For the past month, having to eliminate all forms of sugar has proven to be the hardest diet change. The irony is the fact that sugar is horrible for you. I took the liberty to read a book about the detriments of sugar -- Suicide by Sugar by Nancy Appleton (hey, what better time to read it). Eye opener! I don't know if what she's claiming is 100% accurate or if she's twisting facts around, but her ultimate point is one that cannot be escaped: if we know that "too much" sugar makes us feel sick and rots our teeth, how much more damage is being done to the unseen world of the body within?
There are medical websites which claim similar arguments to Appleton's. A few of them are:
-Sugar causes hyperactivity, anxiety, inability to concentrate, and irritably
-Sugar throws the body's chemistry off balance
-Sugar causes (or influences) a wide array of illnesses, cancers, and various diseases
-Sugar suppresses the immune system
-People who abstain from sugar are very healthy
So, even while reading this book and seeing its point, I still want it! (I guess it is that addictive). I've just recently been able to play with natural sweeteners (agave, maple syrup, honey, etc.) a little. And I mean a little. Some days cookies and brownies and chocolate seem far, far away... I haven't decided whether I want to stay away from sugar as much as possible, have it moderately, or focus on using natural sweeteners (which have mixed receptions of being good and bad for you)... I'll keep you updated on this change, dear blogosphere. It is a decision that must be well thought out. And sugar is so good...and everywhere...and it's good...and fun to make...and...yeah.
I am still finding it hard to find snacks that aren't hummus based, but here are some basic sugar-free meals:
-Rice spaghetti (meat with citric acid free spaghetti sauce)
-Chicken dishes (such as marinating it in ginger and lemon, or sprinkling oregano while sautéing)
-Salmon dishes
-Homemade soups (watch out for the broths, some have added sugar, even though it is a very little amount)
-Brown rice wraps with meat and some thinly sliced veggies
-A lot of recipes in Gluten-Free Italian cookbook are sugar free (or very low in sugar)
After the sugar cravings lessened (somewhat) and realigned my thinking process of cooking (once again), my meals still have great flavor :)
Sad that you're missing sugar, but glad to hear that you are doing well diet-wise and finding alternatives. I have, however, heard some negative things about agave syrup, that it isn't much different than HF corn syrup. Not sure how much you've researched it. Miss you!
ReplyDeleteoh, and what about potatoes? Are they off limits also? Might be a good snack, homemade oven fries are delicious.
ReplyDeleteMiss you too! And our kitchen times. Yeah, I've heard agave is highly chemically processed and may lead to various medical conditions. I am finding, though, that 100% maple syrup agrees with me -- so far :)
ReplyDeleteI've had a lot of potatoes, but alas, they are not really filling for me.
My chiropractor agrees 100% about sugar. He says "if you want to get sick, eat sugar." We see him instead of a "real" doctor and find ourselves MUCH healthier.
ReplyDeleteso that cake in the pic? Just a pic of a craving? or a real something you made with maple sugar? You should post some recipees!!
Leah -- yeah, ND's and chiropractors are WAY better than doctors. The cake actually was something with a lot of sugar that I made a few months ago. So good, yet, destructive! But I'm allowed to have a little sugar content now :), so that helps -- esp. with wanting chocolate. I am definitely leaning toward maple syrup, though it's still a learning curve working only with natural sugars...I have to remind myself that it was the same way with wheat and now GF is no problem. Recipes will be posted soon!
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