Did you get rid of all white flour products when you stopped sugar?  I am thinking about getting rid of sugar all together, but I’m afraid I will binge on other “white” things and stuff, so I’m thinking about eliminating it all, but that is hard also.

Ahhhhhhh!!!  I know.  I know. I know.  You’re so right.  It is hard.  No, I didn’t get rid of all white flour products when I gave up refined sugar.  This was the right choice for me.  I think it would of been too hard and I might have gotten discouraged given up.  Although, I have a feeling that my choice to keep other refined foods in my diet contributed to my depression.  And I know that’s why I didn’t lose weight when I stopped eating refined sugar, I made up for it with piles of nachos.  About 5 months after giving up refined sugar, when I decided to train for my competition, I stopped eating the other refined “white” foods.  Now I rarely eat “white” products.  I save those for free meals.  Even then I have to mentally prepare to battle the cravings that will come afterwards but overall it works for me.

And did you replace anything with natural sweeteners like xylitol or agave?

Yes, I do use natural sweeteners.  I couldn’t give up the sweet taste forever.  I have to be really careful though.  I’ve gone overboard on agave nectar and honey a few times.  But I’ve found that I’m waaaaaay less likely to binge on these things than I am peanut m&m’s or other refined treats.  Not sure why.  Probably because they don’t taste as good.  I think in the beginning it’s better to eliminate it all.  After you’ve built up some CONFIDENCE in your ability to resist a binge and you’ve gone a few months without it you may want to try using these products in CONTROLLED amounts.   I always measure agave with a spoon.  I know for me once I’ve been binge-free for a while I don’t want to mess it up my clean streak.

What do you drink? Do you have coffee? Or just tea?

I drink coffee and tea.  I drink my coffee black and have learned to love it that way.  I also drink many types of teas.  I love Jasmine Green Tea.  SOOO GOOD.   Sometimes I drink blueberry tea if I have a craving or I take a large mug of it to sip if I’m going to be somewhere where everyone is eating sugary junk.  As far as juices, I don’t drink them unless I juice them myself which is rare because I’m lazy.

What did you do with things like yogurt? Did you eat it plain?

Yogurt is a gray area.  Occasionally I’ll have a traditional yogurt cup.  But mostly, I eat plain yogurt with agave nectar and ground flax now.  Or I’ll use fruit, like in my Banana Nut “Sundae”.  If you are having a craving I certainly think yogurt is a better option.  There are lots of things about yogurt that are good for you.

What do you think about corn tortillas or tortilla chips?

YUMMY!!! Those are one of my BIGGEST temptations.  I eat them only for planned sane(free) meals.   It depends on your goals and your triggers.  If you just want to get off refined sugar and they don’t cause intense cravings then keep eating them.  If you want to get off sugar and lose weight then I’d say stay away for a few months.

Did you limit your children’s sugar when you gave it up?

Yes, I limit my children’s intake of sugar.  They have what are called “Sugar Saturdays”.  No sugar during the weeks unless it’s a special occasion like a class party.  I’m not going to be that mother.  Saturday comes and they can have as much as they want.  Which may sound crazy but it usually doesn’t turn out to be all that much  because we don’t keep any in the house.  Their dad usually takes them out for ice cream or buy them a special sweet treat.  Oh and they get to eat the “bank suckers” they’ve been saving all week. If Halloween just passed – forgeddaboutit – let the mayhem begin.

I hope this has been helpful.  If you are thinking about giving up sugar you may want to check out 10 Ways to Help Break a Sugar Addiction.  I know it may sound ridicously depressing and nearly impossible but trust me life without sugar is not that bad.  

I love hearing from you. Always feel free to email me with questions or to share your success story!

xoxo
j

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