sugar / chocolate problem and need to stop it.
Yes, definitely, absolutely 100%
frostymornings · 05/04/2021 12:24

Yes I've been doing it for several months now. Initially I lost 10lb but my weight has stabilised now. To be honest I'm still overweight but my appetite has calmed down, I no longer eat mindlessness, my mood is much better. I followed the The Sweet Poison Quit Plan, basically I don't eat any more than 3g per 100g sugar in anything. I wouldn't go back now.