Ditching the Sugar
For some of us ditching the sugar can be tougher than quitting cigarettes.
After all, we don’t need to smoke—but we do need to eat!
Ready for the Good News?
It’s Easy When You Know How!
Ditching the sugar doesn’t have to be hard. It’s a matter of learning which foods work with your body instead of against it. Foods that nourish you from within and eliminate cravings that mess with your best intentions.
Keep it Simple
Follow these guidelines as closely as possible and ditch the sugar habit once and for all.
– Large 32oz Motivational Water Bottle – Time Markers Track Your Water Intake
- A positive mindset really helps when ditching the sugar, together with keeping it simple.
- Eat a range of real (mostly unprocessed) foods that are low carb, moderate in protein and high in healthy fats.
- Eat when hungry, stop when full—not bursting!
- Invest in a water bottle fill with water—and drink up!
- Enjoy sugar-free treats once in a while.
Keto Makes it Easy
- Stick to 20-25 g net carbs a day for weight loss.
- Eat 30-35 g net carbs a day to maintain weight.
- Adjust carbs up/down to suit age/build/activity, etc.
- Eat moderate amounts of protein.
- Eat good amounts of healthy fats.
Whether you prefer a laid-back, moderate or super strict approach, at the end of the day it’s all about getting back to basics.
Eating the way people used to…
Before the LOW FAT REVOLUTION that helped us get FAT!
Top 10 Tips for Sweet Success
- Like anything new, the first few days (weeks) of a new eating lifestyle can be tough—but you are worth it—and you CAN do it!
- Start by learning everything you can about a low carb high fat (keto) lifestyle. These Guidelines, FAQ’s and the Sugar Free 101 page are a good place to begin.
- Eliminate the obvious sugary junk food and drinks, then “white” starchy foods (bread, rice, pasta, flour, etc). Don’t worry about being perfect, just get started!
- Instead of snacking, try chewing some sugar-free gum (it also freshens your breath which may need a little “help” as your body begins to produce more ketones).
- Make easy to prepare meals when you first begin and follow the KISS principle (Keep It Simple Sweetheart)!
- Soups and salads are quick and easy and can be prepared ahead in batches (a bowl of this comforting soup is simple to make and takes only minutes to re-heat).
- When special occasions put treats on the menu, make them sugar-free, low carb and keto friendly, like this cheesecake or these orange almond cupcakes.
- Be kind to yourself, allow (expect!) some slip-ups along the way. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off—and just keep going.
- Keep a log of your weekly weight loss, favourite meals, things that helped or hindered your progress. Ditch the things that did not work and keep doing the things that did!
- Build your own personal reference library and refer to it often. I can recommend the following which are just some of my personal favourites.
&
By Judy Barnes BakerBy Carolyn KetchumBy Sten Sture SkaldemanBy Em EllessBy Lisa SheaBy DJ Foodie
Sweet relief
In no time at all you will feel calmer, stronger—and thrilled to bits that you stuck with it.
Sweet bonus
The odds are you’ll lose weight and feel great!
Sweet victory
If someone like me (crazy about the sweet stuff) can live without sugar…
So can YOU!
Sweet rewards
You CAN lose weight.
You CAN eat cheesecake (yummo!) and food you could only dream about on a low-fat diet.
You CAN look and feel your very best YOU!
Sweet support
Stay tuned for recipes, tips & tweaks!
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Hi Julie, I was recently diagnosed with diabetes so your blog is a perfect fit for me! I love the colors and the setup as well and your header is awesome.
Hi Karen,
Thanks for stopping by. Sorry to hear about the diabetes diagnosis.
I hope you’ll find the information and recipes (coming soon, promise!) helpful.
I’m a big believer in having choices. Switching to sugar-free, LCHF has given me that and so much more. I can’t wait to share the benefits with others.
Thanks again for visiting and for your kind words about the blog – so glad you like it.
Wishing you well.
I love the sweet little poems! Nothing better than poetry to really spell out how something feels. You are right about kicking sugar being one of the toughest addictions! I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia/borderline diabetes at a very young age, and that sweet nectar sure leaves a slippery slope. More power to you girl, the crepes look great, cannot wait to see more yum! (have the ingredients in my cabinet for your crepes already, cant wait for this weekend, BRRUUUUNCHHH is happening with ICLWS crepes <3)
Hi Alexa,
Thanks for your kind words about the poems. Yes, sugar can certainly be one tough addiction. Thankfully, though, it’s one that can be beat. And for people like yourself, who are suffering from pre- or full-blown diabetic conditions, it can be a life changer! Eating low carb high fat helps stabilise blood sugar levels but still allows you to enjoy a taste of life’s little pleasures along the way. The crepes are very filling and really hit the spot when you’re in the mood for a treat. Brunch on the weekend sounds perfect. Sure hope you enjoy them!
Hi! It is SO HARD to give up sugar – but you are right – totally worth it. A few years ago, I gave up sugars and most carbs while on an Atkins type diet. After the first initial couple of weeks though, I was fine and actually felt better. I am back on sugar now and need to get back where I was!! Thanks for the post – a great reminder!
Hi Wendi,
Nice to hear from you. Yes, it is HARD to give up sugar (initially). But, as you say, it gets easier after the first couple of weeks. When I first went sugar-free, low carb I could not believe just how much I’d been depending on sugar/carby foods to get me through LIFE! They were my pick-me-up, my soother, my little treat. It really made me sit up and take notice. Thankfully, there are so many lovely things to eat that do not require sugar or high carbs, that once you become used to the change it’s easy to stick with.
I’m sure you will do well if you decide to give it another try and thanks so much for stopping by. Love your blog and inspired to make some of your recipes sugar-free, low carb style.
I find your sugar-free lifestyle inspiring. With kids and and with needing to rely on convenience foods every now and then, I feel like it would be an almost impossible task for my family. That being said, it is a goal of 2018 that our family take a good look at our sugar consumption and start decreasing where we can. You’re right, the first few days are hard! And, very educational (for numerous reasons;)
Thanks for all your guidance in this.
Hi Jenn,
Thanks for stopping by. I agree it can certainly be a challenge to cut back on sugar when life is busy and there are children to consider. I recommend starting out by reading labels to see how much sugar is in everyday foods. It can be a real eye opener. Make whatever small changes you can that fit in with your lifestyle. It’s a good way to gradually cut back on sugar. My husband’s family is Italian and I love pasta! Thankfully, most Italian sauces are keto friendly. I just serve them over low carb veggies and hardly miss the pasta these days (not completely mind you!). So glad you found the blog helpful and wish you and your family future good health.
Wonderful tips! We started cutting sugar considerably after dad was diagnosed with diabetes a few years ago. To be honest, the first couple of months were rough because we’re so used to having sugar and carbs in a lot of things we eat. But after a while,you get used it.
Hi there Emma, congratulations on cutting the sugar and hope your dad is doing well. It often takes a shock like this to make healthy changes to our diet. Yes, the initial phase can be a little tough, especially for anyone with a “sweet carb” tooth (me!). However, better health, lack of hunger and cravings makes it so worthwhile. Again, great to hear you have made the switch. Happy healthy eating!
Probably one of the most useful and informative blog posts Ive come across in a while!