Sugarfree living, anyone?

[*LoveBugMama*]

So, I am going to try to give up candy, chocolate, chips and sugary treats for the month of June. (Hopefully longer, but trying to not scare myself too bad. ) Anyone here living sugarfree? I was hoping to get some recipes and tips about what to eat instead, when I normally would have reached for the chocolate or the potatochips.
And hopeflully someone also has some recipes for sugarfree treats like muffins etc? I will allow myself small amounts of honey/maple suryp or something like it if I need it in baking etc.



Ooh, maybe there`s a sugarfree tribe or something here, even?

[Sol_y_Paz]

I do the sugar free living for years on end because I don't care for sweets. Never really have either. I crave fried stuff as my bad thing. My husband has dental issues so he keeps his diet low sugar too. We eat really well and are never hungry. Natural sugars in fruit help cravings.

[Drummer's Wife]

Starting sat I am giving up sugar and most carbs for 6 weeks. I did buy some stevia I might use for coffee if it isn't too gross - b/c that's the only thing I'm really worried about. I love my coffee with tons of cream and sugar.

I don't have any recipes, but I'm sure there are a ton out there.

[Koalamom]

I gave up sugar years ago, but switched to maple syrup and honey. I guess that doesn't count, but I would love to join this thread trying to use less of those too.

I remember the first month without sugar was like going through some serious withdraws. I went crazy.
Now I feel free!

[HappilyEvrAfter]

I've been sugar free since Feb if you don't count the sugar bite I took on my birthday....I didn't even end up enjoying it because it tased ick to me.

If you stick it out past your withdrawl, you'll be amazed at what natural stuff really does taste sweet....fruit is much sweeter now.

[Thalia]

I no longer eat sugar or most sweetners (maple syrup, agave nectar, honey, concentrated fruit juice, etc) because it triggers my compulsive eating habit and because even the natural choices aren't very nutrient dense. About a week after I gave them up, I noticed I was much less hungry. My nutritionist said that this was due to my body adjusting its insulin levels and is normal.

I do eat fruit, including dried fruits, but I am careful to limit my portions. Every now and then I will have a soft drink sweetened with Stevia, but I'm considering giving that up as well. I don't use any artificial sweeteners.

When I feel like eating something really sweet these days, my favorite treat is a couple of medjool dates or a Larabar or Jocolat bar. The only sweet thing in those is dates. I also make some no-sugar added banana oatmeal cookies that are very tasty. They have natural sugar in them from bananas, raisins, and milk, but no sweeteners. I'll try and find the recipe for you.

Being sugar free really helps me stay sane about my eating. For me, it really needs to be black and white, all or nothing. It's too easy for me to rationalize way too much sugar otherwise. Mostly I don't miss it; fruit is so delicious that as long as you get a good variety of it you don't really feel like you are missing out. I do miss dark chocolate, though. The Jocolat bars help with that, but I do still miss having a square of dark chocolate now and then.

[Drummer's Wife]

I decided to give up my coffee (ahhhhh!) b/c I didn't get the right kind of stevia (I bought Truvia on accident). Anyhow, so I am now on day 4 with no sugar. Hoping I can stay with it for the full 6 weeks - and if I feel better w/o at that point, maybe I'll give up sugar all together.

[raksmama]

Once a year, I usually do a totally sugar free diet (even no fruit, more like an anti Candida cleanse diet). I did not do it this year and have been feeling bad about it. I usually do it in winter or early spring so I am not tempted by fresh fruit. I definitely will give up sweets this month but maybe not fruit...