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Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 6:52 am
by assfly
My wife is going sugar free for January .

Yesterday was her first full day and she was complaining of feeling very lethargic. I just presumed she was feeling particularly lazy, but she seems to think it might be withdrawals.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 7:17 am
by Pat the Ex Mat
If you drop Carbs/Sugar, you'll feel like crap for anything from 2 days to 2 weeks.

Women tend to feel worse as they generally eat more Carbs than men anyway

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 9:28 am
by eldanielfire
Jim Lahey wrote:Gents, just finishing day 5 of going gluten and sugar free. Its actually been pretty easy so far surprisingly, no mad cravings yet.

However I have felt pretty lethargic and feeling more tired than normal. Is that my body working the shit out of the system and it adapting to its new energy sources? Hopefully it pisses off soon :thumbup:

Keep fighting the good fight men!

After a week or two I feel more energetic. I've just quit gluten, dairy and sugar and I'm feeling good after 2 very pure days. Though it's different for everybody, though make sure you drink LOTS of water.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 3:42 pm
by sorCrer
Day 2: Terrible headache all day.

Same as last year.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 3:59 pm
by irishrugbyua
sorCrer wrote:Day 2: Terrible headache all day.

Same as last year.
Need more electrolytes

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 6:56 am
by assfly
My wife has been a miserable bitch for the last 4 days :x

She has also quit the 2 cans of Coke Zero she used to drink every day.

Not sure if it's the lack of caffeine or sugar that's making her mental.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 8:45 am
by hedogbrother
Pretty tough cutting simple sugars and gluten for me, to run an hour everyday and then get home and snack on something to get some energy without too much effort.

Weekends are the worst as it is so easy to just grab a snack bar, cookies or some shit.

If anyone is in the same boat, get a few ingredients like Erythritol, Almond & Coconut flour, salted butter, cocoa powder etc., and bake a bunch of low carb snacks like keto brownies/bombs anf almond and yogurt bread to keep around the house. So you can have your cake and eat it too : )

I use Erythritol over Xylitol mainly because the latter is DEADLY to dogs with with a higher GI and carbs:

Sweetener GI Net Carbs (Per 100g)
Erythritol 0 5
Xylitol 13 60
Maltitol 36 67
Sucralose 0-80 0

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 10:35 am
by hedogbrother
booji boy wrote:Holy crap five days seems extreme Native. Apologies if this has been explained earlier, I'm aware of the benefits of fasting for a day and intermittent fasting but what are the benefits of fasting five days?
Fasting for extended periods are beneficial on a cellular level. After three days when your body get over its starvation mode and will start to "cleanse" your system, removing toxins, resetting your immune system and actually looking for things in your body to repair breaking down old cells, instead of just digesting all the food all the time.

I do a 19/5 intermittent eating plan for most of the week but will have a smoothie or something liquid if I feel like it in the morning, but pretty much consume 2000-3000 low carb calories, depending on exercise, between 15h00 and 20h00 only. Most running and workouts are done fasted effectively but you are not using the energy from something you just ate a few minutes ago anyway.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:33 pm
by RodneyRegis
Hey native, how did you break the fast? Just finished a 5/6 day, which was pretty easy. But there's so much conflicting info about breaking, what did you do?

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 5:10 pm
by ovalball
Ate lots of chocolate over Xmas - but, have had gastroenteritis for the last week, so my weight loss has accelerated without any effort on my part.

Have now lost 10kg. My target had been 9kg by the end of Feb, so I've set a new one. Just need to shed one more kilo to get my BMI back into the 'normal range.

I can now get into most of the clothes in my wardrobe :)

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 7:17 pm
by sorCrer
2nd week complete. Did have some Vietnam coconut cubes last week. Otherwise all good. Brandy and coke has become Brandy and soda. Yum...

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 2:01 am
by Ali's Choice
Just thought I'd bump this thread to see how all my fellow sugar-stoppers are going? Still all good from my end. Sweets, desserts, chocolates are a distant memory. A thing of the past. Don't really miss them now. The thing I probably do miss the most is bread, but that's because so much of the convenient, fast food in our society revolves around bread. Going bread-free essentially means f**king around to eat.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 2:03 am
by Ali's Choice
sorCrer wrote:2nd week complete. Did have some Vietnam coconut cubes last week. Otherwise all good. Brandy and coke has become Brandy and soda. Yum...
I adore soda water. My drink of choice when I do drink is Vodka and soda. So quenching... so neutral... so dry...

Every now and then I cheat and throw in a slice of lime to add a subtle citrus kick.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 8:22 am
by Calculus
Had some crepes with caramelized pears and mascarpone cream for lunch. So very very nice :)

Image

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 8:54 am
by Gwenno
There was a telly programme last night on the BBC about internet addiction, how the same dopamine pathways are involved, and that you can have too much, i.e. there is a safe level. But what was that level? It was not a figure in hours per week, it was 'when it starts to have a detrimental effect on you' which varies according to your circumstances. Annoying for those that want black and white guidance, less annoying for those that are honest with themselves and will take responsibility for their own actions.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:31 am
by Ali's Choice
Gwenno wrote:There was a telly programme last night on the BBC about internet addiction, how the same dopamine pathways are involved, and that you can have too much, i.e. there is a safe level. But what was that level? It was not a figure in hours per week, it was 'when it starts to have a detrimental effect on you' which varies according to your circumstances. Annoying for those that want black and white guidance, less annoying for those that are honest with themselves and will take responsibility for their own actions.
Sugar cravings are a bit different, IMO, because so much of the sugar we consume has been added to foods that we wouldn't normally associate with being sugar-laden. For eg bread, buns and sauces. People know when they are consuming the internet, but they don't always know when they are consuming sugar in high quantities.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 10:01 am
by Calculus
Ali's Choice wrote:
Gwenno wrote:There was a telly programme last night on the BBC about internet addiction, how the same dopamine pathways are involved, and that you can have too much, i.e. there is a safe level. But what was that level? It was not a figure in hours per week, it was 'when it starts to have a detrimental effect on you' which varies according to your circumstances. Annoying for those that want black and white guidance, less annoying for those that are honest with themselves and will take responsibility for their own actions.
Sugar cravings are a bit different, IMO, because so much of the sugar we consume has been added to foods that we wouldn't normally associate with being sugar-laden. For eg bread, buns and sauces. People know when they are consuming the internet, but they don't always know when they are consuming sugar in high quantities.
you mean stupid people right?

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 10:02 am
by irishrugbyua
Ali's Choice wrote:Just thought I'd bump this thread to see how all my fellow sugar-stoppers are going? Still all good from my end. Sweets, desserts, chocolates are a distant memory. A thing of the past. Don't really miss them now. The thing I probably do miss the most is bread, but that's because so much of the convenient, fast food in our society revolves around bread. Going bread-free essentially means f**king around to eat.

up and down month, can cut sugar out easily weekdays but come the weekend and drinking I find it difficult to avoid when drunk/hungover.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 10:57 am
by Gwenno
Ali's Choice wrote:
Gwenno wrote:There was a telly programme last night on the BBC about internet addiction, how the same dopamine pathways are involved, and that you can have too much, i.e. there is a safe level. But what was that level? It was not a figure in hours per week, it was 'when it starts to have a detrimental effect on you' which varies according to your circumstances. Annoying for those that want black and white guidance, less annoying for those that are honest with themselves and will take responsibility for their own actions.
Sugar cravings are a bit different, IMO, because so much of the sugar we consume has been added to foods that we wouldn't normally associate with being sugar-laden. For eg bread, buns and sauces. People know when they are consuming the internet, but they don't always know when they are consuming sugar in high quantities.
And the internet doesn't give you a fatty liver and stress your pancreas either.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 12:34 pm
by Nieghorn
Calculus wrote:
Ali's Choice wrote:
Gwenno wrote:There was a telly programme last night on the BBC about internet addiction, how the same dopamine pathways are involved, and that you can have too much, i.e. there is a safe level. But what was that level? It was not a figure in hours per week, it was 'when it starts to have a detrimental effect on you' which varies according to your circumstances. Annoying for those that want black and white guidance, less annoying for those that are honest with themselves and will take responsibility for their own actions.
Sugar cravings are a bit different, IMO, because so much of the sugar we consume has been added to foods that we wouldn't normally associate with being sugar-laden. For eg bread, buns and sauces. People know when they are consuming the internet, but they don't always know when they are consuming sugar in high quantities.
you mean stupid people right?

Well, is this high sugar ketchup, significant sugar-added pasta sauce, or sugar-free (just a bit of salt) tomato puree

Image

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 12:41 pm
by Nieghorn
As for me, I've just hit 230lbs, down from 250 in October. Haven't fully cut either, but am doing fine with two pieces of bread per day for a sandwich, lots of veg, a piece of fruit or two, and one sweet less than 100 cals if I feel like and an occasional bowl of air-popped popcorn (I tend to go for a hard caramel that lasts a while).

Walk to work most days (only a 30-40 min round trip depending on which of two schools I'm at), and do two upper body / one lower body workouts that last between 30-40 mins.

I'm rather shocked (and pleased) that it's been so relatively 'easy'. Cutting food, with high sugar intake making me want more, has been more effective than doing probably upwards of 10-15 hours of 'cardio' a week in the summer (long bikes and canoe trips at a good pace), and eating at least or over 2000 cals a day.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 12:44 pm
by Calculus
Nieghorn wrote:
Calculus wrote:
Ali's Choice wrote:
Gwenno wrote:There was a telly programme last night on the BBC about internet addiction, how the same dopamine pathways are involved, and that you can have too much, i.e. there is a safe level. But what was that level? It was not a figure in hours per week, it was 'when it starts to have a detrimental effect on you' which varies according to your circumstances. Annoying for those that want black and white guidance, less annoying for those that are honest with themselves and will take responsibility for their own actions.
Sugar cravings are a bit different, IMO, because so much of the sugar we consume has been added to foods that we wouldn't normally associate with being sugar-laden. For eg bread, buns and sauces. People know when they are consuming the internet, but they don't always know when they are consuming sugar in high quantities.
you mean stupid people right?

Well, is this high sugar ketchup, significant sugar-added pasta sauce, or sugar-free (just a bit of salt) tomato puree

Image
If you look at the label it will tell you how much sugar it contains.

btw sugar-free tomato puree would have had the sugar removed and I would imagine taste pretty awful.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 3:49 pm
by happyhooker
Just had a doughnut.

It was ace.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 3:52 pm
by sorCrer
3 weeks now. :nod:

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 4:10 pm
by Demilich
Peanut butter on slices of tart apple. It sounds like one of those shit hippy alternatives to a proper snack, but it's pretty fuckin good.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 4:13 pm
by irishrugbyua
Demilich wrote:Peanut butter on slices of tart apple. It sounds like one of those shit hippy alternatives to a proper snack, but it's pretty fuckin good.
sounds sugary

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 4:16 pm
by Demilich
irishrugbyua wrote:
Demilich wrote:Peanut butter on slices of tart apple. It sounds like one of those shit hippy alternatives to a proper snack, but it's pretty fuckin good.
sounds sugary
Proper peanut butter has no added sugar - just lots of glorious fat.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 8:46 pm
by dpedin
I always do Dry January so decided to diet as well this time. No alcohol and cut way back on sugars and carbs i.e. no sweets or cakes, no bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, etc. Trying to keep to 1500 cals and to only eat between 12 noon and 6.00pm. Found it quite easy after a struggle the first few days. Routine is now sorted - cup of tea and probiotic yoghurt drink (for the stenols) in morning, big salad and protein (chicken, eggs, cold meat) with Extra Virgin and balsamic dressing for lunch and lots and lots of green veg with butter and more protein for tea. I'm a reasonable cook and have no problem eating veg, eggs and meat all the time.

Keeping track using MyFitnessPal app which is brilliant and free! Usually keep carbs down to between 50g-100g a day and sugar is about 30g or less per day. Most carbs are in the veg I eat - didnt really appreciate things like broad beans, brussel sprouts, etc had as many carbs as they did. However I need the bulk they provide so eat lots of them, doesn't make me too popular though.

Also doing 3-4 gym sessions a week involving 30 mins on bike, 60 sit ups and then weights for 40 mins. I do 8 weight stations and 4x8 reps at each, nothing too heavy, max weight I push is 50-60kgs but I try and keep pulse rate high by keeping pace up and only allowing sort intervals between reps/stations. I've lost 12lbs in just over 3 weeks so should hit target of 1st loss by end of January. Aim is to try and lose another 2st before I go on golf trip at end of April. I need to lose weight due to 58 year old dodgy knees.

I have suffered from headaches in first week or so but not sure if it is down to lack of sugar or alcohol, I suspect it is sugar withdrawals. Also felt a bit flu like but then difficult to tell with all the bugs going round if this was down to cutting back on sugar? However I now feel excellent, gym work is so much better with weight loss, I must have lost 2-3 " off my waist. I definitely feel less bloated. Actually enjoying the diet now!

TBH once I got into the routine of making lunch to go, buying the right things in the shops, etc I have not found any cravings for sugar or indeed alcohol (I would normally have a large G&T or two most nights). The only thing I find I crave is salt and savoury taste - I do find I need to add salt to my meals now whereas before I wouldn't need to. I'm using lots of pepper, herbs, chillis and spices too.

My only worry is come end of January I am tempted to have the odd drink or two, particularly with 6Ns coming up. Whilst I will avoid the pints and drink G&T slimline or malt whisky and water and count the calories inevitably the alcohol will lead to the munchies at worst time of day. Tempted to keep alcohol free until end March.

To fellow sugar avoiders - keep up the good work guys!

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 12:04 pm
by eldanielfire
I've just started a bit of Intermittent Fasting. For some reason I've struggle dot give up carbs (lazier cooking practices) this time round so I thought I'd try something else. I going for the fast for 16 hours approach so no breakfasts and eat in a 8 hour window. Yesterday was fine, but today I've felt a tiny bit of hunger, though lunch in 5 minutes.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 12:49 pm
by backrow
Question for the sugar lovers here:

I have zero sweet tooth cravings, and can go weeks without tasting sweets, chocks, biscuits etc
However , I love sweet fizzy drinks, and although I’ve switched mostly to zero I could easily drink litres of coke, Dr Pepper etc per day.

Why is it on foods I find sugar to be meh, but on drinks I love it ?

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 2:01 pm
by UncleFB
backrow wrote:Question for the sugar lovers here:

I have zero sweet tooth cravings, and can go weeks without tasting sweets, chocks, biscuits etc
However , I love sweet fizzy drinks, and although I’ve switched mostly to zero I could easily drink litres of coke, Dr Pepper etc per day.

Why is it on foods I find sugar to be meh, but on drinks I love it ?
No idea, but I'm the opposite, will have a fizzy drink maybe once every few months - but I'll happily nail chocolate and gummy lollies.

I don't get cravings for cakes or ice cream though.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 1:39 am
by fatcat
eldanielfire wrote:I've just started a bit of Intermittent Fasting. For some reason I've struggle dot give up carbs (lazier cooking practices) this time round so I thought I'd try something else. I going for the fast for 16 hours approach so no breakfasts and eat in a 8 hour window. Yesterday was fine, but today I've felt a tiny bit of hunger, though lunch in 5 minutes.
Still doing this?

I'm thinking of doing time restricted feeding, although it won't take much of a change from what I've been doing the last 2 to 3 weeks. I have carbs for breakfast in the form of bran but no stodge after that. Never have lunch due to work, and have a snack of say mixed nuts, grapes and cottage cheese when I get home, and then have meat or fish with salad a couple of hours later. If I do the TRF lark then I'll just make sure I don't eat past around 7pm. I've seen some very interesting stuff from Dr Jason Fung and others on YT today.

Anyone else tried intermittent fasting or time restricted feeding?

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 2:28 am
by True Blue
Why do you guys feel like you need to cut out sugar entirely? I have manged to lose 15kgs just from eating less and doing some running and a bit of weights. I still treat myself from time to time, had a donut for lunch today for example. Everything in moderation. Sitting around 71kg from my peak of 86kg.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 2:59 am
by booji boy
True Blue wrote:Why do you guys feel like you need to cut out sugar entirely? I have manged to lose 15kgs just from eating less and doing some running and a bit of weights. I still treat myself from time to time, had a donut for lunch today for example. Everything in moderation. Sitting around 71kg from my peak of 86kg.
I don't think you need to cut it out entirely but given how much sugar is in everyday processed that used to be considered healthy e.g. most breakfast cereals, trying to cut sugar just steers you towards more healthy 'real food' I.e. meat and veggies. Also eliminate heavy starchy carbs like bread, pasta and white potatoes and the weight just drops off.

Unfortunately eliminating/cutting down on beer, for me at least, is a different story ...

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 6:39 am
by J Man
Had a succesfull 10 weeks when this thread was started but then fell off the wagon.

I don't crave ice cream and cakes and that shit but my weakness is energy drinks for the short term mid afternoon boost. I think I am confusing sugar cravings for thirst and should carry around a water bottle instead.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 7:23 am
by Glaston
Article in the Times the other day linking sugar intake to Alzheimers.
Thats behind the paywall but the Mail has similar article.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic ... finds.html


Article from a couple of months ago.
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/arch ... rs/551528/



I had cut down on the amount of sugar I have in tea but at the moment with the hot weather, sugar intake is pretty high from the ice cold fruit juices I am drinking.


I dont usually take much heed of the food warnings the scientists/docs/researchers come up with but I might take note of this one.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 9:45 am
by eldanielfire
fatcat wrote:
eldanielfire wrote:I've just started a bit of Intermittent Fasting. For some reason I've struggle dot give up carbs (lazier cooking practices) this time round so I thought I'd try something else. I going for the fast for 16 hours approach so no breakfasts and eat in a 8 hour window. Yesterday was fine, but today I've felt a tiny bit of hunger, though lunch in 5 minutes.
Still doing this?

I'm thinking of doing time restricted feeding, although it won't take much of a change from what I've been doing the last 2 to 3 weeks. I have carbs for breakfast in the form of bran but no stodge after that. Never have lunch due to work, and have a snack of say mixed nuts, grapes and cottage cheese when I get home, and then have meat or fish with salad a couple of hours later. If I do the TRF lark then I'll just make sure I don't eat past around 7pm. I've seen some very interesting stuff from Dr Jason Fung and others on YT today.

Anyone else tried intermittent fasting or time restricted feeding?
In routine it's been working, though I've been bad this past week. I deffo went down a waist size and felt good.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 9:53 am
by Wilson's Toffee
I cut out most sugar and starches, live on meat and greens, mostly. Very little fruit. Dropped 12 kg and quite a few centimeters.

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 2:33 pm
by fatcat
booji boy wrote:
True Blue wrote:Why do you guys feel like you need to cut out sugar entirely? I have manged to lose 15kgs just from eating less and doing some running and a bit of weights. I still treat myself from time to time, had a donut for lunch today for example. Everything in moderation. Sitting around 71kg from my peak of 86kg.
I don't think you need to cut it out entirely but given how much sugar is in everyday processed that used to be considered healthy e.g. most breakfast cereals, trying to cut sugar just steers you towards more healthy 'real food' I.e. meat and veggies. Also eliminate heavy starchy carbs like bread, pasta and white potatoes and the weight just drops off.

Unfortunately eliminating/cutting down on beer, for me at least, is a different story ...
I lost about 20 lb last year over 3 months by cutting out the carb stodge, yet drank considerably more Guinness than before. :smug:

Re: Quitting sugar?

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 2:36 pm
by fatcat
eldanielfire wrote:
fatcat wrote:
eldanielfire wrote:I've just started a bit of Intermittent Fasting. For some reason I've struggle dot give up carbs (lazier cooking practices) this time round so I thought I'd try something else. I going for the fast for 16 hours approach so no breakfasts and eat in a 8 hour window. Yesterday was fine, but today I've felt a tiny bit of hunger, though lunch in 5 minutes.
Still doing this?

I'm thinking of doing time restricted feeding, although it won't take much of a change from what I've been doing the last 2 to 3 weeks. I have carbs for breakfast in the form of bran but no stodge after that. Never have lunch due to work, and have a snack of say mixed nuts, grapes and cottage cheese when I get home, and then have meat or fish with salad a couple of hours later. If I do the TRF lark then I'll just make sure I don't eat past around 7pm. I've seen some very interesting stuff from Dr Jason Fung and others on YT today.

Anyone else tried intermittent fasting or time restricted feeding?
In routine it's been working, though I've been bad this past week. I deffo went down a waist size and felt good.
What made you fall off the wagon this week?