Thursday 28 July 2011

Sweet Poison


Have you read the book Sweet Poison by David Gillespie?  A few of my friends were raving about it last year, but I've only recently had a chance to read it. David, the author, is the father of six young children (including one set of twins) and was 40 kilos overweight when he set out to investigate why he, like so many in his generation, was fat. He researched the latest medical findings on diet and weight gain and argues that not only does sugar make us fat, but it is also poisoning us, and is responsible for many of the illnesses in our society such as diabetes, heat disease, stroke, and probably has a strong role in other illnesses such as cancer. 

His argument is pretty convincing (at least to me, I'm not sure if someone with a medical background would find flaws in his argument).

I decided that I would like to give it a go. Not only for the health benefits that he argues, but also because over the last year a couple of kilos have crept on. A couple when I started studying Law, a couple more from the stress of moving interstate, and now a couple from a cold winter and finally finishing breastfeeding. I know that if I don't do something now, then it will become a bigger problem that will be much harder to tackle later. I can still fit into my clothes, but they are feeling tight, and I can't afford to buy a new wardrobe and will find it depressing if I have to buy in a bigger size. 

I haven't figured out all the details of my 'no sugar' challenge for myself, but I haven't had anything with obvious sugar in it since Monday. My little children have been sick this week, which has made it even harder. I have felt very stressed and immediately wanted to reach for a block  piece of chocolate or a slice of cake. Instead, I have been trying to be mindful, and listening to my body and telling myself that it isn't hunger but anxiety. When I have been mindful and paying attention to my body, I can feel the anxiety (and it is very much a physical feeling, tightening) across my upper chest and shoulders. I have been trying to observe this feeling, and letting it be, beathing, and trying to let it go. It isn't perfect, but it helps. If I still feel the need to eat, then I have a cup of tea, or a handful of almonds. Monday was really hard, Tuesday wasn't too bad, Wednesday was the hardest. Today has been ok so far, but afternoons and evenings are the time when I usually indulge. 

One reason why I am finding it particularly difficult is that these little sugary treats (particularly chocolate) is my little bit of luxury in my day, the time for me all by myself. Long days at home as a SAHM can be very trying, and I see this as my reward. I know that it will be hard to change, as it is a form of addiction, and if I am going to break it, then I need to find replacements. I really want to do this. 

Do you eat much sugar? Do you think of it as a great evil, or something to be had in moderation?
Have you ever quit an addiction? What did you find helped you do it?

15 comments:

  1. i am a super sweet tooth. love it. i know i would find it very hard to give up sugar entirely. moderation is best in my view. something sweet in the afternoon keeps me going (oh alright...and in the morning and night too. shhh...don't tell anyone)

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  2. This is why i make all our food so i know what is in them - starting all my guys on homemade babyfood, i'm really anti preservatives & small things like watering down 100% juice or squeezing my own. Now they are all in primary & high school, they are technically rated underweight but they are the same body shape as everyone in my in-law family, they are this ridiculously lucky tall, slim, athletic build. I view it TOTALLY as parents are enablers - our children don't earn money & make their own food choices, we do it for them, so start them off healthy so they know the difference between a treat or party food & what they should have every day. I'm starting to stop thinking i'm lucky they eat anything, it's down to disciplined parenting & just showing them the better way, love your mushrooms, avocado & broccolli, with out any other options. We also have dessert about once a fortnight, no kidding, why on earth is dessert a daily thing - name one dessert that doesn't have fat or sugar in it?? Fruit has natural sugars but eat them during the day, why sugar up a child an hour before bed time, it's just sensible. Don't get my started on exercise & electronic games - it's so beyond lethargy, it's about social skills too. Looking forward to your finds, love Posie

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  3. I hear you Posie! I am far from perfect, and really admire that you have managed to make such good choices for your children, but it seems that more and more parents are forgetting that they are in charge.
    A couple of years ago when we were living in England there was a story about a young mother whose 15 month old toddler was massively obese. The mum kept saying, 'I don't know what to do, she only wants to eat hot chips'. Why they were being continually available to the toddler, I have no idea. It was a really sad story. It seems that people forget that they are in charge of what their children eat and when, and there children have a choice of whether they eat it or not.
    Having said this, I realised a few weeks ago that we had started getting into a habit of eating dessert every night. Not a big one, but the boys would be upset if it wasn't something sweet. I told them that we would be only having it once a week or fortnight, and it has been a surprisingly easy transition.
    I really admire your determination in this.

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  4. Hey Veronica, that sounds like me! I used to aim for moderation, but it has been slowly slipping. The author says that he stopped craving sugar quite quickly after he went cold-turkey, which is the reason that I am trying to give it a go. Not sure how long it will last, but hopefully it will curb my habit somewhat :)

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  5. I eat chocolate. But I cut pop (or some say soda) out about 4 years ago. COld turkey and wow! I can't even stomach it anymore it's awesome! My son quit pop 5 years ago and the first year lost 20 lbs. And that was ONLY cutting out pop. I think there's a lot to this idea!

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  6. I've heard that 1 or 2 squares of 70% or more chocolate is just fine...of course, it's not very sweet.

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  7. We have been fructose free for 6 months. We are 100% sugar free. The thing is, once you are sugar free you no longer want or crave it. We still have sweet foods but I make them with glucose which is converted directly into energy. We also only have dessert once a week now and we all enjoy it so much more. Our foods are all home made, except for things like milk (no room for a cow, lol). My 11 year old can decline sweet foods at school now from friends cos they no longer taste nice (too sweet).
    Try it for 3 months and you will never go back!

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  8. Keep at it - it gets easier. I will admit that I never had a lot of sugary treats growing up (mum was a dental nurse) but over the last couple of months we have cut out all excess sugar (we still eat one or two pieces of whole fruit a day) and don't miss it or crave it. It's actually really easy to decline morning tea/cake/dessert.

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  9. Yes we read the book about a year ago, it surely changed the way we perceived sugars...Well done for giving it a good go.Sugar is highly addictive and sometimes breaking the habit is really hard too.Overall you should feel much better soon.
    I think the biggest issue is the amount present in processed food...Good on you!

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  10. I've read bits of this book - I found him a bit evangelical!
    I'm a believer in moderation in most things
    And chocolate treats!

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  11. Wow, amazing to hear that quite a few people have cut out fructose completely. It has only been a couple of weeks, and during that time I have had the flu, but I definitely think that I feel better overall. I have actually been waking up earlier than usual (which is VERY unusual for me), and I am wondering if it is related. I have fallen off the wagon the last couple of days, but in a very moderate sort of way. In the long run I would like to feel that I practised moderation, but I wanted to try cold turkey to see how that would go. I think I will try and keep going for a couple more weeks, but the cold weather has been making it harder, as we have decided not to use our heating as it is too expensive!

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  12. Hello, my sister hasn't eaten any sugar for over a year- she has nerves of steel! I'm a moderation in all things type of gal, but for sure lots of sugar is not good at all.

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  13. Hey Sannah, have you found other luxuries that make you feel rewarded and are alone time? (ie not food ones?) Bath/shower? I'm having a hard time coming up with alternatives cause I do the immediate grab for carbs (usually sugar) when I need a pick me up. :/

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  14. Hi Mel.J - No, I haven't found a good alternative. Maybe that is why I have lapsed and gone back to sugar! Sshhhh... don't tell anyone!! ok?

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  15. I've been two weeks completely sugar free, but just about to start Michelle Bridges pre-season for 12wbt program, so following her Crunchtime recipes means I'll be having a little bit of sugar (in stir fry sauces) and some fruit (blueberries/bananas). I never intended to do sugar free completely, but I felt it was a good detox (though I hate that word!) to prepare the big health kick I'm embarking on this year. I've also kicked caffeine, and that has also helped me immensely. x

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