I've always thought that sugar was addicting. Let me be clear, I am NOT against consuming sugar. As I feel about life in general - everything in moderation.
But I was reading an article the other night out of National Geographic magazine about why we - as Americans - can't stop eating sugar. It's in almost everything we eat in this country, and the amount of it that we consume is astounding. I started reading the ingredient lists of common foods that I eat. Yep, you guessed it - all completely full of sugar. Just for fun, check some nutrition labels. You'll be shocked. I know I was.
So I got to thinking - how would I do giving it up for a week? I've tried this before, and I've failed. Then I found myself feeling like a slave to sugar. That might be a bit dramatic, of course, but long story short - I'm going to give it another go. Anyone else with me?
Here are my guidelines:
1) Can't eat anything with sugar listed as one of the first three ingredients. This includes corn syrup, since it's basically liquid sugar.
2) Natural sugars are ok: fruit and honey.
3) Since I'm not fasting from sugar for any religious, or deeper reasons, I'm allowing artificial sweeteners (please save the "you're poisoning yourself" speech. I've heard it 14,536 times already in my life.) I can't quite give up caffeine, and I'd have a really hard time drinking black unsweetened coffee. Ugh.
4) Workout supplements are exempt. I haven't looked at the nutrition labels of my protein or pre-workout supps, but I'd hope they wouldn't be full of sugar anyway.
So there you have it. If it's fresh produce, all is good. If it comes with a nutrition label and sugar or corn syrup is one of the first ingredients listed, it goes either back in the cupboard, or in the trash. This is kind of a big deal coming from the girl who has the biggest sweet tooth ever. AND the week of Halloween. (What am I thinking?)
What do you all think? Who wants to challenge themselves this week? I started when I woke up at 4:30 am this morning, but you can start whenever you want.
Aaaaaand, GO!
Keep me posted on your progress!
But I was reading an article the other night out of National Geographic magazine about why we - as Americans - can't stop eating sugar. It's in almost everything we eat in this country, and the amount of it that we consume is astounding. I started reading the ingredient lists of common foods that I eat. Yep, you guessed it - all completely full of sugar. Just for fun, check some nutrition labels. You'll be shocked. I know I was.
So I got to thinking - how would I do giving it up for a week? I've tried this before, and I've failed. Then I found myself feeling like a slave to sugar. That might be a bit dramatic, of course, but long story short - I'm going to give it another go. Anyone else with me?
Here are my guidelines:
1) Can't eat anything with sugar listed as one of the first three ingredients. This includes corn syrup, since it's basically liquid sugar.
2) Natural sugars are ok: fruit and honey.
3) Since I'm not fasting from sugar for any religious, or deeper reasons, I'm allowing artificial sweeteners (please save the "you're poisoning yourself" speech. I've heard it 14,536 times already in my life.) I can't quite give up caffeine, and I'd have a really hard time drinking black unsweetened coffee. Ugh.
4) Workout supplements are exempt. I haven't looked at the nutrition labels of my protein or pre-workout supps, but I'd hope they wouldn't be full of sugar anyway.
So there you have it. If it's fresh produce, all is good. If it comes with a nutrition label and sugar or corn syrup is one of the first ingredients listed, it goes either back in the cupboard, or in the trash. This is kind of a big deal coming from the girl who has the biggest sweet tooth ever. AND the week of Halloween. (What am I thinking?)
What do you all think? Who wants to challenge themselves this week? I started when I woke up at 4:30 am this morning, but you can start whenever you want.
Aaaaaand, GO!
Keep me posted on your progress!
hey! I found your family blog from my sisters facebook page b/c she posted the article why kids are not the center of my world. i loved it!! so of course i online stalked you and found your family blog and fitness blog. i love it!! i have a fitness blog too (crafts-n-fitness.blogspot.com) b/c i love posting my family pics and exercise stuff on my blog and instagram (rdevaughn4) i saw your post that you are cutting back your social media for Nov so i dont know if you will get this message or not. I'm going to be sugar free for all of November! my hubby and i started the whole 30 "diet" (i hate that word b/c its a lifestyle!) so i can see what dairy and grain issues i have. and of course to give up sugar! but i am taking my ARO pre workout drink so i'm glad you listed that on your exception list! ;-) hope to hear from you soon!! how are you doing with your no sugar right now??
ReplyDeleteHi, Rachel! Thanks for the comment! I'll definitely have to check out your blog - I love both crafts and fitness!
DeleteI cheated a bit with the sugar this past weekend, but generally speaking, I'm doing great. I think specifically defining my goal (no sugar as one of the 1st 3 ingredients) has made it much more easy to stick with. This way, I can't make excuses.
Right now, I'm working on losing fat so that my lean muscles that I'm busting butt to grow can peak out, and it may be all in my head, but I'm pretty sure I've seen a change in my physique since drastically reducing sugar.
Let's be accountability partners! :)
And I'm still blogging in November, just not on FB or IG.