8.1.10

dear sugar, it's over

Cereal boxes
photo: Alan Valek

Hi my name is Bess and I am a sugar and carbohydrate addict.

It's true, there is such a thing and I'm it. Last summer, in an effort to deal with some health issues, I went on a super strict detox/diet eliminating every grain of sugar and sprinkle of white flour from my food. I was an absolute success (for 5 weeks) and felt amazing. At the time, I was working from home so it was easy to plan meals and have healthy snacks on hand for when I was hungry. Big Chuck was in Australia, so the food I was eating didn't have to taste great so long as it followed my strict guidelines. It was a big challenge to feel satisfied at the end of the meal and I would crave a giant slice of white bread smeared in Nutella almost 24 hours a day for the first couple weeks. During that time I also experienced sugar/white flour withdrawal (!), it exists - I googled it.

Needless to say, this diet wasn't meant to be permanent, but a way to recalibrate my system and find a healthier and sustainable way to eat everyday. The holidays as well as some delicious brownies have thrown me off track so, one of my new year's resolutions is to take back control of what I'm eating. I figure an 80/20 balance should be do-able. 80 percent of the time I follow the rules and 20 percent of the time I get to indulge. It becomes tricky when you go out to dinner, or a party or want to do anything that involves other people and food/alcohol (so those situations would fall into the 20%). I think that's fair, no?

Do you have any resolutions that you'd like to share? I'd love to hear them!

Happy Weekend everyone :)
Bess

Update: I don't mean to say that I don't eat any sugar or carbs - just not the bad stuff, ie, foods heavy in refined sugar/fructose etc... (I still eat fruit for example) and foods that are made from primarily white flour like, pastries, pasta, some breads. I'm not a crazy diet lady - I swear!

8 comments:

  1. Dear Sugar,

    Please stop calling me, I told you I wanted to end this but you just wont give up will you?

    Bess I am also a sugar and carb addict..bread is my love. I gave itup once for lent and ended up gaining weight because I was substituting with other things. How can you possibly give up ALL carbs?
    I admire it, but wow. Our body needs some carbs to keep up energy.

    My resolution is to get out of my rut.

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  2. hi linda - i just added an update to my post. i didn't mean to suggest that i don't eat any carbs, i wouldn't be able to lift my pinky if i did that! I am simply limiting my refined sugar/white flour intake. Not so drastic really - there are lots of alternatives available.
    Rut be gone!

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  3. wow, good for you bess! i'm sending you positive vibes because you are obviously a stronger woman than i ;)

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  4. An 80 - 20 solution must be perfect :o) And there is sugar in almost everything these days ..

    I've eaten my share of sugar - long time ago .. I am still crazy about cookies, cakes and chocolate .. but in less amounts .. I don't use sugar in my tea or coffee anymore - and I used a lot of sugar in it before .. Don't know why I stopped - just didn't want it anymore .. strange .. but very OK :o)

    Have a nice weekend and a wonderful week to come.
    Good luck with the 80 -20.

    All the best!

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  5. And white flour is so hard to avoid in Vienna, too, where everything's breaded & fried and salads are just meant to look at ;)

    Cheers, from one expat in Vienna to another!

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  6. Bess,

    Thanks for stopping by Coeur de La. The answer to your question.... I attend University of Santa Cruz. Thanks for your comment about my deer photograph... I was stunned when it walked right by me on my way to class and luckily grabbed my camera in enough time to snap a photo. I love what you have created on English Muffin!!! I too am cutting back on the BAD sugars and trying to balance in more veggies... so my 80/20 is 80 percent veggies and 20 percent of the time meat.. we will see but so far so good!!! Hope your weekend was lovely!!! xo

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  7. Hi Bess- I'm your 50th follower!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I've checked out your etsy shop and am officially in love with your designs! Love love love!
    Cheers from your home n' native land

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  8. First time at your blog and I must say I like it very much! Love coming back :)

    /Jes, Sweden ♥

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