Sugar-Free-September starts tomorrow! I can hardly believe it has been two years since I broke my addiction to refined sugar. Doing this challenge was life changing for me. If you are interested in reading about my sugar addiction, my story is below. Pinkfarm hopes you will join us in this challenge! If you haven’t already signed up, go to Live it. Do it’s Facebook page and jump on board!
I was a sugar addict. For as long as I can remember, lollies, chocolate and all things sweet had been part of my life. I thought about sugar every day and rarely went without my ‘hit’.
My sugar fog has finally lifted. I am able to see clearly now and when I reflect back I can see how real my sugar addiction was and the hold that it had over me. This is my journey of awareness and how this brought so much positive change to my life.
Before my son D was born, I had been on a learning journey about real food, cultured food and traditional food but still couldn’t take the sugary treats out of my life. I was eating nutritious meals but also consuming Green & Black’s Organic chocolate almost every day, especially after lunch, occasional treats at a café and dessert if I was out for dinner. I was one of those people who couldn’t stop at just one square of chocolate… I had to eat the lot. But, was it really that bad?
It was that bad. My sugar consumption began to effect my son. When D was 1, he began to have mysterious skin rashes, which I soon realised were exacerbated by the amount of sugar I was feeding him through my breast milk. I tried to quit sugar, but I think I was still in some kind of sugar fog denial.
My first step to making a very real and lasting lifestyle change to cutting down on sugar came when Farmer and I decided to take part in ‘Sugar Free September’. It seemed like a fun challenge to do with a friend, one that also seemed simple enough… remove all refined sugars from your diet – natural sugars allowed. Phew!
Each day of sugar-free September was not as difficult as I thought. I just replaced my sugar cravings with lots more maple syrup. Simple! At the time I don’t think I realised I was just feeding my sugar addiction with a different form of sugar BUT what I was able to do though, was break a strong habit I had created around the refined sugar consumption. Eating chocolate after lunch. I switched this to a homemade naturally sweetened treat. I was taking tiny steps and little did I realise the chemical addiction to the refined sugar was beginning to break.
When Sugar Free September was over I was feeing so great that I decided to continue to keep refined sugar out of my life. I had changed some habits and I was on the right track. At this time I had also decided to remove grains from my diet. I did this as part of an ‘experiment’ with my trainer (and friend) at my gym. This experiment was novel and I was interested to see the results. I felt amazing. I had a life energy that I had never experienced before.
My grain and refined sugar free journey continued and I also switched to a more nutrient dense breakfast consisting of protein and fat, no sugar in any form. The Royal Breakfast was born. In doing this I no longer looked for a snack at 10am and I certainly wasn’t craving sugar like I used to. Was that even possible?
The book, ‘Deep Nutrition‘ by Cate Shanahan completely shocked my system as I learned at a deeper level about epigenetics and sugar’s effects in the body on a cellular level. I also reread ‘Sweet Poison‘ to help understand more about the effects fructose has in the body. My knowledge was growing and so too was my awareness around how things were changing for me. I was more balanced in my moods, not experiencing sugar lows and not constantly obsessing about my next sugar ‘hit’; I no longer had any PMS or PMT; I felt focused and alert, I wasn’t tired during the day, my skin wasn’t as dry, my eyes were brighter and I felt so happy! The blinds were opening and I was actually able to see out past the fog.
Although I was steadily making changes and I could see positive improvements in the way I felt, I was cheating. Each day when I ordered my cappuccino I savoured every sprinkling of the shaved chocolate on the top. I found myself going from enjoying one regular cappuccino each day to two or three, and it was mainly the sprinkling of chocolate that I was longing for!
Thankfully I was regularly meeting with two friends in Sydney to read food related books and talk openly about how our food journeys were going. We talked about struggles and any food goals we had. I was able to admit my lingering sugar addiction and they suggested making the switch to a latte. This may not seem like a big deal, but taking this ½ teaspoon of shaved chocolate, essentially refined sugar, out of my diet made all the difference. My connection to refined sugar was finally broken.
My reduction in grain-based carbohydrates continued as did my increase of healthy fats and I found it helped my blood sugar levels stay stable so I wasn’t finding myself in situations where I was craving sugar. It was soon the Christmas season and glorious tropical fruits were in abundance. My intake of fruit also decreased, as I was often so satisfied after breakfast, lunch and dinner that I didn’t have any room left for much fruit!
Amanda and her son
As I reflect on my relationship with sugar now, I want to yell from the roof tops, ‘If I can cut down on sugar and break the addition, ANYONE CAN!’ I believe that by taking small steps on this journey and cutting down in stages, it becomes a lifestyle change that is imprinted, rather than a diet or detox that we are hoping can come to an end. I never feel I am depriving myself. Ever.
If sugar really is as addictive as cocaine, it makes sense that you would wean off, rather than go cold turkey. I believe the natural sugars I allowed myself to consume helped break the strong hold refined sugar had over me. Over time, I now don’t need the natural sugars as much. Yes, I still love sweet things, but it is a different kind of sweet. Cherries taste incredibly sweet, strawberries taste like a heavenly treat. My taste buds are no longer dulled from refined sugar and I am able to taste the true sweetness found in nature. I can taste sugar in whole raw milk and the sweetness in a raw carrot. When I do bake a treat with natural sugars like maple syrup or coconut sugar, I can cut down on the amount quite considerably as a little now satisfies.
Staying on track was more than just will power or discipline for me. Making a firm decision to cut back, understanding what sugar does to the body and having an awareness of my own sugar consumption was important. But I believe there were 3 key factors that helped me tackle my sugar addiction and remain on a path that will be refined sugar free….
1. I have surrounded myself with friends who I can be open and honest with. I share my journey without fear of being judged and ensure that I am completely honest about everything. My friendship with Farmer and journey with Pinkfarm has been pivotal in keeping me on track.
2. I removed all refined sugar in every single form. Yes, I initially replaced it with more natural sugars, but refined sugars in every form had to go. Refined sugars are toxic and deplete the body of essential vitamins and minerals. They also have a different effect on brain chemistry than natural sugars. I have no desire at all to eat refined sugar.
3. Three major dietary changes:
- Including more fat – this ensures that I am continually feeling satiated and sustained and no longer crave sweet things. If I do, something small and naturally sweetened always satisfies.
- Start the day with a Royal Breakfast – this sets my food switch for the day and satisfies me in a way that I am not even thinking about food, let alone sugar.
- Limit most grains – this has helped me not constantly crave carbohydrates. Of course I get carbohydrates from vegetables and fruit, but by limiting grains I do not have the cravings for sweet things.
Right now I am in the place I want to be, although being the person that I am, I always see room for improvement. Some weeks natural sweeteners can creep in a little more than I’d like but I won’t beat myself up about it. I am out of the fog and can finally see clearly.
