My Breakup with Sugar
Hi, my name is Sarah, and I’m a sugar-aholic. For the last few years I have used every excuse in the book about why I need little treats or sugar on a daily basis. Between pregnancy, breastfeeding, holidays, birthdays, pandemic-diet, Wednesday Survivor nights…the excuses have never stopped! I have gone stretches without sugar in the past, but this has been the longest period of time I’ve allowed it IN my diet consistently.
I thought I would outline what happened in my body, fully giving it up, in case someone out there is thinking about going cold turkey! For reference, this is the removal of added sugars, not natural ones like fruit or honey.
Day 1: Total torture, scavenging for snacks to fill the void
Day 3: Headaches set in and major crankiness, bloating and cravings are very rampant.
Day 5: Still cranky, but slowly getting better. The sugar die off in the gut is still very active causing bloating and irritation. Brain fog has set in and energy has its dips.
Day 8: Finally feeling less cravings.. The bloating is better and I’m starting to think clearer.
Day 10: Getting over the hump! I’m more energized, my stomach is flatter, overall feeling less inflamed. I was telling my husband I can “feel my waist again,” meaning I had more connection to my core and felt like I can physically feel my body composition changing. That was certainly motivating!
Day 14: Totally unfazed and not craving any sugar at all. It didn’t even sound good! This is a major step for me. I know if I’ve made it to this point, I’m good and can go for much longer.
THEN… dun-dun-dun (scary music sound)... I broke my sugar fast on Day 25 and had some treats at Ellis' 1-year birthday. I will tell you, it is amazing how quickly your body and taste buds can change. I had 2 chocolate chip cookies and some icing from the smash cake I made for him and felt physically ill. In the past, that would have been no big deal at all! But it made me feel so nauseated with painful belly bloat. Even the sweet taste was too intense– my tongue hurt! (Weird, I know). The next day I felt hungover. My eyes were heavy, I was super tired and it was hard to get out of bed. Overall, the results are in: it was not worth it!
Since that day, I've been back off of the sugar completely and will keep it going for as long as possible. I know it's not realistic to be sugar free forever, but the mindfulness aspect is something I’m really trying to work on. Sugar is always going to be my downfall, so if I can save it for something special instead of absent mindedly reaching for a sweet daily, then I’ve won.
See, even we have things to work on!! Areas of improvement and personal challenges that help keep us in line. What is your relationship with sugar? Have you ever gone cold turkey and given it up? How hard was it for you and what happened to your body? I’m curious to know. Cheers to a healthier 2025!
