Starting tonight, after I finish the last of my Sweetheart Box from Dozen Cupcakes, I am going to begin a truly scary experiment. I want to see if I can make it one week, perhaps even two, without consuming refined sugar.
I read once that our sugar addictions are far more powerful than even a heroin addiction, that my body might completely revolt if I try this. I did a preparatory sweep of the house (which means I consumed all the candy) and read all the ingredients on our non-candy things. I was shocked to discover how much refined sugar we have, and we make great efforts to eat healthfully. Heck, our hippie corn chips have refined cane juice in them! Even Corey's beloved Peanut Butter & Co products have been "newly improved" to include cane sugar--the ingredients used to be just peanuts and salt. Luckily I stopped using "regular" toothpaste, or I'd have to cut that out, too, what with the saccharine and all.
In order to make sure I survive, I wanted to ensure I could still eat desserts while I detox. Fruit and yogurt parfait, here I come. Honey and agave nectar are totally cool with me and I made a concession for cane syrup only so that I could eat the wheat crackers I bought to accompany my snack foods (cheese and hummus). But no ketchup. And no dark chocolate. That's what's killing me.
I can forgo all other things without difficulty. But dark chocolate? What will a day be like without eating a square of that?? I shudder to think, but will soon be able to report.
Why am I doing this? I was inspired by the Rookie Moms, who did something similar a few weeks ago. And, after a few weeks confined to my house eating junk food, I feel the need to cleanse my insides. I feel sluggish and gross and I know that my days spent staring angrily at the snow, consuming muffins and candy, are largely to blame.
So, for the next fortnight, I attempt to go where I have never gone, and that is a place without artificial sweetener, without refined sugar. Hopefully I will emerge refreshed and with sparkling teeth!
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9 comments:
So I shouldn't expect a repeat of the day you and I consumed an entire bag of Doritos ourselves in a matter of hours! I wish you luck!
totally just realized that lent begins tomorrow. this was pure coincidence, i assure you all.
jumping in front of a moving bus might be less painful:)
Lent never begins on a Tuesday! It's Wednesday...
clearly i am not a catholic
saccharine isn't sugar, but i know you use Tom's anyway
Why doesn't Lent ever begin on a Tuesday? And does it always begin on a Wednesday.
Katy-have you tried unsweetened chocolate? Doesn't taste that great but might satisfy a chocolate craving.
Last question: what is the difference between how refined sugar acts in your system versus honey or agave nectar?
It has to do with the gylcemic index, and which sugars are processed by your body at what rate into blood glucose. Typical "table sugar" sucrose is higher than other forms like lactose or fructose, and honey and agave are said to be lower on that index. This is why the term complex carbohydrates exist, because your blood glucose goes up faster if you eat a snickers bar v. carrots even though they both have sugar in them, but then there is also glycemic load, which is the amount of total carbs and their GI rate which is influenced by things like fats, fiber etc. Hope that helps.
Honey and Agave aren't SUPER low on the scale next to sugar, but are a bit lower and many people feel that their more "natural" state makes them "better". But when you start thinking about how you feel if you're hungry and you pop candy and then 30 mins later you'll kill someone for food, vs the same scenario with say a saltine with peanut butter on it, it will make sense...your body really does tell you things if you're listening.
this has been an episode of - hey, even though i don't practice anymore i still remember crap i learned when i became a dietitian
Wow! That was good. Thanks for the answer.
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