| Before we get into Week Four of the Sugar Detox challenge, let’s review. So far, we’ve kicked out High Fructose Corn Syrup, refined white flours, and all desserts. How are we doing? Very well actually. Last night was the first time I craved sweets. However, I’ll just tell you that it might happen to be in line with a certain thing that occurs on a monthly basis…….and I ate a handful of almonds instead and was perfectly satisfied. I think it might all be in my head. Week four wasn’t that bad either. Let’s see how it went. |
| This week we say adios to all refined sugars. What does that mean? All white sugar, brown sugar, organic sugar, or any other refined sugar product has to go. I didn’t have much remaining in the house since we already eat whole foods anyway…..but I did have a few organic processed foods that had “organic sugar” listed in the ingredients. Did I get rid of them? Nope. I know this won’t last forever, and that occasionally a splurge of organic sugar (better than regular white sugar in my book) is okay. I just stuck those items in the back of the pantry and I won’t visit them for a while. If you don’t have that type of willpower, you might want to donate them to your neighbor…….and make sure you don’t have a key to that neighbor’s house in case of an “emergency.” Needing a cookie is not an emergency.What are we allowed to eat instead? Honey, maple syrup, Sucanat, date sugar, and coconut sugar. I don’t have the last two, so we’ve been using the first three items (which are outlined in detail here). I have used stevia once……I’m not sure if it’s considered “refined” or not. I’ve asked Donielle, and I’m waiting to hear back. I’ll advise when I find out. 🙂
ETA: Donielle advises that stevia is okay in it’s pure form – which is green. I guess I’ll do without stevia for the next five weeks. |
| We get a great explanation of why we have sugar cravings. I won’t go into that here – you’ll have to sign up to find out. 🙂 But, I find that I don’t normally have sugar cravings. Sure, sometimes I’ll want a Tootsie Roll……but I don’t feel that it consumes me. My problem is dealing with snacking. I would snack all day if you would let me. I’ve had to train myself only to eat when I’m hungry. I think that has helped me control sugar cravings – except when Eve comes to visit (I want to kick her). I honestly thought that all I would be able to think about was chocolate cake. So, I’m surprised that I haven’t had that issue. It’s nice. :-)The hard part comes when you go to someone else’s house to eat. It means you mainly have to stick with meat, fruits, and vegetables. We’re blessed that at this time of year, all of those things are in abundance. So, I can eat a whole tomato and be perfectly happy….and pass up the bonbon. Donielle says the best way to deal with sugar cravings is to remove all of those types of foods out of your house. She also mentions that adding coconut oil to your food can help you control cravings. Since that’s what I use a lot of to cook, maybe that’s what helping me deal. |
| The natural sweetener we explore this week is Sucanat, also called Rapadura. I’ve been using Sucanat in a lot of my cooking for the past three months, and it works beautifully! I purchased a 50 pound bag from Bread Beckers. It filled two five gallon buckets, so I’m sure it’s going to last us a while. In items that I worry about the taste being too strong (it tastes very strongly of molasses), I usually use stevia, honey or maple syrup instead. You can substitute Sucanat cup for cup in place of white or brown sugar. |
| So, there you have it. We’re halfway there and doing great! I have only experienced headache symptoms from switching to decaf coffee, so I don’t contribute that to this detox. Have you had any symptoms since going off sugar? Make sure you sign up to follow along with me on the Sugar Detox Challenge!Stay tuned for Week Five. |
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I’m curious to belately join the detox. One question after seeing that you are still baking. As longs as I use whole wheat and non-refined sugar I can still make desserts?
No, all desserts went away during week three…..it’s sad, but true. 🙂 So, it would be 5 weeks of no dessert.
This is a great idea! thanks for sharing at FAT TUESDAY and I hoe to see you here next week!
Hi Stacey.
Just so you know, most whole foodies consider stevia to be a fine wholesome sweetener. There is a stevia that is green in color that I personally haven’t tried yet, that is less refined than the white extract. It has more of a licoricey taste. I hope to try it soon.
One thing to remember w/ stevia is that most stevia on the market is the expensive kind that has fillers in it and that kind would be considered to be refined. The least refined brands that I have found are NuNaturals and Wisdom Naturals brand. I hope to have a Wisdom Naturals giveaway on my site soon :-).
Thanks Adrienne. 🙂 Sweet Leaf is what I’m using right now. I haven’t been able to locate any other stuff locally yet. I might try ordering some online. Thanks for the input. 🙂
Stacy,
I just went to the Bread Becker’s website and it says the Sucanat has been discontinued. I wanted to let ya know. I am going to google it and see if I can find it elsewhere.
Jennifer, I also buy it at my co-op and from King’s Produce in Wytheville. 🙂 I’m sure the Amish store would order it and you could pick it up. They do that for tons of foods. I’ve ordered from them with great success.
For now, my 50 pounds should last a looooooong time. 🙂
I love how you read my mind. I was going to ask about sucanat replacing brown sugar. Bless you! 🙂 We are going to finish up what we’ve got (not much at all) and then move to sucanat full on! We already replaced our other sugars and flour which is great! What do you do to replace confectionary sugar? Do you grind up your sucanat? Just curious.
I actually have a semi-tutorial on that coming up. 🙂 I just plop some sucanat down in my blender and let it get powdered. It doesn’t take long at all. 🙂