The "I Quit Sugar" (by any method) support thread

Ben84

Oddly enough, I was just posting in another thread about how I've greatly cut back on sugar and refined carbs, and found it has given me back lots of energy compared to before, when I used to eat loads of sugar and I'd feel tired nearly all the time. I feel great now. I'm so happy to have finally found why I used to be so worn out all the time.

I'm not 100% sugar or refined carb free however, I'm just following what has been working for me. Some things that work for me are swapping the biscuits I used to have with coffee for nuts. I think they're just as good, but not full of sugar and I tend to eat less too. I eat more cheese now too, it's a good dessert option. Fruit seems to be fine for me, but I don't eat vast amounts of it. Few pieces a day. Fortunately I've never greatly liked sweet drinks. I prefer coffee (black or white, but never with sugar), or soda water with sliced lemon. I like ice tea sometimes, but I've found fructose works for that, 2-3 tsp in a big jug is enough for me. Something about fructose seems to make it exceptionally sweet in drinks, so although it's not a health food, the discovery that so little goes such a long way (I used to put loads of sugar in ice tea), makes me confident that it's ok occasionally.

My cravings for sugar have gone since a few months ago. It wasn't easy at first, but I would tell anyone to persist as they seem to go eventually. I never used to have chocolate and things around without thinking about them all the time until I'd eat them, but actually I've had half an easter egg on top the record player by my chair for weeks and weeks without eating any. I see it every evening, and just don't really feel like eating it.

milasavesmoney

You are really doing great VfM! One month is a real accomplishment. Congrats!

VfM4meplse

I was fine until a short while ago, when I popped into Waitrose and spied the pain aux raisins. I resisted buying them, instead ate a generous handful of raisins (didn't work) and am now enjoying an iced coffee, which seems to be taking the edge off it.

Does anyone know of a national supermarket / bakery that makes this particular pastry without sugar? Otherwise it's gonna be raisin-stuffed croissants for me.

Eta: I think I'll sling some strawberries into my basket whilst I'm at it.

Ok, the coffee has worked and I'm over it now. But it was a trenta

NewShadow

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Does anyone know of a national supermarket / bakery that makes this particular pastry without sugar? Otherwise it's gonna be raisin-stuffed croissants for me.

I assume you aren't in London?
http://romeossugarfreebakery.com/cafe#open (site under construction)

Specifically -

splishsplash

I survived yesterday, took a big bag of hazelnuts with me and they did me until evening. I wasn't hungry so had porridge and fruit.

Today's plan is salad for lunch or fast until evening, depends on how I feel or how much time I have at lunch hour.
Tonight's dinner will be taco mince and wedges with spicy beans and salad.

Normally I use shop-bought ketchup and lighter than light mayo to make marie-rose sauce, and put brown sugar in the spicy beans but tonight I will try making my own sugar-free ketchup and try maple syrup in the beans to balance the vinegar. I'll have to think about the mayo and just suck up the sugar in the worcestershire sauce, I think.

VfM4meplse

Yesterday was not good. I had a desperate craving for Aldi dark chocolate digestives and dried apply rings whilst reading at 1am. I resisted the pull of the 24 hour supermarket by running trashy TV (Piers Morgan) in the background, which distracted me until I felt sleepy.
What I'd really like to do is stop my brain from wanting to eat sugar, and my banana-bread making activities really haven't helped, they just got me used to a different type of sugar, so the cold turkey is now.

Will make some chilli and cheese scones when I get back from work to take my mind off the sweetie monster within.

splishsplash

I made sugar free ketchup this evening - tomato puree, vinegar, a splodge of maple syrup, onion and garlic granules, teeny bit of cayenne pepper, a hint of smoked paprika and a little hot water. It was very good.

I did use light mayo and worcestershire sauce in the end though, so some added sugar in both of those, but very little really.

I caramelized a red onion and used it with white wine vinegar and cajun spices as a base for the beans, added a tin of tomatoes and a drop of maple syrup. Simmered the lot for 20 minutes and that worked really well - we didn't miss the sugar at all.

All in all a good day then, I'll definitely use the ketchup again and tweak the recipe a bit.

splishsplash

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Yesterday was not good. I had a desperate craving for Aldi dark chocolate digestives and dried apply rings whilst reading at 1am. I resisted the pull of the 24 hour supermarket by running trashy TV (Piers Morgan) in the background, which distracted me until I felt sleepy.
What I'd really like to do is stop my brain from wanting to eat sugar, and my banana-bread making activities really haven't helped, they just got me used to a different type of sugar, so the cold turkey is now.

Will make some chilli and cheese scones when I get back from work to take my mind off the sweetie monster within.

Would something really sour help, maybe? Something like cheese and pickles?

VfM4meplse

splishsplash wrote: »

Would something really sour help, maybe? Something like cheese and pickles?

Thanks for the moral support, appreciated. I think I'm going to have to invest in a bit more cheese and treat myself to a cheeseboard meal when I'm like this.

Chilli and cheese scones turned out lovely, I used quite a bit of chilli for a good kick and some Stilton that was lurking in the freezer. De-lish.

Have also discovered that rather than stewing, chopped apples can be dried out a little in the microwave and taste just like dried apples, but are softer and less chewy. Perfect topped with cream. Funny how so much dairy is creeping in...

lynnejk

Hiya all


I've definitely upped my dairy - in fact it's part of trying to up my protein and calcium intake generally.


It now thought that we should eat at least 1g of protein per kg body weight on a daily basis and, in fact, it doesn't hurt to eat more than that if you want/need. So I've dropped my carbs and upped my protein, fruit and veggies. Actually starting to feel better for it, don't seem to get hungry in the evenings and have lost most of the 'muffin top'.


I find I don't really miss sugar at all now - even the occasional craving seems to have evaporated. I suppose it might be that it's significantly warmer and sunnier now but I just hope it continues


Hope you all enjoy the week end
Lx