So a few people have seen me on facebook talking about how i have quit sugar and have been sending me some questions. What are you eating? Whats a typical day? Why, for the love of god, have you quit sugar?
Ok so I'll try to explain as best I can. Remember Im no expert on this. Im only a week in to the this new fan-dangled thing called quitting sugar so Im still learning - be kind!
Side note: first week in i have lost 2kgs, had headaches the first few days which have now ceased, generally have a feeling of wellness and feeling clean - not that toxic "i have too much shit food in my body" feeling you can have. During the first week i have exercised three times at the gym. Exercise is something im hoping to increase - if i can get to the gym 4 times a week initially i will be happy. I can pretty much say the weight loss has occurred through diet - and yes, im sure most of it is fluid loss so far.
So, Im not following any one theory in particular. Rather I am using a few. The main two are:
David Gillespie's
Sweet Poison. Please
check him out. I have read David's Sweet Poison and his Quit Plan books.
The other is the fabulous Sarah Wilson. Check out
Sarah's blog where you can download her e-books.
Sarah suffers from an
auto-immune disease like myself. For those of you who dont know - i have
ulcerative colitis. (can i just say - surgery will never be an option for me!)
So like Sarah, my main enemies are inflammation and lethargy. Since Sarah started her IQuitSugar campaign she has seen marked improvement with her condition. So - why wouldnt I try this? (if anyone has ever had to have Prednisone as a treatment then you will know why quitting sugar might seem like an OK option compared to the
wicked side effects of this drug! Touch wood (tap tap) i havent had to be on this drug for some time - ive been managing with another drug that has little to no side effects. But trust me - during a major flare - the drug would be prednisone or worse :( )
The other theory or principle im sticking to
is eating clean. That is, i try not to have processed foods in my diet. Im trying to eat food the way mother nature intended it. In its purest form.
Ultimately though, "no sugar" trumps "clean eating". That is, if im in a social situation i'll make sure i choose something that doesnt have sugar even if it means it may be processed and dare i say it - not the healthiest choice. Hey, I cant be in control of my environment 100% of the time so when im not - something with 'no sugar' wins out.
So here are some of the foods ive been eating. Note: im not eating fruit. Im giving myself a couple of months off fruit and will introduce it back to 1-2 pieces a day. I want my system to be free of all sugars first ! (read David's books!) You will see i also dont typically eat rice, pasta or breads. My choice. If sugar is your main concern then these things are fine. Some 'experts' out there say if you do have them - eat them earlier in the day as opposed to dinner. What you decide is your choice. I just know im feeling better without them all. I may look to have them , some times , once i have done this a while.
Breakfasts
- Home made muesli (oats, coconut, nuts and seeds) - make your own. Check out David Gillespies book for ideas. I usually have this with Zymill (lactose free milk - just find i digest it better) or Jalna Greek Yoghurt (full fat!)
- Omlette's/ poached or boiled eggs - for omlettes I usually use one full egg then use egg whites to bulk it up. Yes yolks are wasted but id rather it down the sink than in my mouth. (A whole egg is about 70 calories - An egg white is 8 calories). You can add weight watchers cottage cheese, tasty cheese, tomato, bacon/ham, baby spinach, asparagus, any other green or red/orange vege.
I find I usually alternate between the two. Im sure i will get sick of this so any suggestions are welcome - need stuff i can make/prepare and take to work with me as i dont usually eat breakfast till im at my desk.
If the thought of no bread scares you then check bread labels and go for one that is as low as possible in sugar - most dont have much to any - its just a choice im making to stay away for now. However the Mountain Bread range is a good option if you dont like that bloated feeling bread can give you.
Lunches
- Lunch i take leftovers from dinner ; or
- tuna, salmon, chicken,cheese etc with a salad of your choice - just make sure any dressing doesnt have sugar (most do unfortunately). Try lime or lemon juice, olive oil and mustard as a quick option for a dressing.
- shaved turkey, cheese and tomato with dijon mustard in a wrap (mountain bread rye - 69 calories and no sugar) - lots of other options with a wrap
- I went out for lunch the other day and had haloumi with a salad of leaves roast potato, sweet potato and onion. YUM!
- Im also looking at poaching some chicken in coconut cream and coriander. Im gonna shred this to add to a salad (lots of grated vegies, a bit of chilli, coriander and mint). Maybe a couple of nuts on top. Could be dinner also. will let you know how i go!
Dinner
- Stir Fry - pick your meat, lots of green veges, ginger, garlic and some Tamari Sauce (its a wheat free soy sauce - you could just use soy though - i choose to the Tamari)
- Jamie Olivers Tuna Pasta Sauce - i learnt this recipe at the Ministry of Food school. I just dont eat pasta with it. Also instead of canned tomatoes (loads of sugar in them) i just cut up my own tomatoes. I just steam some green vegies to go with it. I have taken a picture of my well used recipe (that Jamie signed himself!) Cracker recipe this - it could be adopted for other fish types and even chicken.
- Steak, lamp chops, chicken - served with vegies or salad. I try not to eat potatoes at night.
- homemade rissoles made with lean beef mince, chopped rosemary, one onion and one egg. I used plain flour to coat them. Served with green vegies. (great leftover for lunch!!)
Snacks
- Cut up celery and carrot - dipped in cottage cheese or Macro Organic Peanut Butter (health food aisle of Woolworths)
- A tin of tuna
- cubed cheese
- Green tea
- Coke Zero and Pepsi Max ( a life saver when you want something sweet. I know the chemicals are bad but i figure 2-3 months of them till i get through the sugar barrier and i may not want them any more! fingers crossed x)
Ok thats it Phewwwwww. Happy to answer any more queries plus i will try to blog more to share the journey with you all. Also if you have suggestions or want to share your tips, recipes etc then let me know. Leave everything on my facebook page and then i can add it to posts here on the blog.
Cheers
Barb
