No Sugar Challenge

Sofitness
Sofitness Posts: 54
edited September 29 in Motivation and Support
I've been thinking about starting this a lot lately. Except for a dressing on a salad that I had to eat in order to not insult friend's father forever I've been sweetener free for almost two weeks, I think.
And it feels great! It's sort of life changing experience, if you may and I really don't crave sweet stuff! In fact, I even challenge myself with buying treats I loved a while ago and then I put them next to my computer - I worked for several hours without touching them and being really tempted to do so!

(this part is copied from fitfabulousforever.com)
RULES:
Processed Foods – We will be eliminating all added sugar whether it’s by itself or hidden among the other unhealthy ingredients in processed foods. Label reading is essential to have a successful two weeks without added sugar. Below you will find a comprehensive list of sugar by all sorts of names…you might be surprised.

Eliminate all added Sugar – The important thing to keep in mind is that all sugar –to include agave nectar, raw honey, sorghum, secant, cane syrup, molasses, maple syrup, etc.– can pack on the pounds. If a product advertises as having NO HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP…then most definitely flip the package over and read the ingredient’s label. Chances are good that it contains sugar in one form or another. This is an opportunity to cleanse your body of all added sugar while having support and motivation from others who are on board with the challenge.

The average American eats up to three pounds of refined sugar per week– most of that being in processed foods –hidden under an assumed name. Here are some of the disguises sugar hides behind:

Brown Sugar, Sugar Honey, Sucrose, Corn Syrup, Molasses, Confectioner’s Sugar, Powdered Sugar, Date Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Maltodextrin, Molasses Powder, Turbinado, Maple syrup, Glucose, Dextrin, Lactose, Fructose, Caramel, Fruit sugar, Maple Sugar, Dextrose, Chicory syrup, Barley Malt, Beet Sugar, Cane Juice, Carob Sugar, Castor Sugar, Demerara Sugar, Galactose, Invert Sugar, Malt Syrup…



So if someone would be interested, I'd like to start "Sugar Free Challenge Weeks". They say it takes two to give up on sugar completely, but I'd rather do a new one every week so more people could join.
I was thinking of some levels to start with:

1. level: Sugar Cut-Down
You'll set yourself a limit of how much sugary treats do you allow yourself daily. Whether it's one or ten, it should be a little challenging, but not too much to cause binge eating out of deprivation!

2. level: Added Sugar Free
You'll cut out all added sugar (brown and white) for a week. Sweeteners like splenda, honey, molasses, agave and stevia are allowed.

3. level: Artifical sweetener & added sugar free
Only natural sweeteners (honey, molasses, stevia, agave...) are allowed.

4. level: Added sweetener free (the one I'm trying to do now)
Cutting out all sweeteners icluding the natural ones.

5. level: Natural sugars cut-down
Setting limit for healthy things that have sugar in it, like fruits and dairy products.

Replies

  • Kalrez
    Kalrez Posts: 655 Member
    I cut out HFCS for about 6 months. Definitely not an easy task, but one that is so worth it. I may consider doing this in the not-too-distant future.
  • annie_CA
    annie_CA Posts: 38 Member
    count me in
    I gave up sugar for 5 months about 2 years ago and I felt great. I had so much energy!
  • clarech
    clarech Posts: 157 Member
    I will try and give it a go might struggle giving up my fat free yoghurts as they are probably full of it.
  • Sarabeth5
    Sarabeth5 Posts: 134 Member
    I'm in too! I was sugar free for a month and just fell off the wagon a week ago. Trying hard to get back on and this might be the push I need!
  • wlddove
    wlddove Posts: 85 Member
    I keep thinking about trying this, so I might have to join you. Sugar is my vice!! But I feel like everything has some sort of sugar in it. What do you eat without it?
  • Sofitness
    Sofitness Posts: 54
    Thanks everyone for the responses! I'm thinking Monday as a starting day?

    widdlove: Vegetables, fruits, legumes, seeds, whole grains, nuts, lean meats, dairy... There are plenty of things without added sugar! You just have to look more carefully and stay away from the isles of your grocery's. It was unmanageable for me in the beginning too, I took those little baby-steps and now I can proudly say I'm eating pretty clean most of the time. I hope you'll join!
  • wlddove
    wlddove Posts: 85 Member
    Ahhh, okay... no "added" sugar. That I can dig. I was thinking of the sugar in fruits and veggies too...

    I'll give it a shot!! :o)
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