January 2019, I decided that I would try to beat my sugar addiction. After reading a few articles about how bad sugar is for you and knowing how hard it was for me trying to just limit how much I ate, it was time to take a drastic step and quit. Yes it was an addiction. So I got through the first week and the rest is, as they say, history. After a month it became a new way of life. Before purchasing anything I would check the label and if it had any kind of sugar listed, I did not buy it. It’s quite an eye opener; almost everything has some kind of sugar. So when reading labels, I look for sugar and any words ending with”ose” such as fructose, lactose, maltose, galactose, etc. Also, syrups like rice, corn, etc. The first few weeks were interesting but because I never really use much in the way of processed foods and I do enjoy cooking, I found it quite easy to convert. It really became my own challenge. Sugar was the only thing I was giving up. I didn’t have to give up carbs or fats, only sugar. I was still eating fruit and did not worry about the natural sugars in those. Bananas became something I ate or included in my smoothie every morning. I also started using them as a sweetener in making muffins. I did not use maple syrup or honey as I felt that personally I would overuse this type of natural source of sweetness and I still have not had the need or desire to introduce them back into my life. I have become happy with my new lifestyle. My partner has been very supportive in this, enjoys the smoothies and any sugar free baking that I do. He has not cut sugar entirely from his diet, but is eating less than he use to and is amazed at how good sugar free food can taste.

If you would like to follow me on my quest to eat sugar free and healthy foods, I will answer any questions you have and support you on this journey. And yes I am one of those people that could and did eat lots of candy, cookies, cheesecake etc. For example, I could eat a large bag of chocolate covered almonds in a 20 min. car drive on my way home from work late at night. Or it could be a large bag of gummies or licorice all-sorts (yeah, you know the kind, they come in a two bag box around Christmas time…)

Addicted I say.