It's not actually day three but day seven, I have a soft spot for a northern accent and a preference for the number three.
Last week I made the conscious decision to give up processed sugar because I am totally addicted, although contrary because I have never taken sugar in tea or coffee and heaven forbid anyone asking to put sugar on strawberries. For a while I have been concerned as to the impact the old 'white death' may have on my future health. This decision was just before a two day course and I knew it would be impossible for me not to munch my way through the sweeties, dessert or the complimentary cans of pop so I made hay while the sun shone and started my no sugar diet after the course, however my skin is a testament to over indulgence and is only just on the way to recovery.
I am not following a particular regime but once I had made the decision I did a little research, apparently rats prefer sugar to cocaine, the cartoon accompanying this article says it all really. I've made some very healthy granola, absent of sugar, not as nice as my usual recipe, which contains a bottle of maple syrup, but much better for my health. So far it has been pretty easy, given the abundance of soft-fruits at this time of year. My only slip came on Tuesday, whilst at a conference I ate two biscuits because my emergency banana wasn't quite up to the job and the only other option, cheese snacks also contained sugar! However since then it has been all natural sugars and my only cravings seem to be for savouries, particularly olives. I am not saying I will give up sugar forever but I am hoping to recalibrate my taste buds, reduce my in-take longer term and look after my health.
Not satisfied with one hair shirt, I also decided after watching Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead on C5 to push myself with a juice day. So far I've tried two of the recipes on Joe's site and they are pretty good (juiced cabbage and kale, who would have thought) but the revelation was a smoothie made from banana, raw spinach, juiced apple and lime, a Jamie Oliver recipe from 15 minute meals.
Thank heavens I don't have to do this for as long as Joe or the other guy his programme is based on but it certainly seems a great way to boost my vitamin intake and from what I can see has done both Joe and a number of his converts a power of good.
Happy juicing xxx
Interesting! I decided about three weeks ago to give up the teaspoon of sugar in my early morning cup of tea, to see if it made a difference to me wanting a sweet snack mid-morning. And, amazingly, it has made a huge difference, even though it was only one spoon (maybe two sometimes, if I had a second cup). I have been able to (mostly) resist the temptation of anything sweet that is around! Good luck to you with your challenge. That juice looks good and sounds unusually delicious!
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Week 2 is proving to be harder than the first for me. I would bite your hand off for something sweet other than fruit.
DeleteI will be following your progress avidly - I too love (not in tea or on strawberries either!) sugar - in the form of puddings mainly (steamed, stewed, baked...) or chocco....
ReplyDeleteI hope that it all goes well
Best wishes
Jenny
Thanks Jennie, I will keep you posted.
DeleteReally impressed! I don't think I could do it, but would love to try. When I bake for C I use fruits to sweeten (dates etc) so maybe I should just do the same for us! xoxo
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could share some recipes, because I know I will need baking in my life once the winter comes.
DeleteGood for you. I once didn't eat processed sugars at all for about 5 years and I felt so well. Sadly I slowly slipped back to eating choccy, I think I'm addicted!
ReplyDeleteI gave up alcohol for two and a half years, as you can see from my last post!
DeleteGood for you. And all that juicing sounds perfect for this hot weather.
ReplyDeleteStrangely, I more or less lost my sweet tooth when I started to do a lot of baking for the WI. Want to give up cake? Bake a hundred cupcakes in an afternoon and then slather them in buttercream the next morning. (Almost as bad as pushing hard drugs?)
That made me laugh. Although my sweet tooth never quite got buttercream.
DeleteWell done you, I wish I could give it up too but I don't eat meat, dairy and limit my saturated fat....got to eat something!! It is very bad for you though so keep it up! :) x
ReplyDeleteI think you should most certainly allow yourself a foray into the world of sweets given how healthy a diet you have.
DeleteI tried once and was cheating with jam for diabetics with no added suger, but still a lot fruit sugar! good luck, you will feel great I'm sure. Would like to hear more about the juices! Heather x
ReplyDeleteI have an image of you snuffling diabetic jam in some darkened corner. Very ingenious.
DeleteI watched this on youtube last year, before it was broadcast here, and it really made me sit up. I did start juicing, but now only do it now and again - the faff gets me down, but no getting away from it, he saved his life, didn't he, by cutting out the crap. You have spurred me on! Lx
ReplyDeleteI must have every machine known to man, two on the go earlier to use up the spinach. The washing up gets a little on my nerves. I spotted the idea of lining the pulp container with a bag and put that to use. One less part to wash. I wonder if they sell compost able liners? The show was uplifting, a chance encounter and a life changed, wonderful.
DeleteYou have my sympathy. I did a diet last year: no gluten, yeast or sugar. Including fruit. It even said to avoid dairy but I ended up drinking milk (it actually tasted quite sweet after a while). I felt great afterwards.
ReplyDeleteTried again a few weeks ago and lasted six days. Decided life's too short.
Your regime sounds much less restrictive (and far more sensible). Good luck with it and enjoy the fruit. Cherries and watermelon, yum :)
At least my palate has become accustomed to the sugarless granola. My fruit intake is high but then again it was when I was eating sweets. Don't know how you managed without fruit, it's what keeps me going.
DeleteI am following you on this very closely - I too loathe extra sugar on or in anything but....i do love puddings, cake and chocco....do keep us posted
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Jenny
The edge went off the craving in week 2 but I have to admit I grabbed a Tunnocks tea cake from the coffee cupboard at work today!
DeleteOh dear.....still only a tea cake (I would eat a whole packet......)
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