I reckon many of you are probably gearing up to make New Year’s resolutions and clean up the ol’ diet after a few months of too much sugar.
Well, for the latter part, I am your go-to gal!
I’ve been eating low sugar now for almost five years, since Sam was born. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself!
Speaking in the personal sense, so as to avoid citing ‘studies’ done by others, I’ll tell you that sugar is like poison to my body.
Some of its effects include:
- Candida
- Foggy thinking
- Mood swings
- Fatigue within minutes of eating it
- Increased cravings for it
- A cloying taste in my mouth
- Skin issues, including rashes and dryness
A BIG note here, the above is NOT limited to processed, refined white sugar. It includes that which I ingest from honey, maple syrup, and dates!
I can even get symptoms from eating a lot of fresh fruit. I know that point goes against a lot of what circulates regarding ‘eat as much fruit as you want’, but that’s my personal experience.
In addition to myself, I’ve seen a lower sugar diet help my kids as well. The biggest changes being reduced hyperactivity and a better mood/personality/overall disposition.
I tell you this to encourage those of you who may be fighting against the realization that you too need to ‘retrain your sweet tooth‘!
As a former sugar junkie, I never thought I’d get to where I’m at now. I now can enjoy the flavor of the ingredients in treats, as opposed to just that ‘sweet’ taste.
Foods like oats, coconut, vanilla, and cinnamon are all naturally sweet on their own, and they are imperative to sugar-free baking.
Stevia can be a great option for some as well. I use this brand right now, which is one of the most unrefined versions I can find with NO added ingredients.
For January, I’m reviving my annual Detox-mas to encourage everyone to ‘retrain your sweet teeth‘!
This year, Detox-mas is about bringing focus to a low sugar way of eating. Not just the refined kind, but ALL forms, including the the aforementioned.
Some of the recipes I’m (hoping) to post this month include:
-Fudgy Brownie for One
-A modern take on the old-fashioned tuna noodle casserole
-My (current) favorite salad dressing
In the meantime, some good sugar-free recipes to take a gander at now include:
A low-calorie, filling meal that pairs well with cheese crisps! Check out this tortilla recipe for the latter.
Fudgy, whole grain, and only ONE TEASPOON of added sweetener!
A flourless, high protein crust that is delicious with just about any topping you can imagine! This is my favorite pizza sauce recipe!
Low Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookie
A low sugar treat made with oat and spelt flour. One of my favorites, I make this at least once a week!
My favorite pancake recipe and NO added sugar or oil!
No oil or sugar used to make this scrumptious, guilt-free treat! Top it with 100% chocolate to keep it totally sugar-free or splurge a bit and chop up a Trader Joe’s 73% bar.
The BEST Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
My favorite, everyone here loves this soup!
My gym has a motto that ‘if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you‘, which I really like.
Though changing your taste isn’t easy, it is very rewarding!
I hope you all follow along and find something delicious to help you feel your best.
Margaret says
Have not seen any postings in a while. Glad to see you online again. Looking forward to following your sugar detox. Realize how important that is to my personal health – have candida issues. I am still using some of your older recipes and I love them. Would like to see more YouTube meal preps:)