Let me start off by saying I have been eating too much processed sugar, as I was deciding how long to do it and what exactly to cut, I was inspired to see if anyone was interested in joining, comfort in numbers! I was completely overwhelmed, and super excited, by the response… so now I need better guidelines, which is good for me, a written plan is always better.
I do not advocate the removal of any food group, I would like to see the limiting of high sugar fruits to one a day. I will be posting posters and pictures of foods with low and high sugar content. The removal of sugar, if you eat a lot, may cause initial irritability and headaches, once those pass you should feel much better, and it should only take a day or two. I have done internet searches, e-mailed a few doctors I used to work with, and asked other nurses if they have ever heard of a sugar fast putting someone in the hospital, no one has, nor do they think this is dangerous, some of them will be joining us even.
If you decide that this is something you want to do, there will be daily articles about removing sugar or recipes containing alternate sweeteners, I do not advocate the use of artificial sweeteners, and will not publish any recipes with them in it, that is your personal choice if you want to use them. As far as alcohol all the studies I have looked at recommend 2 glasses a day for heart health, more can lead to weight gain and other problems. If you must have alcohol please limit to 2 glasses, and look for something with less sugar, it’s only for a week, I intend to go without, but you never know, there could be a gathering somewhere and I may want a glass of red wine, may as well have it built in.
If you start off with us and cannot make it, do not feel bad, I won’t come to your house and spray you with my water bottle. If you have a small piece of cake at the office for a birthday for example, don’t drop out, jump right back in. We are only human. This is a learning and growth process, I also hope that it’s fun.
Okay, now that all that is out of the way, what are we giving up? Anything with added sugar or high fructose corn syrup, even my favorite whole grain bread has a lot of added sugar, there are types of rye and sourdough, for example, that have no added sugar, no sugary sodas, no candy, no cakes, cookies, or pies. Still with me?
I am never going to find a perfect time for everyone to do this, we are starting whenever you wake up January 2, if you need to do it later please read along with us and share your experiences when we get there. If you can talk your family into doing this with you it will make it easier on everyone. Tomorrow I will publish more foods and a tip list to get started… hint, read labels!!
Love peace and hugs, thank you for having this adventure with me
Edited By: Ellie July 30th 2012
