The I Quit Sugar program: time to choose (week 8)
Two months. No sugar. It’s out of your system. Hoorah! Now it’s over to you. Do you feel you want to stay off sugar, or do you want to go back to the way things were? Do you want to reintroduce a bit of fructose or be a nah-a-skerrick-pass-thy-lips proponent?
Personally, I say do what you like. The point being, of course, now you’re in a position to choose. And THAT has been my point all along. We can’t choose when we eat too much of it because we’re hooked on it. We can choose when we’re clean, we can moderate when we’re clean, we can back off and recalibrate quickly when we’re clean.
image via Food and Other Kitchen Obsessions
Some quick housekeeping
- my final IQS webinar is on Monday 27th February, at 8pm (requests for a later start noted!). Sign up here. And BIG apologies for losing the recording of the last one…a “fumble with the right button” malfunction.
- I’m the keynote speaker at The Conscious Club THIS Wednesday night in Sydney. I’m talking about Stuff I Learned From Chats with The Dalai Lama, Sir Richard Branson et al. We meditate, chat and then eat food by Madam Char Char. Basically, it’s about doing something a bit different…and consciously so. I’ve written about it here…I’d love to meet people from this blog there. Come! A few tickets left.
- I’ll be continuing with the giveaways, offers and information geared at no-sugar eaters. To have a limb in the running, make sure you’re signed up to the I Quit Sugar newsletter and I Quit Sugar Facebook page.
- I promised a chocolate post as well as a post on whether it’s good to quit grains/carbs after quitting sugar. Oh, and a post with a rundown of what I eat most days. These are coming…
And a video…
Did you see this on Friday on Seven’s Today Tonight? I feature in it…and have a very tabloid moment where I gaze out to the distance, pensively. Please try not to laugh…And WHAT’S with my lisp? It’s a shame they didn’t quite get the fructose explanation right. And the nutritionist dude didn’t quite explain that our brains need glucose not “sugar” (the kind he’s referring to). But…
A final note from me….
You’ve probably noticed of late…quitting sugar has attracted a lot of attention…and flak. I explain why I think this happens in the book. As you know. It’s also a VERY politically charged issue. And commercially charged. [I'm doing a podcast with David Gillespie on this in a few days.]
Plus, I admit, there are some extremists out there who ruin it for the rest of us. They scare the nutritionists and the columnists into thinking this is some militant diet.
But I guess I just keep going back to this point: it ain’t going to hurt anyone to go sugar-free for two months. Gently, curiously.
And this: moderation is just not possible when you’re addicted. The science proves that sugar is addictive, that it messes with our natural appetite control systems and our hormones. Which means most of us are too attached to it, too tangled up with it, to know what is the right amount to eat.
I’ve been off sugar 12 months now.
I now eat a little bit of sugar. I’m able to choose moderation. And I’m able to listen to my body. I couldn’t before because I was addicted and unaware.
I now eat 4-5 serves of fruit/week. I prefer vegetables. Always have. I eat a lot of vegetables.
I’ve had to back off from the amount of fat I eat. I got a bit too excited for a while there. But I have saturated fat with every meal to help with residual sugar cravings.
Sometimes I eat chocolate. I love chocolate. I CHOOSE chocolate as my sugar indulgence over, say, fruit juice or a pasta sauce. But I’m aware it’s an indulgence and monitor myself closely.
I still “grab” towards sugar. A few bites of chocolate and I want MORE. I have to grab back to myself. Recalibrate. And get gentle again.
Sometimes I have a mouthful of a dessert or I deal with the fact my burger comes with sauce or I eat a Japanese soup that clearly has Mirin in it. Whatever. I’m cool. I’m aware. I’m not precious. I just make choices where I can.
I kept losing weight…since I first wrote the book. My body feels quite good.
I still slip up and I know I’ll have my sugar addiction for a very long time. When it’s grabbing at me, I try to pull away from the sweet substitutes, too. The taste and associations…they’re part of my old addiction. I try to recalibrate with vegetables and, I don’t know, doing something else. I try.
I’m sticking with this above approach because it works for me. And I’ll keep experimenting – not militantly, just gently.
Time to ask yourself, what works for you? What’s do-able? What choices do you want to make? No one is telling you what to do, but you’re simply informed and can choose better. At least I hope so….
a new product to try
On the chocolate note…these Naked Treaties Superfood Truffles are beyond luscious. So too the Minties balls. Jemma has become a friend. We connected over conscious eating and living. She handmakes her balls using 100% raw products. She also blesses her products each morning before she starts “cooking”. I like this. I also like that each ball contains one gram of fructose (I’m guessing less than 1/3 tsp of sugar). They are my indulgence of choice at the moment. You can buy them direct from her shop here or online here.
some stand out contributions from readers
As we come to our last week of this IQS program, I thought I’d share some stand out contributions I’ve spotted over the past eight weeks. Thanks to everyone who has been tweeting on the IQS hashtag, adding tips and tricks on facebook, and sharing their knowledge and recipes on this blog. I’ve loved seeing this little community grow.
From @taliacarbis: this Sugar-Free Lamington Recipe
Lamingtons have three parts: sponge, chocolate icing, and coconut. None of these are optional. But they can be sugarfree.
How to make the sponge:
• 6 eggs
• 3/4 cup dextrose
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1/2 cup SR flour
• 75g melted butterPreheat oven to 180 C. Spray a lamington tin with spray oil, baking paper as well.
Combine the eggs, dextrose and vanilla in a heatproof bowl. Microwave on 50% (for about 30 seconds) to disolve the dextrose. Beat in a mixer until pale, thick and doubled in size.
Gently fold in the sifted flours, and the cooled melted butter. Mix until just combined and there is no flour.
Spread the mix into the tin. Cook for 25-30 minutes or until firm to touch. With this lamington sponge, it’s best to cook until it’s firmer then a normal sponge. Leave it to cool.How to make the icing:
• 3/4 cup dextrose
• 2 tbs water
• 2 egg whites
• 80-100g butter
• 2 1/2 tbs cocoaHeat the dextrose and water in a pan (you could also use a saucepan) until it enters ‘soft ball’ stage.
Beat the egg whites to soft peaks. Trickle the dextrose mixtrure into the egg whites while still beating, until combined.
Beat the butter in a separate bowl so it’s light and thoroughly mixed. Mix the two together in a bowl with the cocoa.
Once lamingtons have been dipped in icing, roll in desiccated coconut.
Scandi Foodie’s vegan sugar-free challenge
I posted about Maria’s challenge here – amazing vegan/vego sugarfree suggestions. I’m not vegan and so my ebook tends to be quite meat and dairy focused. Maria’s contribution, I know, has been invaluable to many of you.
Crash Test Mummy’s ‘sugar crash’ journey
Laney blogs at Crash Test Mummy, and blogged her ‘sugar crash’ journey over the IQS program. Loved your enthusiasm Laney.
Melbourne Maharini
I added one of Melbourne Maharini’s recipes in a recent sugar free recipes post, and I love her ‘ten things I’ve learnt about quitting sugar’ post.
Nat’s tapioca treat!
The gorgeous Nat at The Pagoda Tree blogged this tropical tapioca recipe on Friday. It looks delicious! Nat is an acupuncturist, herbalist, natural fertility educator, and natural health expert and has been amazing with answering your questions on blogs and via the IQS hashtag. Blessings to you, my friend.
Special thanks to Naz Kovacs
For all of her raw, honest contributions over the past eight weeks. You’re seen, and appreciated!
A few great testimonies:
I got a lovely rush from some of these…they might inspire you, too.
Matt: thank you for this brilliant program. I’ve lost 11kgs to date, now am at a perfect weight for my height and eat as ‘much’ (quantity-wise) as I used to but am now eating the right things. Really important difference, as I’ve discovered. I’m bouncy, have clear, glowing skin and am just generally enjoying life without the lethargic, dark cloud that was sugar hanging over me constantly. When I read posts on this blog, I [thought] Oh, they must have exercised while quitting sugar, done something else etc. Other than lifting the occasional 20kg dumbbell in my backyard (which I have always done, mind you) I’ve exercised no more than usual. I started at 98kg in November last year, am now at 87kg as of this morning. Living this experiment has just opened me up to a whole new way of living life.
Jane: I was diagnosed with cancer a little more than a year ago at the age of 42. I was a very healthy, happy lawyer, writer and mother of two young children. Two major operations, 6 months of chemo and 12 months of Herceptin has been a shattering jolt to me and everyone around me, but I am hopeful I have made a full recovery. I have quit sugar (thanks to you) and it has solved all my fatigue.
Jon: When you originally spoke about quitting sugar early this year in the Sunday paper I had, “had enough” of being overweight (113kg), on BP medication for nearly 30 years (I’m not yet 50!!), anti-depressants, thyroid drugs (from a tumour, so I think I have to stay on them), so I thought I’d give it a try. Over this last year, I have dropped 20kg through diet alone, I’ve now joined a gym and getting ‘ripped’ (?!?!), I’ve just weaned myself of the anti-depressants, I’m now dropping the BP meds due to dizzy spells and LOW BP, due to the meds; my skin has cleared up (been bad since high school), people are saying I look 10 years younger and I feel like I want to do things and get on with life again.
extra reading
As you venture off to choose and eat haloumi and read the back of your yoghurt label, these links might help.
This one shows how to calculate the amount of fructose in your fruit. A very interesting read. Remember that fruit contains sugar (1/2 fructose) plus extra fructose. This link explain all.
Some good images of how much sugar is in some everyday breakfast foods.
And this oldie-but-goodie: how much sugar in apple juice and soft drink and the rest.
This read is slightly problematic in its understanding of the fact…but does also outline sugar content in everyday stuff.
For more of this kinda thing…stay tuned to my I Quit Sugar Facebook page.
And, of course, if you’ve got any further questions…post below for the final webinar Feb 28th. Sign up here. And do let me know what you did and didn’t like about this program that started in January…should I do it again down the track? In Spring?
Sarah, I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I’d kiss you if I could.
I’ve been overweight since I was a kid. Like, 5 years old. Not kidding. I’ve tried every diet/healthy eating program/lifestyle change there is, and this is the first time I’ve seen one through to the end. It’s a little odd to compare IQS to past diets, because this had nothing to do with losing weight for me, but everything to do with being healthy.
I have lost weight – a welcome side effect – and feel clean, healthy, glowing, happy. The depression I’ve had since I was a child has lifted considerably.
I say this with tears in my eyes. THANK YOU for changing my life completely.
[Reply]
February 21st, 2012 at 1:49 pm
oh, i have tears in my eyes…I think this works because it’s NOT a diet. I truly hope the wellness continues. xxx
[Reply]
February 21st, 2012 at 7:49 pm
It’s going to. I’m not stopping now! Thanks.
[Reply]
Thanks for everything Sarah! I’ve continued to lose weight also, now at 84kg!
For everyone choosing to continue along the program, I believe that it’s really important to make your own rules, to fit the program in with your own lifestyle. Keep true to the pillars of IQS, but don’t be afraid to try new things. Investigate. Be adventurous! Be curious! And if you slip up occasionally, who cares! Get right back on the wagon. Tomorrow’s a new day.
Good luck to you all!
[Reply]
I started the #IQS program in early November and I’m still going strong. On occaision, I’ll have blueberries or another kind of fruit. But I keep it quite restrictive. There’s no chocolate or icecream or any other kind of sweet, sugary treats in my life and to be honest, I don’t miss them.
I was last weighed in August and then again this weekend. I’ve lost around 6kg in this time and people are starting to ask: “Have you lost weight”. Yes I have. The only thing that’s changed is what I’m putting in my mouth and I haven’t been particularly militant about it.
Because I also have Hashimoto’s I suspect that my weight loss is still a little hampered. By ND and I are working on this, so with her help and getting sugar out of my diet, I’m starting to feel and look better than I have in years.
Personally I think a lot of the aggro about giving up sugar (from other people) is to do with their own raging addictions and because let’s face it, we’ve all been sold up the sugared laneway of marketing messages.
To anyone who might be thinking about trying out #IQS, give it a go. See what happens. Without a doubt, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
[Reply]
Yes ditto, thankyou Sarah for taking away that sugar glaze and revealing the naked, fresh, healthy truth. Yes there have been slip ups along the way and as in life I am sure there will be more, but now I know why and how to ‘recalibrate’ – to coin your phrase.
My moods are better, I’m losing weight slowly and healthy, food tastes amazing! My taste buds are changing, – I never noticed how scratchy, rough and cardboardy processed, sugar packed food tasted till now. I savour the delicious and rich tastes of fruit when I have the odd piece, rather then just ‘inhaling’ it for a quick fix.
I am excited about drinking a cup of tea, I get up in the morning with a zest for the day ahead, feeling energetic and wanting to get off the couch and go for a long walk, to smell the roses etc etc.
And I ‘blame’ this all on you Sarah Wilson and THANK YOU ENOURMOUSLY….
[Reply]
Ok Sarah – not sure where to put this little ‘cry’ for help and support, but figured with others still taking on your IQS Challenge, this is a good a place as any. I have been going through an elimination diet to help work out which foods trigger my IBS. It is the very intense and rather bland Royal Prince Alfred Hopstial in NSW Diet Program. My problem is that I am now eating – and too much of – cashew butter. It tastes so yum and is the only nut I am allowed to eat. But ist has caused me to gain a little weight. So I am now embarking on a little challenge of my own IQCB – I Quit Cashew Butter! I started your IQS last Oct and I haven’t looked back – so I figure this one will be just as easy (I hope!) At least putting it on your blog makes it ‘real’ and with others knowing I will be more inclined to do it!!!
[Reply]
February 20th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
Good luck, I’ve become a bit addicted as well and when I finish this lot I’m not making anymore!
[Reply]
February 20th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
I hear you! I’ve been through that diet, and you’re supposed to only have a small amount of CB because of the amine content. I ate way too much because it became a bit of a crutch to help with my peanut butter withdrawals. I stopped buying it and when I didn’t eat it for a few days, I didn’t feel like I needed it anymore
[Reply]
February 20th, 2012 at 7:26 pm
Thanks Sarah – yes it was my crutch too – it was something that actually tasted quite nice after everything else seemed rather bland. So in a few days time I hope to not have the desire to want it anymore.
[Reply]
February 21st, 2012 at 1:51 pm
I hear you. I ate a jar of macadamia paste in three days not so long ago…not so great for the digestion. But someimtes you have to learn the hard way!
February 28th, 2012 at 8:09 pm
I failed – succumbed to the cashew butter again! Ok, so now I am starting again – I hope that it is more successful than last time!
Loved your last webinar. Have you considered using Kondoot.com? It’s a new live video streaming service based in Australia, it will automatically record your broadcast and you can also chat with your viewers as you’re streaming
Can’t wait to see your daily food rundown. The cold I’m currently trying to kick is such a motivator for quitting the sugar in a more permanent manner right now, ugh it’s horrible!
Have a lovely week!
[Reply]
Thanks so much for acknowledging my own IQS journey and linking through to me Sarah. After breaking up with sugar in a ‘Dear John’ style letter 6 weeks ago, I’ve just posted “5 reasons why I won’t take sugar back”. We are through! Thanks largely to you and your easy approach to getting sugar out of your life. It may seem like an early call, but it just doesn’t have a hold on me anymore. Easier to get rid of than a good looking ex I reckon
Thanks x
[Reply]
I feel great now because I at least have the option to choose whether or not I eat sugar. I never had that choice before, I couldn’t say no even if I wanted to. It no longer controls me and that is a huge relief!
[Reply]
First of all thank you to Sarah for mentioning me above in this post – I’m happy to have contributed to the IQS program, even if it was just through comments
I would also like to thank all the other commentators who filled up my email with their words of wisdom and gave all of us tips and tricks to get through this journey. I would wake up and have 40-50 email notifications from the IQS program and loved reading through them and getting other people’s perspectives.
I slipped up yesterday at work, I work p/t at a cooking class….yesterday the class was on baking, the students made 4 different desserts. I’ve worked at other classes where sugar was a problem and have been able to resist so far. Yesterday was different I don’t know why it happened, maybe because I hadn’t slipped up yet during IQS and felt subconsciously like I wanted to know what a slip up would feel like so I tried one dessert, then I tried another and then another and another…. and before you know it I was shoving 3 choc orange biscuits in my mouth (and I HATE anything with choc and fruit especially orange!)
I realised as I was eating away that HOLY crap this stuff really is addictive and I can’t just stop at one! I even gave into eating the mixed berry merlot sorbet I was offered with a load of sugar in it!
I felt so guilty at the end and just gross….BUT it made me realise that I want to continue with IQS and it also made me remember how I used to be when eating sugar and that I was more addicted than I thought. I can’t just stop at one…not right now, maybe in the future?
So for now I will continue with IQS, I’ve started eating some frozen blueberries in the form of fruit (mind you it’s freezing cold here but I love the taste of frozen blueberries), I make dessert every now and then using stevia and will continue using stevia in my desserts at home. I have made the switch to full-fat dairy and will continue to stick with it (have pulled back a bit on the amount I eat), cheese has become my friend again and coconut oil and butter are my new found joys! Oh and also a handful of cocoa nibs and unsweetened shredded coconut eaten together tastes so good to me!
I haven’t yet had to deal with questions from family re the whole sugar thing (I live overseas), but I guess I’ll deal with that when I have to. I don’t know yet if I can say no to sugar always (e.g. birthdays etc), but in my own home as I said I will continue without the sugar and hopefully after my slip up at work I can be stronger in my will to resist!
And while I haven’t felt the withdrawal symptoms that others have during this program, I have noticed changes here and there, namely not having anymore afternoon slumps and having better periods since starting (less pain, less desire to stuff myself full of chocolate etc.)
Good luck to everyone from this point on and I’m looking forward to more IQS in the future
[Reply]
Oh and one more thing….tea has TRULY become my friend, I’ve also discovered a nice little shop here which sells beautiful loose leaf teas and love my daily ritual of tea drinking now
[Reply]
Hi Sarah
I sadly can’t attend the Conscious Club as I now have work committments in Melbourne that night. If you hear of anyone wanting a ticket, pleaes ask them to email me at charlotte.h.hill@gmail.com.
The ticket will be discounted.
My bad luck is someone’s opportunity.
For anyone not sure – I have been to both the other Conscious Club meets. They are amazing, great group of people (all ages), moving speakers and interestng presentations. Dont hesitate, go!
[Reply]
February 21st, 2012 at 1:52 pm
will do…the event is now sold out…so anyone keen, perhaps email Charlie
[Reply]
Hi Sarah,
Can I ask a Quinoa question? – should we be soaking it before cooking or do you think rinsing is enough? If soaking, how long to you recommend?
Thanks a mill!
[Reply]
February 20th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
or if anyone knows the right thing to do here,
id be mighty obliged!! going for quinoa instead of rice for dinner here …!!!
thanks!
[Reply]
February 20th, 2012 at 9:07 pm
Hi seeker. You don’t need to soak quinoa. Rinsing it thoroughly is an important step though, as it rinses off naturally occurring plant chemicals that are often coating the seeds. I’ve read that most packaged quinoa has been rinsed, but it’s still advisable to rinse yourself too.
[Reply]
February 21st, 2012 at 7:44 am
Thanks a million Marnie! Appreciate that!
February 21st, 2012 at 1:53 pm
Marnie is correct! rinse twice. the sapins are the issue with quinoa.
February 21st, 2012 at 7:51 pm
No worries!
Thank you Sarah for the 8 week IQS program. It has been the support I’ve needed to quit sugar and I’m going to MISS it! I’ll miss reading all of the varied and interesting posts, as I love them all!
I came across your ebook after following David Gillespies books and it was perfect timing, as I made the desicion to quit, however, was still unsure ‘how’! Your 8 week program has been invaluable and I believe you should definitely do it again for all of the IQS newbies that are coming on board.
My goal is to lose weight and at this point I’ll be honest, I’ve gained
Not because of sugar, but I too got carried away with the whole ‘eat more fat’ and have been way too indulgent. I have now recognized this though, and acknowledged that I need to reassess my way of eating and not ‘indulge’ but just eat normally, without the sugar, and moderate the fat indulgence ( cheese being the culprit!)
Thank you, thank you, thank you
Judy
[Reply]
May I add my thanks, Sarah.
Though it’s too early to say whether my immne system is any stronger for it, I feel stronger and better and healthier in myself, and clearer in my head so that can only help, right?!
I tested myself on sugar for the first time in 6 weeks on Saturday and decided to get myself a piece of one of my true loves…cake. The funny thing is, I walked almost all the way down Smith St before I found a piece of cake in a cafe that looked worth breaking my sugar free diet for…a piece of vegan and gluten free chocolate and cherry cake. For the first time in my life, I savoured every mouthful, but couldn’t eat the icing (too sickly) or finish the cake. I had no symptoms afterwards other than slightly more effort saying no to desserts when they were offered to me over the next couple of days.
For me, I will conciously allow myself treats like this, but only when I REALLY want it and only for something sweet I REALLY love. I know I’ll fall off the wagon again, but I’ll be telling myself that it only takes less than a week to get back on it.
Oh, and I’ve lost 4 kilos in 6 weeks too…not the aim but definitely feels good
Finally, just lashed out and bought myself an (as in singular, about a tenth less than I would have previously!) organic peach and an organic nectarine to savour over the next week, because I know I can.
Thank you again Sarah and everyone for sharing,
Meg
[Reply]
I hadn’t realised how addictive it is until IQS. Now I know that some things I simply can’t have as they cause a ‘run on the bank – quick stuff your face!’ Other foods seem to be OK and I can take or leave. So good to be more observing of it all. When we finally move house (rental elusive but settlement imminent! Yikes) I’m going the 21 day vegan thingy for my next experiment! Lisa
[Reply]
It’s interesting, in the last week I haven’t been feeling the benefits, got a head cold and have broken out in pimples on my face, which I never get. Not sure if it is linked but I do just want to get back to feeling good from not having sugar. I don’t think I’ll be going back anytime soon and I am really enjoying not being interested in eating any of the Lillie’s, chocolate or cake that I can sometime partake. Thanks everyone for your comments and advice, I’m enjoying this journey. I had someone today say that I’ve been a good influence with quitting sugar because he is paying more attention to how much sugar is in things that we aren’t aware of.
[Reply]
I too would like to thank you Sarah. I have become a huge proponent of IQS, inspiring anyone who will listen to me to give it a try. It’s well worth it in my books. I have lost about 4kgs but heaps of cm’s overall – must be all the crappola getting out of my body and me getting back to just me with no excess “stuff”. Losing weight was not my goal. Getting balanced was and I am!
I can honestly say I never and I mean NEVER have any cravings for anything – sweet, savoury, fruit, chocolate, carbs, whatever. This is a side effect I had not anticipated and I’m loving it. To be free to eat when you want to and what your body needs is amazing. To not be dictated to by the craving “I need some x, y, z” is truly freeing!
Thank you!
I am planning on staying as sugar free as possible it’s just better for me and I feel heaps better for it. I have had my ups and downs with questions as to why I’m doing this and will I ever eat sugar again. People just don’t get it but I always encourage them to experiment with their own giving up of sugar to see how they feel. I hope they will.
I think my biggest intentional slip was about 2 tsp of honey – LOL – that’s a biggie for me as previously it would have been anything and everything
Thanks again!
[Reply]
Sarah,
Thank you so much for this program. It has been amazing! I have tried so many new foods and methods of cooking. That in itself has been an education. But the elimination of sugar was also an incredible step for me. I no longer crave anything sweet. I used to all the time. When you told us to “be gentle with ourselves” I took it to heart and noticed that the times I slipped up with sugar (this was in the very beginning) I was always STARVING. I had been too busy to eat and running around without time to feed myself. As soon as I realized this, I made an effort to never reach the starving phase. But on top of that, the next time it happened by accident I knew why I was craving sugar: instant energy. And I was able to say no, and feed myself something nutritious instead.
I now crave vegetables. I am so surprised by this. I liked vegetables before, but never craved them. I thought the elimination of sugar would make me eat more carbs (pasta and bread to make up for lack of cake and cookies) but instead I want to make beet root chips, roasted brussel sprouts, spaghetti squash and sauteed bok choy. I think my taste buds have changed. They can now taste the beautiful and delicate nuances of natural foods.
When I slipped up in my first and second weeks, I would eat too many cookies. But last week I let myself have birthday cake at a friend’s party. I shared half a slice with my boyfriend and didn’t want more. It was much, MUCH too sweet. That freedom from the addiction of going back for more was so liberating. I cannot thank you enough.
I loved this program. And I loved how you urged us to view it as an experiment and to be kind to ourselves when we made a mistake. This is so different than any diet out there. I think this is why you can succeed with your program. Thank you so much for your insight, your recipes, your support and your teachings, Sarah. After this 8 week program I am going to continue IQS. And I plan to do so indefinitely.
[Reply]
I would also like to add that I will be sorry to see the IQS postings go. I loved all your suggestions, updates, support, new recipes and new foods to try. If you want to continue with posts like this I would absolutely LOVE it. Or, if you are more interested in running another similar program in the spring/summer, I would encourage you to do that too!
[Reply]
Hi all, I’ve just completed a week of the program and am enjoying it more than I ever could have imagined! Just a question regarding weight loss. How long did it take you? I think it would be just that extra motivation for me to stay strong in the face of sweets. thanks
[Reply]
February 24th, 2012 at 4:47 am
Hi S, it didn’t take long for me to feel the benefits of doing IQS, weight loss was there but it was more that I was/am feeling better, more “even”, I mean not so many ups and downs from an emotional standpoint and I started trying different foods which has been great.
Unfortunately I became a tad enamoured by adding fat back into my diet through whole milk, olive oil, butter etc but especially cashew nut butter. I’ve now started cutting back on that and am starting to feel better and lighter again.
Good Luck!
[Reply]
February 29th, 2012 at 10:56 pm
Thanks for your response! Glad to hear it worked so well for you! I am yet to feel any positive changes (emotionally, or in my body), but I am doing a university placement that has been extremely stressful, so I think I am unbalanced to begin with!
Hopefully I will feel some results soon
x
[Reply]
Hi Sarah
You are on it baby
headline news somewhere, possibly SMH (sorry)
Aussie are on the sugar binge
Hard to believe
I’m on the no salt diet (thanks to Bob C)
That would be the oppsoite of bicycle
I’ll wait here unitil u tweak, not already (sorry)
ANYWAY, NO SUGAR you say, well I better keep reading and sort it
Cheers
MH
[Reply]
I did the 8 week drop sugar campaign at the end of last year, and felt fabulous. I didn’t lose weight -I’m not overweight – but everyone thought I had because the bloat completely disappeared.
I timed it to end just before Christmas as I was travelling overseas and wanted to eat Macarons!
What interested me is how quickly sugar became part of my regular diet again afterwards. From when I got home on Jan 7, till I gave up sugar for FebFast, I had more fruit and just a taste of sugar, almost every day. And I felt lethargic, grumpy, bloated, out of sorts, liverish.
But when I gave it up again for FebFast, it was easy-peasy. No head ache, no withdrawl. I’ve kept eating a piece of fruit a day this time round (I just couldn’t give up peaches and nectarines), and I’ve had a mouthful of dessert in outstanding restaurants…when it would ruin the ‘experience’ not to.
I tell my friends that eating sugar is now a conscious decision. I’m having the sugar – it’s not having me! And when I chose to eat it – I really saviour and enjoy it.
[Reply]
Hello,
I have a few question RE what to eat and avoid. what are your thoughts on the following:
- rice milk
- I have a quick question regarding yoghurt. i love the brand barambah and was wondering if the passionfriut one was ok? it says it only has 4.7grams sugar (which is ok for a diary product- yesi have read your book) but it tastes really sweet? thoughts?
- also as far as cutting out the friut (especially in week three) do you include tomatoes in this? AND what about carrot and beetroot? (they are sweeter veges) are they ok?
- polenta and/or semolina
Thank you
Karli-Jane
[Reply]
• 3/4 cup dextrose, dextrose is sugar
[Reply]
Sarah can you help?! I didn’t know where else to post this question.
I’ve been off sugar now for at least 2 months and I’ve noticed only positive changes and I’m not really struggling anymore to stick to it. Fair to say a little sugar may sneak in to the diet on the odd occasion, but no where near the amounts I was eating.
The problem I have however is dizziness and a light and fuzzy head, it comes and goes all day. The doctor has said that my blood pressure is a little low but I forgot to tell her about the change to my diet and I wonder whether the quitting of sugar may have anything to do with it? It only started after I changed my diet.
Tonight at gym (first visit back for a while) I was super dizzy and struggled a lot. My trainer asked how much sugar I was eating and I answered none. He suggests eating fruit in the morning to try and keep my blood sugar levels up, but I’m reluctant. Given that it’s the highs and lows in blood sugar I’m trying to avoid right?
Any other suggestions? Does anyone else report this problem? I really can’t deal with the dizziness for much longer and I’d be keen to hear your thoughts on whether you think it’s related.
Thanks so much!
[Reply]
Hi Lauren
Not Sarah but I’ve got low blood pressure, not having the dizziness you are but I did ask the dr last time I was there and she said to make sure I was getting enough water or fluids. I am making sure I get 2L a day now and I’m feeling good for it.
[Reply]
I know alot of people are keen to find/ try coconut butter (Artisana), coconut flour, brown rice syrup, etc. Well I’ve found a great US website: http://www.iherb.com
The food products are inexpensive and many are organic. If you use referral code ZAV439 on your first order you’ll receive $10 off for orders over $40 or $5 for under that amount. Transparency alert: I get a small commission.
[Reply]
[...] decided to take on the no sugar challenge presented by Sarah Wilson, on her blog. Her I Quit Sugar ebook allows you to wean yourself off of sugar and add it back into your diet [...]
I’m currently obsessed with my sugar-free diet. I’m using natural sweeteners that are very safe to use. It is made from natural ingredients and it has low calorie and carbohydrate content. I’m using a natural sweetener named Natvia, it’s amazing that it’s a healthy alternative yet tastes a lot like sugar. So you don’t feel like “depriving” yourself while on a diet.
[Reply]