Day 4..and I haven't gone crazy.. yet

Coke and Ice-cream for Breaky? Um.. no thanks

I'm half way through the first week of this little 'experiment' and so far...so good! To be fair, I was already aware of hidden sugars in things like traditional muesli, cereals, fruit juices, low-fat dairy and the like so it's not like I had to give up all of those things cold turkey. But aren't those things healthy? Um.. no. Muesli can have the same amout of sugar as a whole block of chocolate and don't get me started on things like Coco Pops and Fruit Loops.

For a comprehensive list of the sugar content in breakfast foods, check out David Gillespie's Guide to Australia Breakfast Cereals here (this guy is the author of Sweet Poison - click here to read, explains this whole shebang muuuuch better than I do!) And the deceiving I'm-loaded-with-sugar-yoghurt  Low-Fat yoghurt has more sugar than ice-cream! As for the fruit juice - would you have a glass of Coke for breakfast? Didn't think so, but if you have a glass of juice, freshly squeezed or otherwise you can be rest assured that it has the same amount of sugar in it - about 11 teaspoons in one glass! Fructose (the molecules in sugar) is fructose - no matter what pants it's wearing. Even if those pants are snazzy little hipster pants from the health food store.

Mango or Mars Bar?

I'm used to having eggs/veges in the morning (eggs can turn leftovers into the piece de resistance of the breaky menu - add some cheese and herbs and voila!) I do miss my fruit though, especially my morning smoothies. What's wrong with a fruit you say? Absolutely nothing, but for the purpose of this little experiment, I need to cut out all sugar. As Sarah Wilson very simply puts it 'the chemical composition of sugar – be it in a mango or a Mars bar – remains the same.' So there to the big bowl of bananas staring me in the face each morning. I don't need or want you..for the time being. I'll break my little sugar addiction first and then I will happily enjoy a few pieces of fruit a day. 

You see, for the majority of the time, I eat really well, I avoid the hidden sugars. But what I don't avoid are the bleedingly obvious eat-me-right-now-and-watch-me-go-straight-to-your-thighs kinda sugars. Flashback to when I started this whole thing. You will recall I was stuffing my face with that triple-berry cheesecake on Sunday night, so it's safe to say that's where my weakness lies. I can't say no, I can't stop at ten one piece/bite/mouthful. It's this little problem, that can undo a whole week of eating well, that I want to stop.

I'm being honest when I say so far so good. I get to have wine!! Yes I am allowed to have a glass of wine at night, which has been my saving grace I think. And so far I haven’t barrelled up my husband in the corner of the bedroom demanding he tell me where the ‘hidden’ chocolate is. I guess it is only day 4 though...

Breakfast

 

- Sugar free pecan + coconut granola with cinnamon. Recipe adapted from Sarah Wilson's I Quit Sugar Cookbook.

 - Mushrooms, baby spinach (or whatever veges you have) sauteed in a little coconut oil with a couple of eggs and a piece of grainy toast.
 

Lunch

- Bases - I have beein having rye cruskits, brown rice thins, or these raw crackers above.

 - Toppings - Avacado with tin salmon/tuna or shaved ham/turkey from the deli. Throw some tomato, baby spinach on there too (I just didn't have any left!)

 -Coconut water has a subtle sweet flavour which just may help keep those cravings at bay!

Dinner

 

I forgot to take photos of dinner! But here's a little list.. I did however take a photo of the wine that has been washing my dinner down nicely! Seriously you have to try Sticks Pinot Noir, we had this at our wedding and it was a hit ( the 87 hangovers that were endured the next day might have a different opinion)

 

 - Chicken, broccoli, sesame + cashew stir-fry - with tamari sauce, no sweet chilli, kecap manis (read: all the bloody tasty sauces!) It was ok, I think I may need to work on the natural flavourings like chilli, garlic etc. Washed down nicely with my Sticks Pinot Noir. Have I mentioned how awesome it is that I can still have a glass of wine at night?

 - Rib Fillet Steak and char-grilled sweet potato, zucchini + eggplant (again washed down with my Pinot Noir)

 - Asian meatballs with steamed broccoli, washed down with.. oh that's right hubby drank all the wine so tonight I had Vanilla flavoured Rooibos tea with a dash of full cream milk. Um... now this stuff is goooood. Dessert sorted!

 

Snack Time

Little tricks I have up my sleeve to combat the munchies + cravings.
 - Vitaweat grain crackers are sooo good, but may be a little too good. I could easily eat the whole packet!
 - Vanilla Rooibos tea is my find of the week!
 - That peanut butter (from Woolies) is delish on rice thins.
 - The trail mix is fab (especially if you like dark chocolate) The subtle sweetness of the coconut chips/flakes with the raw cacao nibs almost feels like chocolate. I did say almost.
 - And activated pecans - oh my! I have read a lot about what you should soak and hence 'activate' your nuts, (you can read here) and it does make sense. But who has the time?? These little babies were expensive though, $9 for that tiny packet - so probably going to be a treat.

 

Mentally, I feel strong. Empowered even. The fact that I denounced sugar to the world (ok my facebook friends) really cemented the fact that I'm doing this thing. Properly.  It’s almost like I owe it to the 126 people that have read my blog post thus far (um..thanks guys, feeling slightly chuffed about that) There is something empowering about telling the world your goals – you really are then telling yourself that you are serious! I really feel on track with this (hush hush, I know its only day 4 but still..) And I cannot believe the people that have already quit sugar, its pretty common out there. Who knew?

 

Until next time...

 

PS It's Australia Day this weekend plus I have an engagement party at the most lavish of residences.. Did I attempt to do this one week too early?! (Put down the champagne and step away from the macaroons, put down the champagne and put down the macaroons, put down the champagne and step away from the macaroons, put down the.... you get this gist of my problem?)