Sugar

Wannabmarathoner
Wannabmarathoner Posts: 96 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hi everyone! So, yesterday I posted in the Food discussion board that I had decided to cut out sugar from my diet cold turkey for the next 21 days to see if I feel better, look better, have more energy, lose some weight, etc... I guess I made the mistake of saying that sugar is poison, as that statement didn't go over too well with a few folks. Anyway, that is beside the point and I am happy to report that I made it 2 days, 2 DAYS!!!without sugar!
Yes, I know vegetables even have sugar, but I'm talking about all things refined and processed and the cause of my serious weight gain over the last 6 months. I'm feeling pretty good, but tired and I have a headache, but when I stepped on the scale this morning, I was down 4 pounds just from yesterday. I know, probably mostly water weight, but it's okay...my weight will hopefully trend in the right direction now. Anyway, could use encouragement, advice, or any new friends who'd like to join me. I'm using the 21 day sugar detox. I am just following the list that I found on google images with the list of yes food and no foods!
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Replies

  • Wannabmarathoner
    Wannabmarathoner Posts: 96 Member
    Thank you mysteps2beauty! You're so right! Great points and congratulations on your hard work and success! I love your screen name too!
  • Wannabmarathoner
    Wannabmarathoner Posts: 96 Member
    Thanks everyone! I am not here to debate the effects of sugar again. My #1 goal is to see if it is sugar that is causing some unusual symptoms I've been experiencing, and the only way to do that is to eliminate most things I've been consuming until a couple days ago. If I lose weight while I experiment then bonus!
  • snickerscharlie
    snickerscharlie Posts: 8,578 Member
    Wannabmarathoner wrote: »
    Thanks everyone! I am not here to debate the effects of sugar again. My #1 goal is to see if it is sugar that is causing some unusual symptoms I've been experiencing, and the only way to do that is to eliminate most things I've been consuming until a couple days ago. If I lose weight while I experiment then bonus!

    What unusual symptoms have you been experiencing?
  • silverfiend
    silverfiend Posts: 329 Member
    edited October 2016
    kgeyser wrote: »
    All,

    Please review the following community guideline:
    2. No Hi-Jacking, Trolling, or Flame-baiting

    Please stay on-topic in an existing thread, and post new threads in the appropriate forum. Taking a thread off-topic is considered hi-jacking. Please either contribute politely and constructively to a topic, or move on without posting. This includes posts that encourage the drama in a topic to escalate, or posts intended to incite an uproar from the community.

    Please stay on topic and do not derail the discussion into an argument about beliefs about sugar, even if you believe it is for the benefit of the OP or "lurkers."

    Users are welcome to create their own topic and discuss viewpoints about sugar with anyone interested in participating in this topic, however any further off-topic comments in this thread can result in warnings.

    Have an awesome weekend,

    kgeyser
    MFP Moderator

    I have found this is a pure impossibility here for certain people.

    To the OP, I hope you have success in your goal of cutting the added sugar out of your diet (it's VERY diffucult because its added to almost everything we buy).

    Have you looked in the benefits of a ketogenic diet (the extension of removing just sugars)? If not, take some time to research it. It may answer some questions to whatever issues you are having. (just a guess since we don't know what they are)
  • MamaSooz89129
    MamaSooz89129 Posts: 40 Member
    I started the 21 day sugar detox on July 1st, 2016. I am a sugarholic, and it was totally fogging up my brain, making me ache all over and making me fat of course! It was the hardest, most time consuming thing I've ever done diet-wise. That being said, it is what eventually brought me to MFP; it is what got me started on my quest for health. It got me off the sugar roller coaster. I am not completely sugar free now, but I am nowhere near what I was consuming before. Today is my 100-day anniversary on MFP and my profile says I'm down 17 lbs since joining - I'm actually down 28 pounds since July 1. I'm grateful I made that one choice to stick with it because it was the impetus for lots of other good food and exercise choices. Kudos to you and I wish you well, being sugar free for 21 days is the best decision you can make about your health. You won't be dependent on it anymore, you'll enjoy fruit and vegetables more - and you'll come to enjoy a quality treat once in awhile - and really savor it - far above a steady stream of cheap sugar thrills!
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Wannabmarathoner wrote: »
    Thanks everyone! I am not here to debate the effects of sugar again. My #1 goal is to see if it is sugar that is causing some unusual symptoms I've been experiencing, and the only way to do that is to eliminate most things I've been consuming until a couple days ago. If I lose weight while I experiment then bonus!

    I also participated in your other thread and it got quite disturbing with all the sugar is poison allegations you were making because that sugar is poison or even bad for you is spreading misinformation. Sugar is simply another food, and we cannot live without sugar. Unless you eat only meat, you will not be able to cut out all sugar. My guess, however, is that you mean added sugar into sweets, etc.

    Believe me, sugar and I have a sordid history rooted in a lifetime of obesity. I cut out sweets and treats for years because I was convinced it was causing my weight gain. Guess what? didn't no lose any weight, and I continued to gain weight.

    At one time, I was also convinced that sugar was causing me other problems: waking up in a handover-type states, stomach cramps, nausea, and great poops. This was during a time when I was binging a lot on cookies, cakes, candy, etc. The interesting thing is that when I ate these food in moderation, I felt fine. It was only when I binged on these foods that I ended up with symptoms. Guess what? I cut back on the sweets, learned moderation, and those symptoms calmed way down.

    It also turns out that my long history of digestive problems was not caused by sugar at all, but are symptoms of other medical conditions that needed attention. Once I had my appointments with a GI and registered dietitian, I was able to get my health under control. The low FODMAP diet I have been prescribed by my GI, and monitored by a RD, does not cut out sugar at all.

    If you want to cut out sugar to see if it's causing your symptoms, great. But, remember that in those sugar foods are a whole list of other ingredients that could be causing you problems. ;)

    Good luck.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    snickerscharlie wrote: »
    Wannabmarathoner wrote: »
    Thanks everyone! I am not here to debate the effects of sugar again. My #1 goal is to see if it is sugar that is causing some unusual symptoms I've been experiencing, and the only way to do that is to eliminate most things I've been consuming until a couple days ago. If I lose weight while I experiment then bonus!

    What unusual symptoms have you been experiencing?

    That is my question as well.
  • Wannabmarathoner
    Wannabmarathoner Posts: 96 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Wannabmarathoner wrote: »
    Thanks everyone! I am not here to debate the effects of sugar again. My #1 goal is to see if it is sugar that is causing some unusual symptoms I've been experiencing, and the only way to do that is to eliminate most things I've been consuming until a couple days ago. If I lose weight while I experiment then bonus!

    I also participated in your other thread and it got quite disturbing with all the sugar is poison allegations you were making because that sugar is poison or even bad for you is spreading misinformation. Sugar is simply another food, and we cannot live without sugar. Unless you eat only meat, you will not be able to cut out all sugar. My guess, however, is that you mean added sugar into sweets, etc.

    Believe me, sugar and I have a sordid history rooted in a lifetime of obesity. I cut out sweets and treats for years because I was convinced it was causing my weight gain. Guess what? didn't no lose any weight, and I continued to gain weight.

    At one time, I was also convinced that sugar was causing me other problems: waking up in a handover-type states, stomach cramps, nausea, and great poops. This was during a time when I was binging a lot on cookies, cakes, candy, etc. The interesting thing is that when I ate these food in moderation, I felt fine. It was only when I binged on these foods that I ended up with symptoms. Guess what? I cut back on the sweets, learned moderation, and those symptoms calmed way down.

    It also turns out that my long history of digestive problems was not caused by sugar at all, but are symptoms of other medical conditions that needed attention. Once I had my appointments with a GI and registered dietitian, I was able to get my health under control. The low FODMAP diet I have been prescribed by my GI, and monitored by a RD, does not cut out sugar at all.

    If you want to cut out sugar to see if it's causing your symptoms, great. But, remember that in those sugar foods are a whole list of other ingredients that could be causing you problems. ;)

    Good luck.

    Well, I agree and thanks for being a bit nicer this time. The sugar is poison was mentioned by me ONCE. I work with doctors who've stated this same thing and I regret saying it, not because I don't believe it, but because when I wanted encouragement for my choice, I received some pretty rude backlash. You or anyone else doesn't need to believe the bad effects sugar causes. I too have consumed wayyyyy too much of it and for ME the only way I know how to cut down is to completely go cold turkey for a while, and then reintroduce it slowly and in significantly less amounts than I was consuming. The symptoms are things I don't want to discuss publicly, as I have a lot of anxiety about it and I've 2 specialists thus far and we can't figure it out. I want to start with my diet, meditation, etc, and see if I feel better. I had my first acupuncture appointment on Thursday and I am looking forward to seeing how the improvement of my diet helps me. So...I am here for encouragement only! I need it!
  • Wannabmarathoner
    Wannabmarathoner Posts: 96 Member
    MamaSooz89129 wrote: »
    I started the 21 day sugar detox on July 1st, 2016. I am a sugarholic, and it was totally fogging up my brain, making me ache all over and making me fat of course! It was the hardest, most time consuming thing I've ever done diet-wise. That being said, it is what eventually brought me to MFP; it is what got me started on my quest for health. It got me off the sugar roller coaster. I am not completely sugar free now, but I am nowhere near what I was consuming before. Today is my 100-day anniversary on MFP and my profile says I'm down 17 lbs since joining - I'm actually down 28 pounds since July 1. I'm grateful I made that one choice to stick with it because it was the impetus for lots of other good food and exercise choices. Kudos to you and I wish you well, being sugar free for 21 days is the best decision you can make about your health. You won't be dependent on it anymore, you'll enjoy fruit and vegetables more - and you'll come to enjoy a quality treat once in awhile - and really savor it - far above a steady stream of cheap sugar thrills!

    You have no idea how much I thoroughly appreciate this! Congratulations on your weight loss and leaving a lot of what you were consuming before in the past! Keep it there :)
  • Wannabmarathoner
    Wannabmarathoner Posts: 96 Member
    silverfiend wrote: »
    kgeyser wrote: »
    All,

    Please review the following community guideline:
    2. No Hi-Jacking, Trolling, or Flame-baiting

    Please stay on-topic in an existing thread, and post new threads in the appropriate forum. Taking a thread off-topic is considered hi-jacking. Please either contribute politely and constructively to a topic, or move on without posting. This includes posts that encourage the drama in a topic to escalate, or posts intended to incite an uproar from the community.

    Please stay on topic and do not derail the discussion into an argument about beliefs about sugar, even if you believe it is for the benefit of the OP or "lurkers."

    Users are welcome to create their own topic and discuss viewpoints about sugar with anyone interested in participating in this topic, however any further off-topic comments in this thread can result in warnings.

    Have an awesome weekend,

    kgeyser
    MFP Moderator

    I have found this is a pure impossibility here for certain people.

    To the OP, I hope you have success in your goal of cutting the added sugar out of your diet (it's VERY diffucult because its added to almost everything we buy).

    Have you looked in the benefits of a ketogenic diet (the extension of removing just sugars)? If not, take some time to research it. It may answer some questions to whatever issues you are having. (just a guess since we don't know what they are)

    Thank you. I may do that after I see if cutting back on processed food and sugar helps me, or doesn't help me. Somehow, over the last 6 months I've developed a sugar addiction and I'm 3 days in trying to turn it around. Feeling strong so far, aside from a headache. Thanks for the advice, I will look into it. Have you tried it?
  • Wannabmarathoner
    Wannabmarathoner Posts: 96 Member
    6502programmer wrote: »
    Wannabmarathoner wrote: »
    I'm using the 21 day sugar detox. I am just following the list that I found on google images with the list of yes food and no foods!
    Humans are omnivores. That means we're built to eat everything. I'm down 35 pounds in a year without any significant dietary changes. I eat less bread and rice, and choose more filling veggies in their place. My liver, kidneys, and skin do a wonderful job of detoxing my body, though I suspect my liver complains when I really tie one on.

    Peeps of MFP: you don't have to sacrifice anything to lose weight. Some people eat only organic. Others eat only vegan. Some eat no sugar. It's all personal choice. My choice is a filling, satisfying diet that includes all the foods I want to eat, a well-rounded nutritional profile, and absolutely no sense of loss or deprivation because I am artificially limiting what I can eat.

    Congratulations on finding a balance. That is my goal! You're inspiring!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    When I started this stuff over four years ago, I put more emphasis on what I could add to my diet to make it better than what I needed to take away...when I focused on adding positives to my diet, the negatives just naturally fell by the way side.

    No qualms at all from me in regards to cutting back on free sugars...most people could stand to do so...but I do think people tend to overemphasize eliminations vs what they can add to their diets to make them better. IMO, focusing on the positives you can add makes the experience much more enjoyable...

    I guess it's kind of like focusing on the positive rather than the negative.
  • Wannabmarathoner
    Wannabmarathoner Posts: 96 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    When I started this stuff over four years ago, I put more emphasis on what I could add to my diet to make it better than what I needed to take away...when I focused on adding positives to my diet, the negatives just naturally fell by the way side.

    No qualms at all from me in regards to cutting back on free sugars...most people could stand to do so...but I do think people tend to overemphasize eliminations vs what they can add to their diets to make them better. IMO, focusing on the positives you can add makes the experience much more enjoyable...

    I guess it's kind of like focusing on the positive rather than the negative.

    I like that! That's a great thought process to adopt. I tend to be the type of person who would slip up and have a bite or more of deliciousness in the breakroom at work, then decide I already screwed up for the day, so don't even try to eat healthy. I know, it's a sad state of mind. My 3rd day into this, I've consumed more vegetables and less sugar than I've had in months! This is definitely a positive!
  • silverfiend
    silverfiend Posts: 329 Member
    Wannabmarathoner wrote: »
    silverfiend wrote: »

    To the OP, I hope you have success in your goal of cutting the added sugar out of your diet (it's VERY diffucult because its added to almost everything we buy).

    Have you looked in the benefits of a ketogenic diet (the extension of removing just sugars)? If not, take some time to research it. It may answer some questions to whatever issues you are having. (just a guess since we don't know what they are)

    Thank you. I may do that after I see if cutting back on processed food and sugar helps me, or doesn't help me. Somehow, over the last 6 months I've developed a sugar addiction and I'm 3 days in trying to turn it around. Feeling strong so far, aside from a headache. Thanks for the advice, I will look into it. Have you tried it?

    Yes, I switched to the keto way of eating on January 1 of this year. That headache is normal when going through sugar withdrawal. It will go away.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Wannabmarathoner wrote: »
    silverfiend wrote: »
    kgeyser wrote: »
    All,

    Please review the following community guideline:
    2. No Hi-Jacking, Trolling, or Flame-baiting

    Please stay on-topic in an existing thread, and post new threads in the appropriate forum. Taking a thread off-topic is considered hi-jacking. Please either contribute politely and constructively to a topic, or move on without posting. This includes posts that encourage the drama in a topic to escalate, or posts intended to incite an uproar from the community.

    Please stay on topic and do not derail the discussion into an argument about beliefs about sugar, even if you believe it is for the benefit of the OP or "lurkers."

    Users are welcome to create their own topic and discuss viewpoints about sugar with anyone interested in participating in this topic, however any further off-topic comments in this thread can result in warnings.

    Have an awesome weekend,

    kgeyser
    MFP Moderator

    I have found this is a pure impossibility here for certain people.

    To the OP, I hope you have success in your goal of cutting the added sugar out of your diet (it's VERY diffucult because its added to almost everything we buy).

    Have you looked in the benefits of a ketogenic diet (the extension of removing just sugars)? If not, take some time to research it. It may answer some questions to whatever issues you are having. (just a guess since we don't know what they are)

    Thank you. I may do that after I see if cutting back on processed food and sugar helps me, or doesn't help me. Somehow, over the last 6 months I've developed a sugar addiction and I'm 3 days in trying to turn it around. Feeling strong so far, aside from a headache. Thanks for the advice, I will look into it. Have you tried it?

    I used to have cravings for sweets and found the less of them I eat, the less cravings I have. I am eating more fruit, however. Since fruit has less calories than foods like baked goods, this works out well for me. I'm also eating more protein and foods with fiber, and getting more exercise. I feel much better than I did before.

    I felt even worse in the late 90s when I was eating pretty much the Standard American Diet. While cleaning up my diet helped me considerably, I do not consider myself a "clean eater." I do have some Ultra Processed Foods, as defined by the Brazilian government, but way less than before.

    Wishing you well on your journey!
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    edited October 2016
    Wannabmarathoner wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Wannabmarathoner wrote: »
    Thanks everyone! I am not here to debate the effects of sugar again. My #1 goal is to see if it is sugar that is causing some unusual symptoms I've been experiencing, and the only way to do that is to eliminate most things I've been consuming until a couple days ago. If I lose weight while I experiment then bonus!

    I also participated in your other thread and it got quite disturbing with all the sugar is poison allegations you were making because that sugar is poison or even bad for you is spreading misinformation. Sugar is simply another food, and we cannot live without sugar. Unless you eat only meat, you will not be able to cut out all sugar. My guess, however, is that you mean added sugar into sweets, etc.

    Believe me, sugar and I have a sordid history rooted in a lifetime of obesity. I cut out sweets and treats for years because I was convinced it was causing my weight gain. Guess what? didn't no lose any weight, and I continued to gain weight.

    At one time, I was also convinced that sugar was causing me other problems: waking up in a handover-type states, stomach cramps, nausea, and great poops. This was during a time when I was binging a lot on cookies, cakes, candy, etc. The interesting thing is that when I ate these food in moderation, I felt fine. It was only when I binged on these foods that I ended up with symptoms. Guess what? I cut back on the sweets, learned moderation, and those symptoms calmed way down.

    It also turns out that my long history of digestive problems was not caused by sugar at all, but are symptoms of other medical conditions that needed attention. Once I had my appointments with a GI and registered dietitian, I was able to get my health under control. The low FODMAP diet I have been prescribed by my GI, and monitored by a RD, does not cut out sugar at all.

    If you want to cut out sugar to see if it's causing your symptoms, great. But, remember that in those sugar foods are a whole list of other ingredients that could be causing you problems. ;)

    Good luck.

    Well, I agree and thanks for being a bit nicer this time. The sugar is poison was mentioned by me ONCE. I work with doctors who've stated this same thing and I regret saying it, not because I don't believe it, but because when I wanted encouragement for my choice, I received some pretty rude backlash. You or anyone else doesn't need to believe the bad effects sugar causes. I too have consumed wayyyyy too much of it and for ME the only way I know how to cut down is to completely go cold turkey for a while, and then reintroduce it slowly and in significantly less amounts than I was consuming. The symptoms are things I don't want to discuss publicly, as I have a lot of anxiety about it and I've 2 specialists thus far and we can't figure it out. I want to start with my diet, meditation, etc, and see if I feel better. I had my first acupuncture appointment on Thursday and I am looking forward to seeing how the improvement of my diet helps me. So...I am here for encouragement only! I need it!

    Um.....this is 100% not necessary. I was nice to you in the last thread, just as I'm being nice now.

    As I said in my response, after sharing my own struggles, good luck on your endeavor to find out more about your symptoms. The most important thing is finding an overall dietary plan that works best for you.
  • Wannabmarathoner
    Wannabmarathoner Posts: 96 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    Wannabmarathoner wrote: »
    silverfiend wrote: »
    kgeyser wrote: »
    All,

    Please review the following community guideline:
    2. No Hi-Jacking, Trolling, or Flame-baiting

    Please stay on-topic in an existing thread, and post new threads in the appropriate forum. Taking a thread off-topic is considered hi-jacking. Please either contribute politely and constructively to a topic, or move on without posting. This includes posts that encourage the drama in a topic to escalate, or posts intended to incite an uproar from the community.

    Please stay on topic and do not derail the discussion into an argument about beliefs about sugar, even if you believe it is for the benefit of the OP or "lurkers."

    Users are welcome to create their own topic and discuss viewpoints about sugar with anyone interested in participating in this topic, however any further off-topic comments in this thread can result in warnings.

    Have an awesome weekend,

    kgeyser
    MFP Moderator

    I have found this is a pure impossibility here for certain people.

    To the OP, I hope you have success in your goal of cutting the added sugar out of your diet (it's VERY diffucult because its added to almost everything we buy).

    Have you looked in the benefits of a ketogenic diet (the extension of removing just sugars)? If not, take some time to research it. It may answer some questions to whatever issues you are having. (just a guess since we don't know what they are)

    Thank you. I may do that after I see if cutting back on processed food and sugar helps me, or doesn't help me. Somehow, over the last 6 months I've developed a sugar addiction and I'm 3 days in trying to turn it around. Feeling strong so far, aside from a headache. Thanks for the advice, I will look into it. Have you tried it?

    I used to have cravings for sweets and found the less of them I eat, the less cravings I have. I am eating more fruit, however. Since fruit has less calories than foods like baked goods, this works out well for me. I'm also eating more protein and foods with fiber, and getting more exercise. I feel much better than I did before.

    I felt even worse in the late 90s when I was eating pretty much the Standard American Diet. While cleaning up my diet helped me considerably, I do not consider myself a "clean eater." I do have some Ultra Processed Foods, as defined by the Brazilian government, but way less than before.

    Wishing you well on your journey!

    I am already feeling less cravings of the bad stuff too. I hope it continues. This has actually been pretty easy so far. Thanks for the encouragement and I love your profile 'picture'!
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    Wannabmarathoner wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    When I started this stuff over four years ago, I put more emphasis on what I could add to my diet to make it better than what I needed to take away...when I focused on adding positives to my diet, the negatives just naturally fell by the way side.

    No qualms at all from me in regards to cutting back on free sugars...most people could stand to do so...but I do think people tend to overemphasize eliminations vs what they can add to their diets to make them better. IMO, focusing on the positives you can add makes the experience much more enjoyable...

    I guess it's kind of like focusing on the positive rather than the negative.

    I like that! That's a great thought process to adopt. I tend to be the type of person who would slip up and have a bite or more of deliciousness in the breakroom at work, then decide I already screwed up for the day, so don't even try to eat healthy. I know, it's a sad state of mind. My 3rd day into this, I've consumed more vegetables and less sugar than I've had in months! This is definitely a positive!

    Many people have that all or nothing mindset and when they strive for perfection and inevitably slip up, they tend to think "to heck with it I might as well eat whatever I want" or "this is just too hard, I have to give up".

    This is one of the reasons I and many others here try to make sure people know you don't have to give everything up, that it is possible to eat sweets (any food really) in moderation and lose weight/be healthy. It's why I and others react so strongly when people make things like "sugar is poison" or "processed foods are bad for you" because it creates this mindset in many that feel like they have to give everything they love up, and for most people, that's just not the case.

    You keep saying you are doing this to see if it helps with some symptoms and that's fine. But there are a lot of others who are new here lurking these forums who read these bold statements that sugar is bad, or you need to adhere to a list of good/bad foods in order to "detox" your body, and that's just not true.

  • Wannabmarathoner
    Wannabmarathoner Posts: 96 Member
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    Wannabmarathoner wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    When I started this stuff over four years ago, I put more emphasis on what I could add to my diet to make it better than what I needed to take away...when I focused on adding positives to my diet, the negatives just naturally fell by the way side.

    No qualms at all from me in regards to cutting back on free sugars...most people could stand to do so...but I do think people tend to overemphasize eliminations vs what they can add to their diets to make them better. IMO, focusing on the positives you can add makes the experience much more enjoyable...

    I guess it's kind of like focusing on the positive rather than the negative.

    I like that! That's a great thought process to adopt. I tend to be the type of person who would slip up and have a bite or more of deliciousness in the breakroom at work, then decide I already screwed up for the day, so don't even try to eat healthy. I know, it's a sad state of mind. My 3rd day into this, I've consumed more vegetables and less sugar than I've had in months! This is definitely a positive!

    Many people have that all or nothing mindset and when they strive for perfection and inevitably slip up, they tend to think "to heck with it I might as well eat whatever I want" or "this is just too hard, I have to give up".

    This is one of the reasons I and many others here try to make sure people know you don't have to give everything up, that it is possible to eat sweets (any food really) in moderation and lose weight/be healthy. It's why I and others react so strongly when people make things like "sugar is poison" or "processed foods are bad for you" because it creates this mindset in many that feel like they have to give everything they love up, and for most people, that's just not the case.

    You keep saying you are doing this to see if it helps with some symptoms and that's fine. But there are a lot of others who are new here lurking these forums who read these bold statements that sugar is bad, or you need to adhere to a list of good/bad foods in order to "detox" your body, and that's just not true.

    I totally agree with you, but please realize two important points: 1. I am not telling anyone else to do this with me, and 2. I will not be doing this forever! The sugar is poison comment is something I've read and heard from several sources and the amounts I was consuming could very well have negative impact on my health. As soon as I'm finished with my 21 days, will I indulge in a delicious bagel and a pumpkin spice latte? YES! Will I share a decadent dessert with a gentleman at the end of a fabulous dinner? YES! Will I consider it poison, no, but the amount of disgusting refined grocery store bought food I was consuming was probably at poisonous levels. I'm tired of defending myself while I make positive changes. I'm sure someone will find something in here to argue about now.
  • not_my_first_rodeo
    not_my_first_rodeo Posts: 311 Member
    One of the things I took away from my 2 10-day no added sugar/no-processed foods stints was that I forgot how much I liked cooking! It sort of forced me into getting back into the groove. Because I had to do a lot of planning, it helped me get back into that mindset.

    Do I still have processed food? Yes. Do I still have refined sugar? Yes. It's just much more balanced now.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    edited October 2016
    Wannabmarathoner wrote: »
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    Wannabmarathoner wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    When I started this stuff over four years ago, I put more emphasis on what I could add to my diet to make it better than what I needed to take away...when I focused on adding positives to my diet, the negatives just naturally fell by the way side.

    No qualms at all from me in regards to cutting back on free sugars...most people could stand to do so...but I do think people tend to overemphasize eliminations vs what they can add to their diets to make them better. IMO, focusing on the positives you can add makes the experience much more enjoyable...

    I guess it's kind of like focusing on the positive rather than the negative.

    I like that! That's a great thought process to adopt. I tend to be the type of person who would slip up and have a bite or more of deliciousness in the breakroom at work, then decide I already screwed up for the day, so don't even try to eat healthy. I know, it's a sad state of mind. My 3rd day into this, I've consumed more vegetables and less sugar than I've had in months! This is definitely a positive!

    Many people have that all or nothing mindset and when they strive for perfection and inevitably slip up, they tend to think "to heck with it I might as well eat whatever I want" or "this is just too hard, I have to give up".

    This is one of the reasons I and many others here try to make sure people know you don't have to give everything up, that it is possible to eat sweets (any food really) in moderation and lose weight/be healthy. It's why I and others react so strongly when people make things like "sugar is poison" or "processed foods are bad for you" because it creates this mindset in many that feel like they have to give everything they love up, and for most people, that's just not the case.

    You keep saying you are doing this to see if it helps with some symptoms and that's fine. But there are a lot of others who are new here lurking these forums who read these bold statements that sugar is bad, or you need to adhere to a list of good/bad foods in order to "detox" your body, and that's just not true.

    I totally agree with you, but please realize two important points: 1. I am not telling anyone else to do this with me, and 2. I will not be doing this forever! The sugar is poison comment is something I've read and heard from several sources and the amounts I was consuming could very well have negative impact on my health. As soon as I'm finished with my 21 days, will I indulge in a delicious bagel and a pumpkin spice latte? YES! Will I share a decadent dessert with a gentleman at the end of a fabulous dinner? YES! Will I consider it poison, no, but the amount of disgusting refined grocery store bought food I was consuming was probably at poisonous levels. I'm tired of defending myself while I make positive changes. I'm sure someone will find something in here to argue about now.

    I assure you, none of us are arguing with you, some of us are simply pointing out blanket comments not based in fact . There is nothing wrong with doing an elimination diet to find out what your issue is, but making the kinds of statement I put in bold is not based on any true fact that refined grocery store bought food is disgusting and has any possibility of being at poisonous levels. That is the spreading of misinformation.

    Of course you should, under the supervision of your doctor and a good registered dietician, work on finding out what is making you feel badly. However, I am also pointing out the fact that refined foods with sugar in them have a whole lot of other ingredients as well, so it might not be the actual sugar but other ingredients in them that are causing problems. For example, while doing an elimination diet at two different times, I found it was was never the actual sugar causing problems but lactose, and then soy.

    People with diabetes and insulin resistance often do not tolerate high levels of carbs/sugar very well, but they can still eat moderate amounts. Please consider that there could be another medical issue going on that needs attention as well.
  • EspressoLvr
    EspressoLvr Posts: 100 Member
    I support your decision. I'm also in the "evil" camp when speaking of refined sugar. If you normally eat foods with refined sugar and you cut it out, naturally you'll lose some weight, so there's that to look forward to!

    And I found that when I do eat refined sugar now, it makes me feel ill. Not terrible, but I can tell that I've had it and I don't like the way I feel.

    One of the things I found helpful is to make some treats, often found in "paleo" recipies, that use natural sources of sugar, like raisins or stevia, or maple syrup. They always taste earthy, but after a while you get use to the taste of natural sweet, and the refined sugar taste becomes unappealing - it's a learning curve and takes a while to get use to a different kind of sweet. And as always, portion control, being reasonable, etc. wins the day.

    Good luck! You can do it! Other people have and so can you!

    p.s. it's kind of amazing how vehement some people get over this topic!!
  • Wannabmarathoner
    Wannabmarathoner Posts: 96 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Wannabmarathoner wrote: »
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    Wannabmarathoner wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    When I started this stuff over four years ago, I put more emphasis on what I could add to my diet to make it better than what I needed to take away...when I focused on adding positives to my diet, the negatives just naturally fell by the way side.

    No qualms at all from me in regards to cutting back on free sugars...most people could stand to do so...but I do think people tend to overemphasize eliminations vs what they can add to their diets to make them better. IMO, focusing on the positives you can add makes the experience much more enjoyable...

    I guess it's kind of like focusing on the positive rather than the negative.

    I like that! That's a great thought process to adopt. I tend to be the type of person who would slip up and have a bite or more of deliciousness in the breakroom at work, then decide I already screwed up for the day, so don't even try to eat healthy. I know, it's a sad state of mind. My 3rd day into this, I've consumed more vegetables and less sugar than I've had in months! This is definitely a positive!

    Many people have that all or nothing mindset and when they strive for perfection and inevitably slip up, they tend to think "to heck with it I might as well eat whatever I want" or "this is just too hard, I have to give up".

    This is one of the reasons I and many others here try to make sure people know you don't have to give everything up, that it is possible to eat sweets (any food really) in moderation and lose weight/be healthy. It's why I and others react so strongly when people make things like "sugar is poison" or "processed foods are bad for you" because it creates this mindset in many that feel like they have to give everything they love up, and for most people, that's just not the case.

    You keep saying you are doing this to see if it helps with some symptoms and that's fine. But there are a lot of others who are new here lurking these forums who read these bold statements that sugar is bad, or you need to adhere to a list of good/bad foods in order to "detox" your body, and that's just not true.

    I totally agree with you, but please realize two important points: 1. I am not telling anyone else to do this with me, and 2. I will not be doing this forever! The sugar is poison comment is something I've read and heard from several sources and the amounts I was consuming could very well have negative impact on my health. As soon as I'm finished with my 21 days, will I indulge in a delicious bagel and a pumpkin spice latte? YES! Will I share a decadent dessert with a gentleman at the end of a fabulous dinner? YES! Will I consider it poison, no, but the amount of disgusting refined grocery store bought food I was consuming was probably at poisonous levels. I'm tired of defending myself while I make positive changes. I'm sure someone will find something in here to argue about now.

    I assure you, none of us are arguing with you, some of us are simply pointing out blanket comments not based in fact . There is nothing wrong with doing an elimination diet to find out what your issue is, but making the kinds of statement I put in bold is not based on any true fact that refined grocery store bought food is disgusting and has any possibility of being at poisonous levels. That is the spreading of misinformation.

    Of course you should, under the supervision of your doctor and a good registered dietician, work on finding out what is making you feel badly. However, I am also pointing out the fact that refined foods with sugar in them have a whole lot of other ingredients as well, so it might not be the actual sugar but other ingredients in them that are causing problems. For example, while doing an elimination diet at two different times, I found it was was never the actual sugar causing problems but lactose, and then soy.

    People with diabetes and insulin resistance often do not tolerate high levels of carbs/sugar very well, but they can still eat moderate amounts. Please consider that there could be another medical issue going on that needs attention as well.

    As an RN, I know. You've driven your point home. Can you move on?

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