No sugar for 2 weeks

laurainottawa
laurainottawa Posts: 64 Member
edited November 27 in Food and Nutrition
I'm going to try cutting out (most) sugar for 14 days. I still plan on eating a but of fruit. I'm looking for some healthy suggestions.

Here's what I'm planning so far:

Limiting to a serving of fruit a day.
No rice, I bought some quinoa to try.
Plain Greek yogourt, cottage cheese, and lean meats for protein.
Lots of veggies.
Unsweetened almond milk.


Any tips, or recipe ideas would be appreciated!

Replies

  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Quinoa and rice have about the same number of carbs. Eat the rice if that is what you prefer.
    Eat more fat and oils and nuts -- you do not have to focus on the meat being lean.

  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    any dairy product has quite a bit of sugar....just sayin'

    why cutting out sugar? are you a diabetic?
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited December 2015
    I cut out added sugar for a while and it really didn't change anything, except what I had for dessert (I switched to a bit of cheese if I had extra calories). I don't really add sugar to savory dishes or eat packaged things with added sugar anyway, though. (Some lunches I buy may have a little, as I like these sandwiches at a local place made with a chutney -- one reason I would not do this on a permanent basis, as I don't consider the sandwiches unhealthy at all!)

    Most meals I make myself have no sugar -- my standard pattern, protein source (fish or other meat usually), vegetables, some sort of starch (corn, potatoes, pasta, etc.).
  • vivmom2014
    vivmom2014 Posts: 1,649 Member
    I "cut out sugar" for Lent one year and it accomplished almost nothing, except having to buy a bunch of alternative sweeteners and waiting for the day I could go back to the foods I enjoyed.

    I mean, if you want to do it, it's up to you. But what's the point?
  • SuggaD
    SuggaD Posts: 1,369 Member
    Every time I say I'm going to limit sweets, I don't. So I'm going to stop lying to myself. lol. Funny thing is I didn't have a sweet tooth until I lost weight.
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    I have been doing no sugar for awhile now, cannot believe how amazing I feel! Sure is a wonderful thing!
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    I have been doing no sugar for awhile now, cannot believe how amazing I feel! Sure is a wonderful thing!

    Do you mean "no sugar" or "no added sugar"? Doing no sugar would be incredibly challenging for most people and would require many types of food like vegetables, fruits, grains, and dairy.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    I worry that you are going to deprive yourself so much that you end up binging. Moderation is the key to success. Try just eating fewer calories than you burn in a day and see how that works for you.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    SuggaD wrote: »
    Every time I say I'm going to limit sweets, I don't. So I'm going to stop lying to myself. lol. Funny thing is I didn't have a sweet tooth until I lost weight.

    I probably eat more sweets on a regular basis now. I never kept them at home before, and now I usually have ice cream in my freezer.

    I cut them out for a while partly because people talk about it like it is so hard, so I was curious, and I also wanted to see if I would feel different (I cut grains too). I did not. It probably was helpful for me to do it for a time as I needed to start eating more mindfully and it helped with that, as well as with breaking my snacking while at work habit. Once I was in a sensible eating pattern I could include some sweets without any problem (and generally more in December, but at least unlike last year I seem to be continuing with a decent workout schedule in December -- last year I had issues running outside due to ice and snow and did not do enough to compensate).
  • laurainottawa
    laurainottawa Posts: 64 Member
    I usually eat 1200 to 1500 calories a day based on exercise. I've been trying to eat healthy, but I have some people do say they feel better without the extra sugar, I want to try it to see if I feel any different. I see some people do it for a month at a time, that does seem crazy, especially over Christmas. I said most sugar is what I want to cut out, meaning of added sugars and artificial forms of sugar. I forgot to mention that I love eating avocados for some healthy fat.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    I did it for 2 weeks or so when I first started (late Jan '14) and then again for a month in Jan '15. And then I went on a biking trip in Feb where I ate far more sugar than usual, heh.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I'm going to try cutting out (most) sugar for 14 days. I still plan on eating a bit of fruit. I'm looking for some healthy suggestions.

    Here's what I'm planning so far:

    Limiting to a serving of fruit a day.
    No rice, I bought some quinoa to try.
    Plain Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and lean meats for protein.
    Lots of veggies.
    Unsweetened almond milk.


    Any tips, or recipe ideas would be appreciated!

    The Low Carb group has a thread with tips and recipes but you many need to join the group to see it.
    Thread: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10103966/start-here-the-lcd-launch-pad#latest
    Group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group
  • youngmomtaz
    youngmomtaz Posts: 1,075 Member
    I have a major sweet tooth. Sugar is a huge trigger for me to just end up with cravings, possible binges, and I become totally miserable. So I do tend to avoid added sugars. Sometimes hard to avoid but I make a habit of choosing different items 75% of the time. I don't do replacement sweeteners either. I find my cravings are almost nil when I avoid added sugar. And you may find the same. Good luck, it is a neat experiment to find out how your body and brain reacts.
  • tillerstouch
    tillerstouch Posts: 608 Member
    Weight loss I don't think you'll see super dramatic results unless paired with a calorie deficit. That being said I cut sugar out also minus 2 fruits a day. I have to say I feel fantastic. Especially with my energy levels.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    I usually eat 1200 to 1500 calories a day based on exercise. I've been trying to eat healthy, but I have some people do say they feel better without the extra sugar, I want to try it to see if I feel any different. I see some people do it for a month at a time, that does seem crazy, especially over Christmas. I said most sugar is what I want to cut out, meaning of added sugars and artificial forms of sugar. I forgot to mention that I love eating avocados for some healthy fat.

    Overall, a calorie deficit will make you lose weight. Eating a variety of foods, with concentration on whole natural foods will ensure a vast nutrient profile and make you feel healthy. In general, people who make conscience changes in their diet feel better because they eat higher quality foods and they believe they are making a better choice for that health.

    Rice is pretty much going to be similar to quinoa (and neither should have added sugars). Milk has natural sugar (lactose) but it can be replaced by unsweetened milk if you can stand the taste... I know I can't.

    I would recommend getting foods high in unsaturated fats (nuts, peanut/almond butter, fish (especially dark like salmon or tuna), oils, avocado) as they have been provide to support good cholesterol.

    I am also a big fan of greek yogurt (although most have added sugar) but overall, they are generally nutritionally solid foods.
  • SuggaD
    SuggaD Posts: 1,369 Member
    The added sugar thing causing binges is a farce. It's the taste. I can easily eat thousands of calories of dried fruit (mangoes, persimmons, dates, figs), nuts, cheese, etc. pretty much anything.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    SuggaD wrote: »
    The added sugar thing causing binges is a farce. It's the taste. I can easily eat thousands of calories of dried fruit (mangoes, persimmons, dates, figs), nuts, cheese, etc. pretty much anything.

    Oh hell yea!!! Cheese is the worst for me.. I could probably eat a brick...

    Also, guacamole and/or salsa with chips is my other issue.
  • Raynne413
    Raynne413 Posts: 1,527 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    The added sugar thing causing binges is a farce. It's the taste. I can easily eat thousands of calories of dried fruit (mangoes, persimmons, dates, figs), nuts, cheese, etc. pretty much anything.

    Oh hell yea!!! Cheese is the worst for me.. I could probably eat a brick...

    Also, guacamole and/or salsa with chips is my other issue.

    Nuts and cheese are my downfall when I'm avoiding sugar. LOL
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    I'm going to try cutting out (most) sugar for 14 days. I still plan on eating a bit of fruit. I'm looking for some healthy suggestions.

    Here's what I'm planning so far:

    Limiting to a serving of fruit a day.
    No rice, I bought some quinoa to try.
    Plain Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and lean meats for protein.
    Lots of veggies.
    Unsweetened almond milk.


    Any tips, or recipe ideas would be appreciated!

    The Low Carb group has a thread with tips and recipes but you many need to join the group to see it.
    Thread: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10103966/start-here-the-lcd-launch-pad#latest
    Group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group

    You hardly need the Low Carb forum to find recipes without added sugar or artificial sweeteners, which is what OP is talking about. I'm always surprised by these questions as I tend to think that the vast majority of dinners (for example) would not involve sugar. It would be quite rare for me to add something with sugar (or sugar itself) to a savory recipe or meal.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    edited December 2015
    Raynne413 wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    The added sugar thing causing binges is a farce. It's the taste. I can easily eat thousands of calories of dried fruit (mangoes, persimmons, dates, figs), nuts, cheese, etc. pretty much anything.

    Oh hell yea!!! Cheese is the worst for me.. I could probably eat a brick...

    Also, guacamole and/or salsa with chips is my other issue.

    Nuts and cheese are my downfall when I'm avoiding sugar. LOL

    I low carbed in one form or another for more than a few years. I ate so much cheese. And almonds. And egg salad. It's really embarrassing to remember just how much.

    Another thing I could really put away were chicken legs. I'd buy one of those economy packs and dry rub them (no sugar in the rub, of course). Then I'd slow roast them and eat just about all of them because they were so meltingly tender and moreish. That would just be a snack.
  • AlabasterVerve
    AlabasterVerve Posts: 3,171 Member
    Raynne413 wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    The added sugar thing causing binges is a farce. It's the taste. I can easily eat thousands of calories of dried fruit (mangoes, persimmons, dates, figs), nuts, cheese, etc. pretty much anything.

    Oh hell yea!!! Cheese is the worst for me.. I could probably eat a brick...

    Also, guacamole and/or salsa with chips is my other issue.

    Nuts and cheese are my downfall when I'm avoiding sugar. LOL

    I low carbed in one form or another for more than a few years. I ate so much cheese. And almonds. And egg salad. It's really embarrassing to remember just how much.

    Another thing I could really put away were chicken legs. I'd buy one of those economy packs and dry rub them (no sugar in the rub, of course). Then I'd slow roast them and eat just about all of them because they were so meltingly tender and moreish. That would just be a snack.

    Yes! Chicken thighs and sugar snap peas are the perfect salt, sugar, fat combo and a favorite of mine. That would be a meal for me though -- low carb or not if I don't wait until I'm hungry before eating (aka snacking) I'll eat too much if I make it a habit (and I'm not counting calories).
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    edited December 2015
    Raynne413 wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    SuggaD wrote: »
    The added sugar thing causing binges is a farce. It's the taste. I can easily eat thousands of calories of dried fruit (mangoes, persimmons, dates, figs), nuts, cheese, etc. pretty much anything.

    Oh hell yea!!! Cheese is the worst for me.. I could probably eat a brick...

    Also, guacamole and/or salsa with chips is my other issue.

    Nuts and cheese are my downfall when I'm avoiding sugar. LOL

    I low carbed in one form or another for more than a few years. I ate so much cheese. And almonds. And egg salad. It's really embarrassing to remember just how much.

    Another thing I could really put away were chicken legs. I'd buy one of those economy packs and dry rub them (no sugar in the rub, of course). Then I'd slow roast them and eat just about all of them because they were so meltingly tender and moreish. That would just be a snack.

    Yes! Chicken thighs and sugar snap peas are the perfect salt, sugar, fat combo and a favorite of mine. That would be a meal for me though -- low carb or not if I don't wait until I'm hungry before eating (aka snacking) I'll eat too much if I make it a habit (and I'm not counting calories).

    I used to make this recipe where I roasted a chicken for 5-6 hours on a really low temperature. Oh dear, when I ate meat, that thing was just perfect, but that's not why I'm telling this story :wink:

    If I could have figured out a way to have masses of chicken wings come out like the wings on a bird cooked that way came out? I probably could have eaten my weight in chicken wings.

    I obviously did not get the memo about limiting calories when I low carbed.
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