No more Processed Foods - an Update

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   Jewelsposted 14 years ago

   I posted not long ago that I was embarking on a program to rid my system of processed foods. http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/48449#post1118283
   
   Gold Star to Jewels
   
   I'm winning the battle.  Akin to giving up smoking, giving up sugar is as hard as withdrawing from heroine so I'm told.  Not so.  I've replaced sugar in tea with honey. Haven't had any food from a cardboard box for 3 weeks.  I feel great.  No withdrawals, just eliminating bad habits.

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      taylorsweetsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      congrats!

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      Amie Warrenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      It took me a year to completely withdraw from sugar. I was definitely a sugar-aholic. I went from candy to fruit, but still, it's sugar. I was eating a lot of fruit, thinking it was good for me, but I was really craving the sugar.
      
      I have finally gotten to where I do not crave fruit or sugar. It was a very long, drawn out process with many setbacks. When I stopped using sugar, I felt like I could not lift my limbs to do anything. I was that tired.
      
      Honey IS SUGAR! Liquid sugar is still sugar.

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         breathe2travelposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Honey is healthier for you than white processed sugar.  "Sugar" in and of itself is not unhealthy -- when in its natural state - such a fructose in fruits and veggies, lactose in milk.  The processing, high temperature state changes are what toxify sugar and give it a bad name.  Same reason white flour is unhealthy... whether in bread or pasta.
         
         Sugar provides energy.  When acquired in its natural state and in complex carbs, its source(s) also provide whole food minerals, vitamins, etc.

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            breathe2travelposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Moderation is key.  Over-consuming anything is unhealthy, whether it is organic red meat, or honey.  Moderation, balance.  Even some minerals (i.e. iron) can turn toxic with high-consumption.

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               Amie Warrenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Yep, water can kill you if you drink too much of it.

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            Amie Warrenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            You need to read the book "Sugar Blues", if you can find it anywhere. White refined sugar is poison.

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      breathe2travelposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      congratulations!  my household is on a journey to clean eating.  i didn't think the metamorphis could happen overnight, so I've made gradual changes to the entire household's diet.  Energy is up, up, UP!

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      Brigida Iranyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I find it so beautiful that you are getting successful on this! For me it was hard at first, but then I got it. Whenever you crave sweets, which I doubt you do now, eat very ripe bananas or dried bananas. It is great to beat cravings. And if you crave the taste of sugar, stevia leaves are good, they have a refreshing sweetness, but remember they are many times sweeter than sugar. It is a bactericide, and leaves your breath fresh. I am free of sugar and refined food addiction and I feel great too. I grew up on fries, fried beef and chocolate, and if I can do it, anybody can! Take it slow and let it flow!

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         bountyhunter_gaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I'm just 61 now and thanks to a Kidney transplant in September I'm going to make it much longer.
         Just over two years ago I was diagnosed  and started trying to figure out how come. was it the food, I just went cold turkey on salt, then all processed foods or anything in a can. It took about a month to live without the salt because I learned to substitute other flavorful ingredients to my food.
         I can in the summer now by using either Citric Acid or vinegar instead of salt, Mrs Dash is good to start with it relieves the hunger for salt. But no mater what you crave just slowing up really helps you quit if you want to.

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   Jewelsposted 14 years ago

   Thankyou.

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   CulinaryFoolposted 14 years ago

   Congratulations! Keep us posted...

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   rebekahELLEposted 14 years ago

   how exciting for you!
   congrats, keep up the great work!

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   PrettyPantherposted 14 years ago

   Good for you!    That is not an easy change for many people.

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6. 85

   Jewelsposted 14 years ago

   Thanks for the motivational encouragement.  I admit in the beginning I was worried I would not do it, wasn't sure my will power was great enough. 
   
   I'm going to stay on this at least until December. Hopefully cement good habits.

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   Devanniposted 14 years ago

   Congrats to you for changing your diet this way.  It's hard in the beginning, but it gets easier.  Eventually, it gets incredibly easy. 
   I changed my diet April of last year, or thereabouts.  Cut sugar, grains, most fruits, and dramatically lowered my carb intake.  I eat lots of animal fats, but only meat and dairy from animals raised on pasture alone - grain free. 
   Getting away from carbs is difficult.  Carb addiction is real - anyone who eats the standard diet in our society sufferers from carb addiction on some level.  I've always been someone who didn't care about food.  If I could wave a magic wand and make eating optional, I would.  And yet, about a month into the new diet, I started dreaming about food - toast slathered with jam and peanut butter - that kind of thing.  There is definitely a withdrawal period.
   Now, I enjoy food more than I ever have.  I love foods I never would have tried, or foods I disliked.  I haven't had a craving in a year, and I will never go back to the way I used to eat.
   I look forward to hearing how this goes for you.

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   Prakash Tposted 14 years ago

   Congrats jewels! Keep up the good work..

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      sofsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Jewels ! I admire your determination, I need more of us need to look your way. Sugar is the most difficult one for me the others are fine!!

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   suggie23posted 14 years ago

   i know

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    High Healthposted 14 years ago

    I agree that moderation is key. But what people have to remember is that processed sugar has a diffrent affect on the body than fruit sugar. Also sugar (glucose) is food for the brain so it's extremly important to have sugar in some form.

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