Friday, July 16, 2010

Sugar Addiction

I've finally admitted to myself that I have a sugar addiction. I crave it all the time, regardless of my mood and/or the crappiness of my day. Even when I'm completely satiated, I want sweets.

Obviously, this has to stop. I've decided to cut out all refined sugar, eat only whole grains, and not a lot. I'm thinking brown rice 2-3 times a week, and maybe a whole wheat tortilla 2-3 times a week. I will still have my baked oatmeal in the mornings because maintaining my milk supply is paramount, but I'll omit the sugar from the recipe. I'm both dreading this and really excited about it.



For research, I check out some books from the library. The New Sugar Busters! Cut Sugar to Trim Fat, Sugar Busters! Quick & Easy Cookbook, and Potatoes Not Prozac: Solutions for Sugar Sensitivity. I also requested The Primal Blueprint, which I'm very excited about. I did some reading on the website that goes with this book, Mark's Daily Apple.

The only book I've started reading so far is Potatoes Not Prozac. I'm not depressed, just stressed, but I figure it can't hurt to read how to boost serotonin levels naturally, right? It's pretty interesting. I did skip the first few chapters, as I didn't think they were really relevant. But what I'm reading makes sense and I'm excited to implement some of her ideas into my life.

So I went to the store tonight and bought some new foods so I can have a no-sugar-added breakfast. I'm planning on a smoothie with Greek yogurt, frozen blueberries, and a tablespoon of coconut oil. Wish me luck.

If anyone has any tips on meals (specifically breakfast, or quick prep) that have no refined sugars and are low grain or grain free, let me know!

6 comments:

  1. Hi, Rachel.

    I came across your blog accidentally -- call it serendipity, I guess -- but I have to say that I am so impressed!

    I am just beginning my program (on Day 2, wish me luck) and would love to know approximate quantities on the smoothie. I know mentioning the word points may be taboo, but maybe you could just start listing a number in parentheses I think we can figure it out.

    I am out to lose the 50 pounds I have gained over the past five years following the loss of my sister. I completely abandoned my exercise program, the Atkins plan, and happiness. I've finally decided that she wouldn't want any of this for me, so I'm determined to get back to my usual size, health, and state of mind.

    I also have four children, but mine are older at 22, 20, 16 and 15. Motherhood is by far the greatest adventure of my lifetime.

    Best wishes and keep up the good work!
    Pam

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  2. *parentheses. I*
    English teachers can't stand typos.

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  3. I literally just figured out the points for the smoothie I made this morning. :) I did a cup of frozen blueberries, a cup of nonfat plain Greek yogurt (a brand called Brown Cow or something, it had the least sugar out of all the other brands), and 1 tbs coconut oil. It came out to 8 points.

    Good luck with your weight loss journey! I'm sure your sister would want the best for you.. congratulations on making the effort.

    Looks like our children are similarly spaced apart.. glad to know that there are moms out there who have survived the early years. ;)

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  4. Try fruit...nature's sugar....eat less, exercise more...that simple.

    Being overweight is inextricably linked to self esteem. Look what you have done choosing homeschooling and simplicity. You are great. Now you must learn how to feel great.

    Every choice you make must be a good one including the daily choice you make about what to eat and whether to exercise.

    Make the right choices for you and your family. You DESERVE this life and a life of good habits.

    Therapy has helped me to learn how to make good choices. I am not perfect. I have been overweight, depressed, overspending, you name it at some point in my life. Learning how to make good choices and thinking about consequences before I act are some basic life skills I learned from the help of a good therapist.

    Living simply and naturally is a great road my wife has helped inspire me to go down.

    No road is ever without bumps but this life of choosing simplicity as much as possible is by far the most satisfying for me. To live simply with financial integrity, eating well and exercising often, with a stay at home homeschooling mother to my 3 children has brought me and in turn my beautiful family huge dividends of happiness.

    I wish you luck Rachel. Take the time to take care of yourself even it includes therapy and exercise like it has for me.

    Thanks for having the courage to put yourself out here with this blog.

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  5. Thank you so much for your comment, Jeffrey. Your support means a lot, and it's good to know that there are other families like ours out there, struggles and joys all.

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  6. Hey, this is an idea for breakfast but it isn't grain-free: it's another oatmeal variation. I like to make my oatmeal with half water/half soy milk.. Then when it's cooked I stir in a bit of natural peanut butter and top it with half a chopped banana. It gives it a bit of sweetness without refined sugar.

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