On Monday night I did my first I Quit Sugar webinar, which was oddly fun given there I was in a hotel room talking to a pinhole in my laptop screen (when I remembered to)….
image via lavoile tumblr
Over 200 viewers live, plenty of questions… and plenty who watched later on…
I answered:
* Are lemons OK?
* Why some people lose weight and others don’t when they quit sugar (there is a reason!)
* What are some portable snacks that aren’t veggie sticks and nuts
* What exercise do I do
* Plus more…
I know many of you asked via twitter and facebook whether you could find the video later if you couldn’t watch live. Here she is: on my Ustream page. I’ve also posted it on facebook, and you can watch it here.
I’ll be doing another one shortly.
In the meantime, if you have any more IQS questions for next week, please add them in the comments section here.
Thanks for uploading this webinar to watch in our own time Sarah! I am a new sugar-free, primal convert and am just loving the exciting transformation I am going through since adopting this new way of living. I drank and ate a coconut before netball last night (usually I’d down a can of Red Bull and then some Gatorade), and found the natural electrolytes provided me with all the hydration and energy I needed. Felt wonderful to find a natural alternative to the sugar/taurine packed energy drinks! If you have an idea for anymore good drinks/natural food before sport I’d be interested to hear your views.
I was actually wondering if you could elaborate a bit more on Vanilla Extract. I thought the stuff was full of sugar and saw that some people drizzle a bit on natural yoghurt for dessert. Isn’t this breaking the sugar code completely? Or is there a more natural form of vanilla extract you can buy that I’m overlooking?
Thanks and love your blog and e-book!
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February 1st, 2012 at 12:30 pm
I use vanilla extract all the time so I’m interested to know if it is ok to use as well, seeing as vanilla powder is fine.
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February 1st, 2012 at 8:47 pm
A quick Google search revealed that there’s 0.6g of sugar in one teaspoon in the average vanilla extract. It’s worth notice that the Queen brand apparently has 3.1g per teaspoon.
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February 2nd, 2012 at 1:09 pm
I never use more than a tsp so don’t see a problem in using it.
Thanks Sarah, really enjoyed the webinar and looking forward to the next one.
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Once again thanks Sarah for answering my questions on the webinar, I found the whole thing very informative even though some idiot was posting rude questions the whole time!
I posted this question on week 5′s post but I guess I’ll post again on here –
What’s the deal with tomato paste? Ok to use?
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February 1st, 2012 at 12:34 pm
P.S I found it funny how you (sarah) said on the webinar Naz (he or she) – I’m a she but I get how you wouldn’t want to mess it up lol.
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Is there a trick to downloading this video? I click on the site and it takes me to the page but nothing happens.
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February 1st, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Are you on an iPhone (or similar device)? You’ll have more luck on a desktop.
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February 1st, 2012 at 1:27 pm
No, I’m using my laptop. It just won’t upload
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February 1st, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Odd!
Hi Sarah,
Great webinar! I was curious about the Nutrition Australia claiming there is no science behind claims that fructose is a poison… yada yada yada… so I did a bit of a Google and found this: http://www.nutritionaustralia.org/national/frequently-asked-questions/fructose
And interesting read. I have to say though, science or no science, the way I’m feeling after only a few short weeks is proof enough for me.
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February 1st, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Hmmm I just read it now, did you read this part? -
http://www.nutritionaustralia.org/national/media-releases/response-david-gillespie-behalf-nut-net
I wonder if David responded back.
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February 1st, 2012 at 7:21 pm
I skimmed that too. A bit of Googling suggests David didn’t. But who wants to get into that catty crap? Beliefs in fructose aside, I didn’t much like the tone of that piece.
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February 1st, 2012 at 6:48 pm
Chris Forbes-Ewan wrote that piece… isn’t he affiliated in some way with Nestle? Name sounds familiar.
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February 1st, 2012 at 7:19 pm
Yeah, I believe he works for the government as a nutritionist but he’s been working closely with Nestle to develop a chocolate with a high melting point (so soldiers can eat chocolate in the dessert) or something like that…
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February 1st, 2012 at 10:10 pm
Anyone like myself with fructose malabpsorption will definately confirm that it is poison!
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Loved the webinar, thank you!
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Hey Sarah,
Loved the webinar! I missed it the other night but managed to watch it today. Its a great thing you’re doing so keep up the awesome work!
I just have a quick question: I noticed in the webinar you mentioned that 100mL of something is different to 100g of something when measuring the amount of sugar included in that product. I think you said if you’re looking at mL, you have to times the amount of sugar by two or three. Is this right? So for example, 2g of sugar in 100mL would really be more like 5-6g??
Thanks again and can’t wait for the next webinar!
JB
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Hi Sarah,
Unfortunately over here a lot of the sites automatically go into Japanese and wont switch back to English, which is what happened with U-stream, so I wasn’t able to log in and ask questions. And i do have one kinda important one! Im a recent Paleo convert, hence have been eating A LOT of coconut products, and am confused about the information i have found regarding fructose content in coconut milk, butter, shredded etc… i know coconut oil is completely fructose- free, but the rest..?? As well as being a poison like all of us know, I also have fructose malabsorption so have to be extra careful.. Anything you’ve found would be awesome help!
The webinar was fabulous! I watched all the way from over here in Japan, and got lots of useful information
Also as a side note, just wanted to say I have only recently come across your blog, and have spent many hours in the past weeks going through all your past posts, and have been so inspired by the information i am finding! I am a 22 year old dancer who has certainly not had the most healthy lifestyle to date, but as most of us do in our adolescent years, i thought i was invincible and that my body could take it, and i would still be able to kick my face and jump around for many hours of the day like my dancing career requires. As it turns out, Im not a superhero, and my past has caught up with me in the form of injuries, depression and weight gain.. I can no longer stand for too long because of back pain, and all my muscles are so inflamed anyone that tries to give me a massage comments they have never felt anything like it. I had not been able to make sense of why all of a sudden my body was completely turning on me, and it had never occurred to me that my eating habits and injuries could be related… until i started researching nutrition, everything clicked into place, and well the rest is history. unfortunately it is too late for now, and i am forcing myself to take an early hiatus from dancing when i return to melbourne after completing this Japan gig, in late March. Completely shattered by this it has been hard for me to stay positive, but finding sites like yours, and hearing how you have overcome so much hardship, and downright shit things that have happened to you, by committing to leading a better life, and being the best that you can be, has made me realise that everything is going to be fine, and i have every hope of returning to full health and my career if i just choose to live well. I’m turning my life around for the better, and am so excited about it! Almond butter & herbal teas are now my favourite snacks, I go crazy ordering organic products online, I now choose to stay in, read a book instead of going out drinking, and have started my own blog to document my journey to better health. So in a way, you could say you have become my mentor- even though i haven’t met you! So thankyou. so much
And i look forward to continuing to reading all the ways you continue to make your life better, and sweeter 
With gratitude, Beth x
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February 1st, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Hi Beth,
Just wanted to reply as I’m 22 as well and am also coming to the rather sudden understanding that my body will NOT just put up with my careless treatment.
I’ve developed food chemical intolerances and I think its probably all the sugar I’ve taken in throughout my life. Which then makes it harder to exclude sugar on top of the other things I need to cut out in my diet (herbs and spices and tea, most veg, coconut products…).
I agree that it is so wonderful to have the information Sarah shares here, but you also touched on commitment and I find that to be so difficult in my own life. I love reading everyones comments, so thanks to all.
I’d love the link to your blog, Beth
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February 1st, 2012 at 6:46 pm
I feel your pain. I have salicylate, amine, fructose and wheat intolerance. It makes it hard to cut out sugar because my diet is so restricted to start with
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February 1st, 2012 at 7:17 pm
I’d love to hear about your amine intolerance (symptoms, what foods and amounts and how and who actually discovered it – sorry, that doesn’t more like an interrogation, doesn’t it?). I’ve been sick for more than a year and am convinced it’s amine intolerance. After about a dozen blood tests, an ultrasound, countless doctors visits, and an expensive and unhelpful trip to a gastroenterologist, it’s taken a friend to send me information on amine intolerance for me to figure out that’s what might actually be making me sick. Hence me wanting to know how it was discovered – because no one seems to want to help me!
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:01 am
Marnie, I discovered my salicylate sensitivity purely by accident, when doing an elimination diet to test for gluten intolerance.
Mine was the RPAH elimination diet supervised by a dietician, which is what you need to do to figure out if you have an amine problem
Here is a factsheet on amines from the Food Intolerance Network, the whole site is a wonderful resource http://fedup.com.au/factsheets/additive-and-natural-chemical-factsheets/amines
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February 2nd, 2012 at 9:20 am
Marnie,
Like you I went between gastroentorologists, GP’s, natropaths, etc for about 2 years and had so many wrong diagnosis. I finally was referred to a dietitian, Hilary Hoevenaars at the Ocean Grove health centre who thought it might be food intolerance and like Brittany, I followed the RPAH elimination diet. After about 1-2 months on the full, strict diet I noticed changes and am now completely back to normal. I just have to follow my diet regime and watch what I eat all the time.
If you’re nowhere near ocean grove, you could call around dietitian offices and ask if they specialize in food intolerance.
February 2nd, 2012 at 10:11 am
oh and in terms of symptoms/foods. Amine rich foods are listed in the book by RPAH, including cheeses, bananas, pork, ham and many other things. A lot of amine foods cross over with salicylates as well. Symptoms were mostly bowel issues; stomach ache, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, etc
Hi Sarah,
I just watched your video. I agree with pretty much everything you said perhaps with the exception of the processed meats. From a sugar viewpoint they may be ok but I encourage my clients to keep them to an occassional food because of the additives, preservatives, salt content etc. If they want to eat meat, the less processing the better I reckon. eg chicken breast/thigh and cold roast meat or similar.
cheers
Kaye
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February 1st, 2012 at 7:17 pm
I thought that about the deli meats too.
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Loved the webinar Sarah, thanks so much for all those new and interesting insights!
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I devised this grain-free + sugar-free pancake recipe today and thought I might share:
3/4 cup buckwheat flour
1 T coconut flour
2 t baking powder
1 T xylitol
200mL natural yoghurt
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
2 t vanilla essence
Sift the dry ingredients into a large bowl. Add the xylitol (you could use stevia or rice syrup). Whisk the eggs with the wet ingredients in a jug, then add to the dry ingredients. Whisk into a thick batter and fry in batches.
You could replace the milk with a nut milk or coconut milk, and the yoghurt with buttermilk or just more milk of your choosing.
Cheers
A
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February 1st, 2012 at 8:49 pm
Amber, you’re my hero right about now. I was just thinking about whipping up a sugar free pancake recipe. I don’t eat eggs and there’s only so much toast, cereal and baked beans a gal can handle…
Question: I’ve never used xylitol. Is it liquid or powder/granule?
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I am unable to watch ustream – pourquoi?
It just wont play…poo I was looking forward to it.
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Xylitol looks just like caster sugar: white with fine granules/crystals. It’s much more expensive than sugar (of course), so I use it sparingly, but it is excellent for baking. You can use it 1:1 in any recipe. The only thing it can’t do that sugar does is caramelise.
I’ve been satisfied in my research so far that xylitol is a safe sugar replacement.
Hope this helps!
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February 1st, 2012 at 9:45 pm
Thanks. I’m a bit of a baker so that’s very helpful.
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Thanks Sarah for the webinar and thanks for trying to find out about the whole coconut fructose thingy. Have you heard of Sue Shepherd? She’s in Melbourne and runs Shepherds Works Nutrition and she knows all about fructose intolerance and is linked up with a team at Box Hill Hospital that are researching it. I’m sure if you contacted her she might be willing to share what she knows. I saw one of her nutritionists when I was first diagnosed but I know since then newer research has come out. Just a thought.
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February 2nd, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Yes definately worth contacting – from the info I’ve read she’s very giving. I think she’s won awards for her research. It was through the simple hydrogen tests her clinic does that I was diagnosed with FM. Has published a number of cookbooks too – Irrestibles for the Irritable (great name huh?)
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Ladies and gents, I just discovered a super yummy desert – natural yoghurt with coconut oil (mixed well as soon as you pour it in) and cinnamon. The coconut oil goes hard (because of the cold yoghurt solidifies the oil) and is like all these little crunchy, sweet treats through the yoghurt. And so filling. I only had a few spoonfuls and I’m absolutely stuffed.
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February 2nd, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Yum..just had some. Thanks for the idea, was needing a ill something!
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February 19th, 2012 at 10:33 am
Thanks Marnie, will def try that dish. Love your posts.
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Hi, trying to watch the webinar but says it’s offline/ not available. Am I doing something wrong or clicking on the wrong spot to view it??
Cheers
Sandy
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Hi Sarah,
Just watched your video – so informative and very helpful! Thank you so much for taking the time to post it
Love, Lauren xxx
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Has anyone tried NuNaturals stevia? I think i’m a bit addicted! I have about 5 drops whenever I have tea (about 7 times a day!) This brand is excellent though, anyone else tried it?
Sarah
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So I found out next week I’m going to have to help teach a macaron making class…I hope I have enough will power to resist!
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I’m also lactose intolerant, any ideas for what to do with yoghurt? I know there are lactose free yoghurts but I think they have heaps of sugar in them.
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February 3rd, 2012 at 8:58 pm
Hi Jane, I’m also lactose intolerant, but have recently discovered an awesome and delicious coconut milk yoghurt called CoYo. I can get it at my IGA, but it seems not all IGAs stock it. Go to their website for stockists. It’s got no gluten or sugar in it – you can get plain, berry or mango. Feels like a completely decedent treat on some berries. Brilliant.
Also, I tried the Tamar Valley No Sugar yoghurt (the strawberry one in my fridge has just 4.7g/100), which also has no gluten. I seem to tolerate this a lot better than yoghurts filled with sugar.
But it’s the coconut yoghurt that has my vote! Actually, you can make your own. I’[ve not tried this yet, but there are great instructions here:
http://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/2009/04/25/homemade-coconut-milk-yogurt/
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February 3rd, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Thank you for that! Also thanks for this whole sugar journey, it’s been amazing!
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[...] hosted a webinar on Monday night, which I ended up missing because I was stuck in peak hour [...]
Hi guys, for those of you looking for vanilla powder, this is where I bought mine from http://professionalwhey.com.au/product/organic-vanilla-powder/
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I take pro-biotics . There is 11grams of sugar per 100grams. My naturopath has me taking them daily but now I am wondering if the benefits out-weigh any deficits.
I am prone to gut issues sometimes so I would be reluctant to stop….
Should I replace with something else?
-General advice would be great , I know you can’t give to many specifics not knowing my situation.
Thanks!
Hannah
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February 6th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Hannah,
You could speak to your naturopath to see if there might be a different one she/he would prescribe. However, I imagine you are taking significantly less than 100g per day so it may not be an issue for you. Definitely speak to your naturopath before stopping/switching to something else.
Best wishes,
Kaye
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February 6th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
Is the sugar in there for the purpose of being fed on by the probiotics? Cos if so, it would get eaten and not be a problem for you.
Also, as someone with serious gut problems myself, I’d definitely take the probiotics. Sure, its 11grams per 100grams, but how often do you eat 100grams of probiotics? I dont think its enough of an issue, I say worry about other things.
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HI yes i was just after some general advice re: pro-biotics… in regards to sugar. I know Sarah said she would address gut issues in relation to IQS so I will hang out for that ! Thanks for all the input I am not stressing just cuious! x
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Hi Sarah,
Do you have a written version of your webcast? As it is no good for me because I am very deaf now, (due to Menieres damaging one ear then 15 years later a tumor on the audio nerve of my good ear, so no nerve left now.) I can only hear a voice but can’t make out enough words to make any sense when listening to TV, radio, sound on computer and very often the telephone. I just thought there maybe info put out that is not in your posts.
Really enjoy all the info and everyone’s hints and experiences.
Cheers
Suzanne
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