We've gone SUGAR-FREE! tribe - Page 6

[odd-ducks]

Farmama, this doesn't address personal choice issues, but if family pressure is an issue would your conscience tolerate telling a big fat lie? (There are undoubtedly better ways of dealing with life, but lying often does the trick. And, it's so easy ). Could you say you've been diagnosed with gluten intolerance, or something? (In case candida isn't enough, that is). That covers a lot of the sugary/refined foods right there, and if you've got a 'legitimate' reason for avoiding certain foods, maybe your family will support you in your efforts?

(Of course, maybe your family will support you, regardless. Forgive me if I'm projecting here, as a few members of my family think I'm certifiable because of my 'whacked out' dietary choices. Not eat sugar??? Who doesn't eat sugar, for crying out loud?!)

[AdoptChina]

we can do dairy (obviously Logan is still unknown) and soy is ok too, although my 3 yr old refuses it (he is super picky and I think has some food texture issues)

a couple questions....do you just avoid pasta all together? What about muffins? (thats one way I can sneak fruits into DS lol)
Also, Im sooo sick of chicken and turkey--we dont eat much beef at all and have pork maybe 2-3 times a month....any good dinner alternatives?

[bright]

Originally Posted by AdoptChina

a couple questions....do you just avoid pasta all together?

Personally I use kamut pasta or spaghetti squash. Add a LOT of sauce, veggies, sometimes beans, and cheese to balance it out.

What about muffins? (thats one way I can sneak fruits into DS lol)

There is a sugar free baking section on www.allrecipes.com, and I have found a few that call for whole grain flour and applesauce or dates as sweeteners. My daughter loves these. I also have added a bit of hemp flour to increase the protein content.

Also, Im sooo sick of chicken and turkey--we dont eat much beef at all and have pork maybe 2-3 times a month....any good dinner alternatives?

There are lots of bean based dinners, like veggie chili, lentil tacos, etc. Or stirfry with veggies and tofu - we make a yummy sauce with garlic, ginger, onions, peanut butter and wheat free tamari sauce. Serve over brown rice and yum!!

[crunchyconmomma]

Originally Posted by odd-ducks

Farmama, this doesn't address personal choice issues, but if family pressure is an issue would your conscience tolerate telling a big fat lie? (There are undoubtedly better ways of dealing with life, but lying often does the trick. And, it's so easy ). Could you say you've been diagnosed with gluten intolerance, or something? (In case candida isn't enough, that is). That covers a lot of the sugary/refined foods right there, and if you've got a 'legitimate' reason for avoiding certain foods, maybe your family will support you in your efforts?

(Of course, maybe your family will support you, regardless. Forgive me if I'm projecting here, as a few members of my family think I'm certifiable because of my 'whacked out' dietary choices. Not eat sugar??? Who doesn't eat sugar, for crying out loud?!)

Yep! That's MY plan - lie, lie, back it up with a lie, deny it til the day you die.
I have an appointment on Monday with a doctor (ND) to get help with this and of course to lend credibility to the family that something is "wrong with me" that needs to be fixed with dietary restrictions.

I plan to tell the family that it is actually a medical condition because mine would say exactly what odd-ducks said "What?! No sugar?!! Who doesn't eat sugar?!?!?

Then my next step will be how to have the kids "diagnosed" in a few weeks. (And of course to figure out how to get that one to stick since they are too young and wouldn't choose to go along with this even if they WERE older now that they are junkies hooked on the goods: .....)

[farmama]

Thanks for the tip! I actually may get away with it, if i can avoid temptation, because dh has stopped drinking. So it will be more like, "What?! What are you talking about?! Have a drink!"

[dewlady]

i don't know what is different this time (i have given up sugar before), but it just feels right, not like a struggle at all...very peaceful.
I am also taking a break from wheat and will then incorporate some sprouted grain breads back in. i think... i am not sure yet, as i know that bread can act like a sugar on your body and i know that if i start with one type of bread it might be the beginning of the end for me. I also want to give the no sugar or wheat enough time to fell if the effects are worth it. i have heard 1 month is minimum? any advice?
i am also hoping that i will get more energy and loose the last 10-15 pounds that i are still lingering around from my 4 pregnancies in 7 years. I have managed to stay active all along, but would be really excited to "release" the last bit. (that is a really nice way of looking at it! (and I like the "" also )
it is wierd that this support helps so much, but it really does!

and by the way, you all can come to my house for dinner anyday!
i really do like to cook a lot. I fell like having less options also encourages me to make something real as there are not so many things to just grab.

what are peoples lines of what sweeteners are alowed? date sugar? maple syrup(real)? raw honey? stevia? agave? etc...

I have been saying no across the board but am curious on a long term basis.

[babygrant]

So I failed miserably! I made it 2 1/2 days and seriously wanted to gouge my eyes out because my head hurts so bad. When DH is on his 5 days off I will do it. That way he can tend to the kids while I lay in the bathtub in the dark.

Does anyone know if sugar can cause behaviour problems in a toddler?

[neveryoumindthere]

I'm here ...need support and ideas

was doing well for awhile but the cravings came back after a couple treats during our holiday (Eid-ul-Fitr) and now I'm *sneaking* and eating it! I'm trying to trace back and remember was I always sneaking it? I can totally now see the emotional/psychological link..i knew it was there but now it's so in my face. I'm hiding it and when I'm having a stressful time with the girls and need to 'escape' i'm going for the cupboards. what the hell?!?!

for me i want to do this for depression and healing the gut. after both dd's i have had MAJOR PPD, honestly to the level I think I slightly crossed the line to psychosis (no idea..that's how it felt)..right now, still struggling bad with depression and the associated lack of concentration, poor and declining memory, irritability etc. aaaagh making me nuts!

anyway wanted to ask you all, what about breads/dough? I like making pizza dough at home and it calls for 2tbsp of sugar for the yeast, how do i get around that?

also, what about packaged foods that dont list sugar as an ingredient but then in the nutritional info it says 1g sugar or whatever? I'm specifically asking because I saw some Gerber little sweet potato puffs for babies and it didnt list sugar at all but then it said x grams of sugar :

also, sorry last question, is whole wheat flour ok or does it give teh same effects as white??

thx in advance. I really need this to work. I'm so sick and tired of being sick and tired

[sphinxie]

For anyone having dieoff problems... if you take activated charcoal pills, that stuff absorbs the toxins that are being emitted by dying yeast, and should get over the horrible hangover-like symptoms, etc.

[PrairieBohemian]

Originally Posted by babygrant

Does anyone know if sugar can cause behaviour problems in a toddler?

hahahahahahaahahah--oh yes, babygrant! At least it does with my wild one! The thing is about sugar, it usually accompanied by all sorts of dyes and additives and if you are familiar with the Feingold program to treat ADHD, these are the first things eiliminated.

Just incase anyone was thinking me to be priestly, I am STILL mainpulating my son with sugar to get him to co-operate when we are in stores. I am so, so embarrased about my "lazy" and destructive parenting. Its just become so hard to shop on foot with a baby and a wildman non-verbal toddler. I am constantly being reprimanded by old people for my kid running around in stores as it is.

So I guess my next need for support will be getting my 2.5yr old off sugar. I NEVER planned to let my kids have sugar but when I saw what a great carrot it could be, I couldn't resist.

s to you babygrant. Look at these "failures" as practice runs. WHen the time is right, you too will be sugar-free!

[PrairieBohemian]

Originally Posted by neveryoumindthere

also, what about packaged foods that dont list sugar as an ingredient but then in the nutritional info it says 1g sugar or whatever? I'm specifically asking because I saw some Gerber little sweet potato puffs for babies and it didnt list sugar at all but then it said x grams of sugar : (

I think in this case the sugar is naturally occurring in the sweet potatoes but I can't be sure. I am actually wondering about natural flavor, I mean, what the bleep is that?

[PrairieBohemian]

Originally Posted by dewlady

what are peoples lines of what sweeteners are alowed? date sugar? maple syrup(real)? raw honey? stevia? agave? etc...

Well I have maple syrup and honey in the house. I sort of think that "the trees know and the bees know" how to keep their sweety things balanced. When I tried to go sugar-free in the past, I said this too and then one day drank, yes drank a whole bottle of maple syrup! It was a small bottle but still...

So clearly at that point I needed total abstention. Now I can have a little honey here and a little syrup there and am not worried about launching into a sugar binge.

The other night I dreamt I was eating a chocolate bar and woke up SO upset that I had blown it. Sure, I still get cravings now and then but it is combatted by eating something high fat.

One of the hardest things about being sugar-free is the diligence it requires. I used to pop things into my mouth and not even thing about it. Now I need to stop myself and actually think about what I am going to put into my body.

[bright]

Originally Posted by animus_silvae

I think in this case the sugar is naturally occurring in the sweet potatoes but I can't be sure. I am actually wondering about natural flavor, I mean, what the bleep is that?

Yes, the sugar is naturally occuring, unless you see some form of sugar listed in the ingredients (and there are lots! of forms of sugar so it is possible that there is sugar).

About natural flavour, I have no idea either.

[crunchyconmomma]

I LOVE THIS THREAD. In the four+ years that I have been at MDC, I think this is the first one that I have been so hooked on that I read EVERY word of EVERY post and don't just skim. It's also the first one that seems so genuine and supportive and there doesn't appear to be ANY of the usual competitiveness that often comes out in the other threads.

sphinxie: activated charcoal, huh? i'm gonna google some info right now! will it help with any detox or just for yeastie beastie die-off? seems like it should help with the other stuff, but i don't want to get my hopes up.

animus, i think exactly like you do. i never wanted to do anything so horrible with my kids and oh!! the stinking regret. of having gotten them hooked on sugar out of my laziness and neglect of self-discipline.
and yes those nasty looks and comments people feel authoritative enough to dare utter to me!: those get under my skin like nothing else! GRRRR......

but i also know that the more strict i am, (especially if it's all just to get the approval of the blue-haired set) the more wild and aggressive my kids act. and that's been proven repeatedly in pyschological research - with or without sugar they are more out of control the more control we try to lay down.

but i also know that sugar elimination will help me parent more true to a genuine nature and less from the activity of the "drug" and the effects of those damn yeasties.

[crunchyconmomma]

and babygrant - think of it just like if you were quitting anything else - 2 days without it is 2 SAYS WITHOUT! your body is better for 2 days than no days. still a victory....and once again that favorite old adage:
"I haven't failed. I have learned 100 ways not to do something!"

[Anna06]

Hey, you guys are so cool. I agree with pp crunchyconmama. I'm so lovin this thread.

I'm still battling the headache's - tho - I can't quit sugar and diet soda all at the same time.

Tell us more about activated charcoal sphinxie. I feel I need something. How do you know if you have yeast problems? TIA

Gotta go p/u a kid right now. I'll be back.

[sphinxie]

Originally Posted by crunchyconmomma

sphinxie: activated charcoal, huh? i'm gonna google some info right now! will it help with any detox or just for yeastie beastie die-off? seems like it should help with the other stuff, but i don't want to get my hopes up.

Actually I just back from an appt with my ND, she told me to take activated charcoal when traveling in India any time I get food poisoning...

It helps with any kind of detox, but my understanding is that it doesn't provoke detox, but if you're already detoxing anyway it absorbs toxins and helps you feel a heck of a lot better.

Originally Posted by Anna06

Tell us more about activated charcoal sphinxie. I feel I need something. How do you know if you have yeast problems? TIA

If your headaches are from toxins, like a hangover sorta, then charcoal should help. If it's just from deprivaction of an addictive substance, I'm not sure... maybe, you can always try it.

As far as how you know if you have yeast problems... other people should be able to answer this better than me. For me it was pretty straightforward cause I had chronic YIs and occasionally oral thrush. But yeast can be systemic and then cause lots of seemingly unrelated problems here and there in your body. If you've taken antibiotics and/or a fair bit of NSAIDs (aspirin, tylonol, etc) your gut flora is probably imbalanced and that usually results in yeast overgrowth. Because these & a high sugar diet are so common, a lot of people have excess yeast to some degree. The basic defense against yeast is to take probiotics (I would recommend getting it both from yogurt and supplements) and cut out or cut down on sugar and sugar-like foods.

[saratc]

Originally Posted by sphinxie

It helps with any kind of detox, but my understanding is that it doesn't provoke detox, but if you're already detoxing anyway it absorbs toxins and helps you feel a heck of a lot better.

A couple of other things you can also take that will absorb toxins -- chlorella and bentonite clay. The chlorella does better with heavy metal toxins, but it's a very good whole supplement that provides a lot of good nutrients. Bentonite clay is a sterilized naturally occuring clay that has a huge amount of surface area and absorbs a lot of toxins. It helped greatly when DH and I were having detox reactions from kombucha.

Originally Posted by neveryoumindthere

anyway wanted to ask you all, what about breads/dough? I like making pizza dough at home and it calls for 2tbsp of sugar for the yeast, how do i get around that?

I use honey in my doughs. And I'm using only whole grain doughs. Most of the sugar is for feeding the yeast anyways so that the bread will rise.

what are peoples lines of what sweeteners are alowed? date sugar? maple syrup(real)? raw honey? stevia? agave? etc...

Based on what I'm putting it in, I'm using raw, unfiltered honey, stevia, agave nectar, maple syrup, molasses, and sucanat/rapadura.

[Rachel J.]

Xylitol, anyone?

I'm going sugar-free (anytime now ) because of candida issues and am wondering if anyone has used xylitol as a sweetner and how you liked it. I cut all sugar except for one/two servings of fruit/day during my pregnancy but ended up sliding back into old habits after I had my baby. Now my candida symptoms have come back with a vengence and I have even less will power, time and energy to watch what I eat (I'm also going on a candida-free diet so I'm restricting a lot more than just sugar but that's the critical element for me). I've also read that there are different origins of xylitol (corn vs. birch tree) and the birch is better tasting. Anyone have any experience with that?

[Rachel J.]

Originally Posted by Anna06

Tell us more about activated charcoal sphinxie. I feel I need something. How do you know if you have yeast problems?

If you look around the internet at candida-related sites you'll find lots of different lists of symptoms. They can be obvious like vaginal yeast infections, yeasty diaper rash or other rash, thrush or seemingly, on the surface, unrelated like depression, cold feet, difficulty sleeping. Personally, I knew I had a problem because I kept developing athlete's foot and it was really tough to treat. I also developed thrush since I've started nursing and after looking at some lists I've realized that my cold feet, itchy and flaky scalp, dry and irritated eyes, excema, gassiness (TIA, I know), fatigue and some other symptoms I can't recall right now may all be related to candida.

Here are a couple links:
Candida checklist http://cassia.org/candida.htm
http://candidapage.com/cccomp.shtml