Stop SUGAR Support Thread

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  • JunieMay
    JunieMay Member Posts: 3
    edited June 2011

    When my son, now 17, was just a baby I read Sugar Blues and went on a radical anti sugar diet for us all, much to my husband's dismay.  I purged all of my cupboards of anything with processed sugar, flour, white rice, the whole nine yards.  For 5 years I kept my son sugar free, breast fed him the first 2+ years, introducing whole foods along the way.  After that I was in and out with it.  It is a very difficult substance to get out of our lives it is so pervasive in our food system, it is in just about every thing on the shelves.

    Anyway, I find when I really set my mind to it I can feed my cravings with natural, whole fruits and vegetables.  It's hard to make that leap and it takes a few days to adjust but, once you switch the apple, peach or cherries for the pie your body starts craving more natural sugars.  I still battle it.

    BTW, I'm new to this board, just signed on today after listening to a woman whose been stage IV for 18 years.  I've been stage 14 for 4.  I'll post an intro shortly.  Is that done here? 

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited June 2011

    Great article! Thanks for sending.  My juicer instructions say to save the fiber (in most cases) and use it in various dishes or for making soup. Haven't tried it yet though---

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited June 2011

    Thanks for the link, LuvRVing; it was easy to read and informational.

    Prior to my bc dx, I was something of a sugar junky.  I would treat myself to spoonfus of ready-made cake frosting from the store.  Eat a whole sleeve of Thin Mint cookies at one time. Several bowls of ice cream in one sitting.  I still ate and loved 'real' food, but sugary treasts and stuff with high fructose corn syrup were definitely mainstays of my diet. A lot of times it was out of laziness, just easy to reach for those Hostess cupcakes than make a bowl of brown rice.

    I feel better when I don't eat the junk, less bloated.  It's definitiely a lifestyle change.  Sometimes, dark chocolate raisinettes satisfy my sweet tooth.  Have been to numerous graduation parties lately and will try a spoonful or taste of some of the sweet stuff but have managed to cut back at home.

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  • Cyborg
    Cyborg Member Posts: 848
    edited June 2011

    I love this thread. It's like a daily mediation for me. I am not eating meat, dairy or sugar and no soy. I eat lots of beans and grain together. I do break down with the sugar now and then but it's less and less as I read this thread.

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  • annegiles8641
    annegiles8641 Member Posts: 3
    edited June 2011

    Hi, just wanted to add Agave Syrup is all natural and has lowest glycemic index of all sweeteners. I love it in everything. Haven't looked for recipes though...

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited June 2011

    I have been reading daily but not checking in so much as there is too much going on right now.

    I am down 13.5 lbs since the end of April which I finally made the point to eat healthy and try to eliminate as much sugar as possible from my diet.  I am hoping this year when I go to the TaTa Sisterhood Reunion #3 that I will feel good about myself to actually put on a bathing suit and get in the pool.  I avoided the pool the last get togethers.

    I am not bloated like I was before and I do feel better.  It was such a drastic change in my typical diet and because of determination I am able to do it.  I still want the chocolate, etc. but before I would easily eat 1/2 lb a day of chocolate.  Now instead I eat the Jello brand 60 calories chocolate pudding to satisfy that craving.

    It is great to hear about all of the different products that ya'll are mentioning.

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited June 2011

    Way to go Jancie!  I'm right behind you at 11.5 pounds lost to date :)

    If you can limit yourself, its actually healthy to have a square of dark chocolate (but just a square) on occasion.

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  • ebann
    ebann Member Posts: 3,026
    edited June 2011

    WTG Jancie I have lost 15 pds so far. I was amazed, my Dr was so happy. I have been doing the Meditterarean Diet. I can eat everything. No sugar though and processed foods. There is a lot of choices though. All kinds of menus and information about it online. I will not know my weight for awhile cause of being on the walker. I pray I will be out of it soon. I tend to heal fast. True blessing from God. Everyone sounds llke they are doing great!

    Blessings to you all, Elizabeth

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited June 2011

    Lilah and Ebann - great news on the weight loss.  We can do it gals!!!  Sheer determination to get into a bathing suit this year without feeling FAT is what has me going.

    Lilah - are you kidding?  One small square of chocolate?  It is like eating chips - you can't just eat ONE!  You have to eat the freaking bag. Surprised

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited June 2011

    Ladies - great job on the weight loss.  Skipping the sugar and other white stuff really, really works!  I just bought a new Land's End bathing suit - size 6 petite!  I am proud of that little thing...lol.  I've shed 23 pounds in the last year. 

    Keep up the good work!  And Jancie, I can eat just one piece of chocolate.  Now, don't put a bowl of popcorn in front of me!

     Michelle

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited June 2011

    I've read other posts where people say theser drug make you gain weight. I've only gained 3 lbs, but that is one pound a week since beginning Aromasin so if this keeps up I'll have gained 52 pounds in one year! 

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  • mdg
    mdg Member Posts: 3,571
    edited June 2011

    Hey ladies.....sounds like we have some new gals joining in...welcome!  I have been doing OK some days but last week we had guests bring over vanilla icecream....aghh!!  I had to have some...a few times.  I have decided to buy an icecream maker so I can make some of my own - hormone free and low sugar (with Stevia or agave) and all fresh ingredients.  I refuse to NOT have anything good the rest of my life..I just have to find a way to make some that I can have with much less guilt.  

    I am proud to say I went to a BBQ yesterday with all bad food - brats, roasted pig and hotdogs.  I brought my own healthy food and even brought my black bean brownies for my dessert.  There was a whole dessert table there and I did not have ONE thing even as I fixed a little dessert plate for my son!  That is unheard of for me at a party with chocolate cake and brownies everywhere.....

    For snacks when I need sweets, these are my top picks:

    Apple slices

    Trader joe's 100 calorie dark chocolate bars (70% cocoa - they are not organic though)

    So Delicious Chocolate Coconut MIni's (like a coconute fudgcicle made with cocoa, coconut milk and agave)

    Black Bean Brownies (I make a huge batch and freeze them in small containers with a few bite size brownies in each container..that way I don't have a full tray of brownies sitting on my kitchen counter all week!)

    Whole Grain Banana Cinnamon Muffins (I bake two batches and freeze them...pull out a few at a time.  I make them with oats, wheat flour, honey, bananas...all organic stuff)

    Having things on hand does help.....I will have to let you know if I make a decent low sugar type ice cream when I get an ice cream maker!!!

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited June 2011

    Welcome to the newbies on this thread!

    I have heard that the AI's and Tamoxifen do cause weight gain - in fact it is a SE that is listed.

    I had gained my extra 30 lbs from chemo but going on Tamoxifen - I was so hoping that I would lose weight.  Instead I gained a little bit here and there.  I was even walking 1 hour each night and couldn't lose the weight - not even 1 lb of weight.

    It wasn't until I started watching my sugar intake that I actually lost weight and until I went out last night for dinner I was down 14 lbs in 6 weeks.  I did try to order properly but the problem was having 3 beers last night so I was up a pound this morning.

    It is hard to eliminate ALL sugar from your diet because even low fat foods have some sugar in them but the key is to monitor your sugar intake.  Fruit juices are some of the worst.  I looked at No Sugar Added Grapefruit juice and it still had 10 grams of sugar per serving in it.  Reading labels is the key - don't get swayed by "low fat" "reduced fat" products because there are some that have more sugar than the regular product.

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited June 2011

    congrats on all the weight loss.  I am down 25 lbs since last September.  I have cut out sugar, as much processed foods as I  can and eat alot of vegetables.  Today I stopped at the vegetable stand in town and bought some fresh peaches.  OMG that were to die for, melt in your mouth.  Ok I know it is natural sugar but hoping peaches have fiber in them. not sure but whatever it was worth it.

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited June 2011

    Hi JoyceK - I remember seeing you on some discussion threads last year.  I lived in Missouri but I am originally from Nashua and just moved to Salem.  I think we need a NH gals discussion thread!

    Michelle

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  • Valgirl
    Valgirl Member Posts: 187
    edited June 2011

    I lost 20plus pounds since September.  I have to attribute it to the stopping sugar and all refined white stuff.   I am on Arimidex and I am thinking it's helping me lose the weight.   I am a size 8 and have not been that in years.   I feel much better too.   I read the Anti Cancer way of Life by David Schrieber and his suggestions are what I am trying to follow.  We can eat chocolate - he suggests 2oz a day of the over 70% dark chocolate.  I mix some pieces with raw almonds and that is my daily snack.   Keep the suggestions coming.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited June 2011

    Valgal, that's AMAZING!!! Good for you!! I am so impressed by everyone's weight losses...also a little envious. I just can't seem to budge the scale, probably due to some of my 17 meds that I take a day....sigh. They probably all have sugar stuffing or something!

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  • mdg
    mdg Member Posts: 3,571
    edited June 2011

    I lost about 20 lbs after dx because of stress.  I have changed my diet to follow the Anti Cancer as best as I can and I feel like I eat all the time (I am always hungry).  I have gained back about 5lbs but have maintained the rest of the weight loss despite eating a lot.  I do still exercise 5 days a week faithfully...remember, exercise reduces recurrence risk by half.....do try to include exercise in your days ladies!  Diet and exercise are two of the few things you CAN control in BC while so many other things are out of your control.  Ok...I am putting my soap box away now..... :)

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited June 2011

    Joyce - yes, Nashua High Class of 1968.  There are several of us NH gals on the So what's for dinner? thread.  You may want to check it out.  Great bunch overall, and not too much BC talk, except for me...lol.

     MDG - I don't know much about the anti-cancer diet, I follow a modified Atkins maintenance diet.  What I do know is that I am not "always hungry" like some people say.  As a matter of fact, I'd say I am quite the opposite.  I eat about half of what I used to eat at a meal, and I only get hungry just before lunch.  I'll grab a piece of fruit or a couple of whole grain crackers with cheese.  Otherwise, I am usually quite satisfied at meals and I don't do a lot of snacking between meals.  But we're all different with different metabolisms.

    Michelle

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  • XmasDx
    XmasDx Member Posts: 225
    edited June 2011

    @Barbe - I'm jealous too and can't blame meds, just lack of exercise and the wrong diet for me... 20th college reunion in 4 1/2 months... I'd love to take of 20 lbs by then, we'll see... 

    Lately I've been making toooo many exceptions for sugary foods & summer ice cream.  

    I think I'm going to make a 2 week meal rotation of the things I am SUPPOSED to be eating daily (greens/kale, cauliflower, cabbage, flaxseed, tofu (2 hot bc topics I know),broccoli, sweet potatoes,EVOO, turmeric, onions & garlic, shitake mushrooms) and then at least I'll know I'm eating what I'm supposed to squeeze in.  This is basically from Robert Pendergrasts's book "Breast Cancer:  Reduce Your Risk with Foods You Love" - it is also in line with Anti Cancer and other books I have read.  

    Perhaps focusing on what I'm supposed to eat and all the green tea I need to squeeze in to the day will help me keep my mind of fast food and sweets... pizza, fries, ice cream, pasta... it's just so easy to grab!  It would also solve my "what's for dinner?" problem... if the family buys in.  I have pretty flexible eaters here at home, but that's allota kale.  :)

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited June 2011

    Joyce - you will not believe this...we lived on Temple St. (1965-66 or thereabouts) when I was in high school and the first Bob's Pizza was right across the street.  We would go over at the end of the night and Bob would give us free leftover pizza...LOL.  Talk about a small world!  We have been life-long customers, my kids and mom love Bob's Pizza, and we would go to the Hollis St. location almost every time we came here from Kansas City!  Bob's is our standard by which all pizza is measured! 

    We really have to get together!!!

    Michelle

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited June 2011

    They PRACTICE anaesthetic???????

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited June 2011

    Do they graduate when they get real good at it?

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited June 2011

    Joyce - my maiden name is Haven.  There's a family story that one of us would deliver pizza to tables at the Temple St. shop in exchange for free pizza!  I wonder if it was my sister, Mona.

    Michelle

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited June 2011

    I just love reunions.  this is way cool for Joyce and Michelle.

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited June 2011

    This is way cool!!!!!!  My kids and my hubby think it's really neat, too!

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited June 2011

    Ladies - here's another article from Science Blog discussing the merits of a low carb diet and its effect on cancer development in mice.

    http://scienceblog.com/45751/low-carbohydrate-high-protein-diets-may-reduce-both-tumor-growth-rates-and-cancer-risk/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+scienceblogrssfeed+%28Science+Blog%29

     More validation that giving up sugar is a good thing!

    Michelle

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited June 2011

    Barbe -- LOL

    Joyce and Michelle -- that is so cool that you found each other!

    Michelle -- GREAT article!  Thanks for sharing that.  Definitely fuels the commitment to this low-carb (low-sugar) lifestyle.

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  • supersally
    supersally Member Posts: 351
    edited June 2011
    Michelle, thanks for posting that article.  It is certainly more "food" for thought (pun intended) Wink
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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited June 2011

    Someone posted a link to these "lasagna cupcakes" and they are a very low carb, portion controlled version that looks very good.  Thought I'd share!

    http://www.cruftbox.com/blog/archives/001618.html

    Enjoy!

    Michelle

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