Finishing Two Weeks with No Sugar

Well, I did it! Kind of. I managed to eat without added sugar completely for 12 days, then I was out of town and not eating at home much this past weekend, so I wasn't completely sure about whether or not I ate added sugar (in fact, I'm pretty sure I did). And then yesterday, I may have had a few bites of Andrew's milkshake, and a lollipop. So, you know, challenge mostly complete.

Here are some main points I've gotten out of this though:



1. EVERYTHING has added sugar or sweetener.

Seriously. Having more of an awareness of eating less added sugar has made me realize how many things that I don't normally think about that have added sugar do have it. I knew things like tomato sauce and frozen dinners often had added sugars, but some things I was genuinely surprised about. Sliced turkey breast for one - brown sugar or cane syrup! Gah. And chicken sausage! Sugar. So lame.




2. I do need to cut out artificial sweeteners.

Yep. Bye, diet coke, powdered Crystal Light packets, and sugar-free jell-o and pudding. I'm really realizing that by eating these things, I'm driving my own craving for sweets. Now that I've cut those things out, I feel a lot healthier and am already craving sweet things less... although I am still craving them. I'm happy with using fruit-sweetened waters that I make, seltzer, iced tea, and coffee for "special" drinks.



3. I need to make rules for myself.

I've found that over the past few weeks, it's much easier to say "no" than to constantly contemplate whether to eat something or not. So for me, I think in the long run I want to make some rules for myself. I've realized that when I find something that works for me, not that is part of some other diet or even Intuitive Eating (which I think has some great principles, but when I look at that system as a whole, I still feel that I'm following someone else's plan), that I'm more successful.

I've realized that a lifestyle with much less added sugar really does work for me. I'm eating more whole foods and less processed crap. I'm going to try to continue this, but to give myself a little flexibility to have some treats here and there, too. I'm hoping with some more concrete rules, like one dessert item per week, I'll be able to still enjoy desserts but limit the amount of grief I can cause myself mentally about whether to eat something or not!





As you guys know, I've tried to figure out over the last year something that will work for me, so we'll see how this goes! If you want to know any more about my "rules" that I'm making for myself, let me know, but I don't want to post everything on here. These are going to be something that I want to abide by, but don't think I should put upon anyone else. But I'm happy to talk with any of you about this :)


Happy Monday everyone, I hope you all have an amazing week!