What's wrong with Sugar? Convince me it's poison, please?

[Sculpturegirl]

When I was first introduced to the yeast cleanse, I cut out all sugars, etc. cold turkey. I felt like a crack addict on withdrawl. It was terrible! I had the shakes, was mean as a hornet's nest and craved it so badly that it hurt. I remember watching someone dump sugar packets into his coffee. I almost jumped the table just to get a single grain of that delicious, amazing sweet white stuff. After three weeks, I was fine and felt great, but I had to go off of it COMPLETELY. Then Thanksgiving happened. Yeah, that was the end of it for me.

[Soliloquy]

Originally Posted by organiquegal

Socially, this is not an easy thing to do.

No, it's not. I believe a lot of people are more addicted to it than they realize. When they meet someone who says, "No thank you," they try and get you to have some as if it makes the fact that they're eating it OK. I'm not telling other people not to eat it, just don't give it to my kids and I'll fend for myself. But they keep trying to get us to eat it. Sometimes I feel like the only sober person at a college party and everyone treats me like a narc or something. It's mostly family that reacts this way. For the most part my friends think it's a bit odd but don't make a big deal out of it.

[cobluegirl]

Not sure if it has been mentioned or not but sugar depresses for your immune system for 6 hrs...after ingesting..

[simplegirl]

:/ I had a major conviction of sugar eating last night. Ya see, I eat ice cream *every* night. I'm so conditioned to it, sadly, that this is going to be really hard to break but I feel it is nearing time to cut WAY back.

[3PeasInAPod]

I don't think sugar is good for anyone.. but for those that are overeaters -it's especially bad. I know, because I am one. I'm on day 4 of no sugar, this includes raw sugar, honey & agave nectar. It's not easy & I have a dull headache now , but I know I cannot survive & recover from my addiction to food without eliminating sugar from my diet.

[KLin]

I so crave sugar products. Especially when I am not eating regularly or healthy. It is a grab and go issue, like salty chips. :/ I am trying so hard to be healthy, however with so many food restrictions in my family, sugar is always around in something. I limit as much as possible.

Any thoughts on Sucanat?

I read this whole thread and watched the documentary over the weekend. Wow...it's incredible the things I learn here from all you wise and knowlegeable women. A saying comes to mind that I think really fits here:

"THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE.....BUT FIRST IT WILL MAKE YOU MISERABLE!."

I by no means am an expert at cutting out sugar, but I have never been big on drinking pop and sugar beverages. However, over the last several months I have decided to not drink fruit juice. All my fluid intake consistes of water (but now that I'm pg, I've been trying to drink milk for the extra calcium). I also drink a lemon water (with a fresh squeezed half lemon with NO sugar) and I have noticed a difference in cravings for the sweet stuff and carbs. I should also mention I take chromium picolinate which is supposed to help metabolize carbs. I did finally get back to my prepg weigh but it seems like it just came off naturally. I think the lemon water together with the chromium has really helped for what it's worth to anyone. Probably other things too but those were more key in the carb cravings.

After reading all this, I'm going to make a conscious effort to reduce the sugar especially since my last 2 pregnancies I had some glucose issues. Thanks girls. So many great points in these posts. Thanks for teaching me. I love learning about this kind of stuff even if at first it will make me miserable. Truth is truth and I want to know it. God bless all your struggles with the sugar beast! We are all in this together.

So... should I cut out ALL sugar? Or is the occasional smore while camping okay for my kids? And pure maple syrup is okay to sweeten with? (the back of my jar says 53 sugars per serving) what kind of cereal do/can you eat? (dh and I are cereal people)

[homesteadmama]

Is chromium picolinate ok to take while bfing? I think that might help. I've also been doing the lemon water thing (mostly to help with ph if my body), and I've lost about five pounds recently. But, I've also cut back on sugar. Today I went to trader joes, and ended up having a sugar feast on the way home, and I feel like cr@p now. Having the knowledge from this thread is inspiring me to be more consistent. Now, what to do with the ice cream I just bought today that is sitting in my fridge...?

[Gentle Journey]

oporn

So you guys have convinced me that sugar is evil. I ran out and bought some agave today. Since our family is gluten free and mostly dairy free, I found this blog to be helpful- she has gluten free, dairy free, sugar free recipes.

http://gluten-dairy-sugarfree.com/

[keepinghome]

so I read this entire thread and I'm watching the movie right now. I learn so much from you all

How do you substitute it in cooking? There are various subs listed in this thread but do they substitute cup for cup? If they don't, how do you know how much to use? I'm at a high altitude and already have enough trouble baking w/regular sugar

And w/grinding your own flour, exactly how long will it last in my cupboard? Is it a huge hassle to grind it just as needed? And if you just grind as needed how long do the grains last before you needing to grind them?

Originally Posted by keepinghome

so I read this entire thread and I'm watching the movie right now. I learn so much from you all

How do you substitute it in cooking? There are various subs listed in this thread but do they substitute cup for cup? If they don't, how do you know how much to use? I'm at a high altitude and already have enough trouble baking w/regular sugar

And w/grinding your own flour, exactly how long will it last in my cupboard? Is it a huge hassle to grind it just as needed? And if you just grind as needed how long do the grains last before you needing to grind them?

If you grind your own flour, keep any 'leftovers' in your freezer. Grinding as needed is not a problem or inconvenience. At all. I've had grains (packed properly in buckets, with bay leaves distributed throughout) for 10 years. Grains generally last a loooooong time, when properly stored. I do not recommend storing them in the freezer (BTDT) because they get 'soggy' and they can ruin your grinder (even when you try to dry them out). Trust me. The grains are most likely a few years old by the time you get them anyway. But, as long as they are not 'broken', they are fine.

I was looking at grain mills. Does anyone have a type or brand to recommend?

Originally Posted by NCmom

I was looking at grain mills. Does anyone have a type or brand to recommend?

We have the Whisper Mill. You want a low-heat, self cleaning type. Ours advertises "stone grinding with the convenience of electric". . . .it should be "self-cleaning" (the grinding mechanism).