7 Day Challenge: No Sugar

Okay stick with me... I am sure you read the title and thought no way... I don't want to do that!  This is one area where I struggle the very most!  But first let me tell you all the benefits of going sugar free.  First off I didn't say a year, or a month, it is just one week.  You can do anything for a week!  Just try it and see, take it one day at a time.  You will feel better, you will think more clearly, you will age better, your complexion will look better, you will help your body to lose weight, and if you suffer from headaches, those might disappear too.

Sugar is a terrible food, it has no nutritional value, and it is so addictive.  There have been several studies showing that sugar can be compared to cocaine in it's level of addictive properties.  Also in the book Fat Chance he talks about the chemical reaction on the brain from sugar is similar to that of alcohol.  According to the book Beauty Detox Foods, sugar gives you wrinkles, makes you move more stiffly, makes you fat, steals your beauty nutrients, reduces the function of enzymes, taxes your adrenal glands, hinders your body's cleansing.  She backs each of these up with fact showing why and how this happens.  So to me it sounds like sugar is a good thing to kick.

Here are the sugars we should avoid:

• Agave
• Barley matl syrup
• Brown rice syrup
• corn sweeteners
• corn syrup
• crystalline fructose
• dextrose
• evaporated cane juice
• fructose
• high fructose corn syrup
• invert sugar
• malt
• malt syrup
• maltodextrin
• maltose
• muscovato
• succanat
• sucrose
• turbinado sugar
• Splenda and any other artificial sweeteners

If going off sugar is proving to be difficult here are a few you can have in moderation:

• raw coconut nectar
• dried fruit 
• raw honey
• organic pure maple syrup
• xylitol
• erythritol

The sugar in fruit is okay to eat because it is teamed up with fiber.   Eating fruit is entirely different than consuming refined sugars, not only does it have the fiber but it is full of vitamins and antioxidants.

To do this you are going to have to read labels... they sneak sugar into all kinds of seemingly healthy foods like yogurt, oatmeal and other healthy foods.  If you are really needing a treat don't tell yourself no... just not now..  First have a piece of fruit or a green smoothie, give yourself 20 min or so with that and see if it is enough.  Then go brush your teeth and if you still really need it ask yourself if it can wait until the 7 days is over, if not  then allow for a small piece of whatever you are wanting.  But I think going 7 days would be so awesome!

If you are finding that you really are addicted to sugar here are a few things that help with that sugar addiction.  Eat more healthy fats (coconut oil, avocado, almonds, etc).  You can also take an herbal supplement called gymnema, or a supplement called l-glutamine.  Both help to curb sugar cravings, as does peppermint tea or peppermint oil or the slim and sassy oil or softgels from doTERRA.

Before adding a supplement to curb your sugar cravings, make sure that the cravings for sugar are not tied to an underlying medical condition.  Consult with your physician prior to adding new supplements to your diet.  Be sure to read the lable carefully and follow the proper dosage and directions for taking the supplement.  Be sure your diet is rich in nutrients, supplements alone cannot make for a healthy body.