Giving up sugar...

niftythrifty33

I've been using MSE for years and have only just discovered this section:o

I've suffered with IBS for about 22 years and have never managed to get to the bottom (pun intended) of it. But I've always had my suspicions that it may be related to sugar (partly). I do know mine is sometimes related to stress as it can start about 2 days after a stressful event. But often if I'm out for a meal and have eaten a big meal then have a very sweet pudding I really pay for it very soon afterwards with hideous pain (and the rest )

I've always wanted to cut out sugar or anything with added sugar but it seems such a huge task. As there's so much sugar in everything I also wonder how much is about the industry making us addicts?

Have any of you tried this or is anyone willing to try with me? I would like to keep a diary of mine and possible others experiences to put into a book after say a year or so?

To start off, I just had a cup of tea without sugar...it was pretty rank but I'm still alive :j next step is weetabix with banana instead of 2 tablespoons of brown sugar

My biggest problem will be cakes/biscuits/alcohol/sweet chilli dipping sauce/sweets (whilst at work).

krustylouise

myself and OH cut out sugar recently. Basically we cut out sugar in our teas, no chocolate, sweets, ice cream, sauces with sugar in etc. We even baked our own sugar free bread {tasted the same}.

Initially it is a big change and some people that do this can really suffer with headaches {withdrawal symptoms basically} I was ok.

After 2 days I noticed no craving for sugary sweet treats, I noticed I didn't have a mid morning energy slump either and have had the energy to get more done after I've finished work.

If you do decide to follow this through, good luck, and always read the labels!!!

Take care

niftythrifty33

Thanks KrustLouise, it's been ok so far! I had 1 sweet in work which was good as I usually have about 20!!!

I'm starting to realise that sugar is added to loads of things. This is going to be tough...

pogofish

Its pretty easy to minimise added/unnecessary sugar in your diet - almost every well-managed diabetic has had to deal with this at some stage. You simply need to stop adding it to anything and check your normal foods and swap them for alternatives with less sugar - sometimes the difference between different brands of the same product can be staggering. Similarly, check the info on any processed food you might eat - sometimes they can have a surprising amount hidden away in the recipes. I see you have already found what CBP bread can contain!

However if you think you are going to "cut it out", then think again - so many foods will break down to glucose at some stage that your chances are simply nil!

Lastly, if reducing sugar, you need to watch that your intake of salt and fat doesn't increase in compensation. Again this is not uncommon.

niftythrifty33

Thanks Pogofish, you make it sound easy but for me it will not be as I'm completely addicted to biscuits, cakes, sweets & crisps.

I'm not going to attempt to cut out food with natural sugar or stuff that turns to sugar, just any processed food with sugar in and adding it to things myself.

I'm not sure about pasta & bread, I know bread has added sugar but what about pasta? I think I can still have cream & butter as they don't have sugar do they? I just need to either conquer my sweet tooth or find alternatives.

SailorSam

I don't need sugar, i'm sweet enough as i am.

niftythrifty33

Haha there's always one!

krustylouise

Honestly NT I was addicted to sugar....I'm ashamed to admit I raided DD's Easter eggs at my lowest point. I craved chocolate constantly and kept feeling that energy slump around 10am. Now I don't have that and I honestly don't crave anything sweet and to eat sweet stuff now is *too* sweet! My advice would be go cold turkey. Don't eat even 1 sweet as that gives you a sugar rush and when you come down from that your body automatically craves more and you're then stuck fighting temptation for longer.

niftythrifty33

Thanks KL, I also crave sugar A LOT! Usually after a meal.

Well its day 2 with no sugar. I slipped up a few times; one cup of tea made by DH as he didn't know I was cutting it out so I just had to drink it; 1 little sweet in work yesterday (instead of 20); about 100ml white wine (just to finish off the bottle from last weekend); and 2 handfuls of peanuts as I was craving something? then after I read it realised the seasoning had sugar as 1st ingredients ggrrr.

Today I feel ok but I've had a dull tummy ache since last night. Like my IBS is starting but it's not getting worse.

After using my fitness pal I realised I'd only drank about half a glass of water all day & 3 cups of tea which is awful and this is my typical day so today I will drink 2 litres even if I'm on the loo ALL day (TMI)

Anyone else joining me yet? Let's detox from the white stuff together

ps. Really don't know how people give up food with natural sugar in them too like fruit etc. that would be really hard!

bargainbetty

Keep going with the no-sugar tea. I gave it up last year, (went sugar-free on coffee a month later) and now I gag when given a sweetened drink. Tea is more refreshing and I can tell the difference in coffee quality because sugar doesn't mask the flavours anymore. It took me about three days to stop missing the taste.

With foods, try to cut down on sweetened things. If you cut it out completely you are more likely to crack and binge. Have dried or fresh fruit available instead. People don't give that up. People give up refined added sugars.

Tell your DH that you are cutting down, and that you won't be buying things for the cupboards for a while. If you don't have it in the house, it'll be easier to not eat it. It will also be easier if he is on board and helping.

niftythrifty33

Thanks for your reply BargainBetty.

So it's now day 4 with no sugar and it's been surprisingly easy, apart from last night, we went out with friends and I had G&T's and some Cava. I can't think of a solution to the drinking? I don't drink very often and I don't want to be T total. Do other people that give up sugar just not drink alcohol ever?

Some strange things have been happening (before last night). Positives: I've lost 4 lbs in 4 days :j which is great as I have a lot to lose. I've only felt like eating when I'm actually hungry not for the sake of it. Not snacking between meals as all my usual snacks contain sugar. I'm getting used to tea without sugar.

Negatives: I felt very low on quite a few occasions. Lacked energy and motivation to get stuff done. I've had tummy ache on and off and quite a few odd things happening IBS related (too grose to discuss!).

Although I feel slimmer, when I eat carbs I get very bloated. Does this mean I might be gluten intolerant or wheat? It's mainly after eating noodles, I LOVE noodles