Stop SUGAR Support Thread

This thread is a great idea. I feel so much better when I stop having sweets, but it's like an addiction that draws me back the minute the stress goes up. I used to do all kinds of good things for my health, but ever since surviving cancer, I've had this 'what's the difference' attitude that I've got to shake. I see so many people around me getting cancer that sometimes I feel like it's only a matter of time that my luck runs out, but that's all the more reason I should pay more attention to my health.

Whippetmom, I love the idea of juice in ramikens. I was making juice popsicles one summer.

BTW, did you all see this NY Times article by Gary Taubes, "Is Sugar Toxic?"

Is anyone besides me making green smoothies? They satisfy my sweet tooth while giving me lots of greens. My favorite is a small banana, half an apple, a cup of unsweetened almond milk, and a couple of handfuls of kale. I also add a scoop of Nanogreens powder. Tastes like a shake, so it feels like a treat. I'm saving up juice recipes from the Creative Health Institute, latest I've tried is a cored and quartered pear with some bean sprouts, some cut up broccoli, a few grapes, and ice cubes or water (they call it "Beanie Brew"). Surprisingly delicious and a nice alternative to salad.

Be patient Jancie -- you will get there!  Do you do any sort of cardio/workout?  That might help.  I know you ride (which itself is a workout) so maybe it's just a matter of being patient.

Jancie, I go by how my clothes fit too!  After cutting out sugar and eating tons of veggies, as well as juicing, I can now get into a pair of jeans that I couldn't button a couple of weeks ago.  So was surprised when at the onc's office that I hadn't lost ONE pound.  But then I remembered years ago when I started running I GAINED two pounds, but lost 2 dress sizes. So I know I've lost weight and won't obsess over what the scale says.

I have noticed my clothes are fitting looser than before.  The skirts that used to hit my waist are now hitting my hips so they actually look longer   Physically I feel so much better.  I have always watched the Biggest Loser - I am in awe of their discipline and how they have changed their lives but always sat there watching it in the comfort of my recliner with a real coke in hand! 

Losing this weight is also helping me emotionally.  I haven't really liked myself much these past two years and so been having difficulty being "nice" and accepting of my dh.  I became too critical but hey.....menopause rears its ugly head at times so I am not going to beat myself up over it.

Xmas -- LOL

I think those Atkins style diets are too restrictive.  And I AM a diabetic counting carbs... but I eat more carbs than those diets allow.  I think it's about moderation... but in my case controlling my carbs helps me to control my blood sugar.

I think the Atkins diet is restrictive at first.  But by the time you've rid yourself of the carb/sugar addiction and get to the maintenance phase, you can be at that 60-100 gram range and include a few whole grains and beans.  We talk about this on the WebMD diabetic board quite frequently.  Our medical consultant, from Tufts University, is a believer in restricting whole grains because most people will end up eating those whole grains with sugar, fat, or whatever.  He doesn't restrict fruit and feels the benefits outweigh the "cost" of the natural sugar carbs.  This is particularly true if you are trying to lose weight.

Personally, I can't see the benefit of juicing...for me, the chewing experience is part of the satisfaction of eating something.  So I never drink orange juice, but I will eat an orange.  Way more fiber, which is important.  The only "juice" I will have once in a while is a v-8, as a snack.  But at the end of the day, I'd rather crunch away at those veggies.

 Michelle

Has anyone tried sweetner called truvia.  I have and it has a texture and taste that is new to me.  I had a few issue with it.  It seems to not disolve like sugar.  Anyone come across some ways that I can get it to that point when I sprinkle it on my berries.  Any comments would be helpful.

 

Just got back from the BC cruise and managed to skip all sweets and deserts.In the dinningroom when everyone was indulging on the fancy deserts I nibbled on a cheese plate alternative.No problem getting into the gown I had purchased for my daughters wedding which is fast approaching.

What do you guys think of my diet:   Juicing veggies & fruits daily. One hard-boiled egg daily, 2 potatoes with a couple of broccoli florets or half a bell pepper or beans or rice with sauteed onions, celery and mushrooms in them for dinner. Oatmeal in the a.m. 3 slices of bread with low fat cheese, but no butter (throughout the day). Also no frozen dinners.  Am I getting enough protein without eating fish?. Don't eat meat at all.

 Since I run I need the carbs for energy, thus the 3 slices of bread. I would like to cut out the cheese, but love the taste. 

SR - that does not sound like enough protein to me. (in my opinion) Could you replace some of the bread with brown rice - that is a complete protein - or a fried egg/cheese on a slice of bread, or something else that has protein? Even whey protein powder -  I take it after I work out - it has 24 g protein in one scoop. I mix it with water and gulp it down and there's a quick/easy 24g protein in me!

Protein is SO important.  If you eat tofu, could you add a bit to your saute for dinner maybe? Or some seitan?

Just some thoughts.

Amy

SR - I agree, it seems you are a little low in the protein dept. 

There are many kinds of diets out there, and you can find pro's and con's on all of them.  At the end of the day, the best one is the one you can stick with to achieve your desired results. And as long as your energy levels are good, your lab results are where you and your doctor want them to be, and you feel healthy, then you are eating right "for you."

Michelle

Barbe - I have been told by various doctors and nutritionists (and one naturopath that specializes in cancer patients) that tofu and other items with soy in their 'natural form' (i.e. edamame) are fine - it is the processed soy; the soy oil, soy milk, soy powders, burgers, etc that are the no-nos.  Personally, I almost never eat tofu anymore and stay away from all the processed soy items completely. BUT if she has such a limited choice in source of proteins, I thought maybe it would be an option for her.

Paula - I tried Truvia in my coffee and found it had a bitter aftertaste.  On the other hand, it is being used by Tropicana for "Trop50" drinks like orange and lemonade.  Because they already have an acid bite, I find these drinks quite good. 

Michelle

Aspartame doesn't bother me.  I've been drinking Diet Coke since it was the new thing after Tab.  When they came out with Diet Coke sweetened with Splenda, I was all excited until I tasted it.  I actually prefer my Diet Coke with aspartame...weird, I know.  I use Splenda for my coffee and when I occasionally bake or sweeten something like strawberries to make a sauce.  As a diabetic, I accept artificial sweeteners are just part of my diet, especially with beverages.  I'd rather eat my calories and carbs than drink them!

Michelle