Last year I held a simple sugar free challenge. My readers were invited to embark on going sugar free for a week. Some people went off of refined sugars and tried to only use unrefined sweeteners. Others completely avoided sweeteners, and others even went beyond that to an anti-yeast diet. Well over a hundred people participated and many had surprising results, everything from weight loss, to reduced sugar cravings, and other health benefits. This was surprising to me as I generally expect it to take longer for people to really benefit from making a diet change, but sometimes it only takes a week to experience real benefit. For example, read a few of the comments left last time.
Lisa Z
I’m glad you shared my comment! I did have an amazing week on the sugar-free, white flour-free challenge and I’m going to continue it as much as possible (100% at home, it’s going out that’s hard).
I have what I consider undiagnosed fibromyalgia (nerve and muscle pain head to toe, almost constantly.) As of today and starting about 12 hours into this challenge, I am still pain-free, and I can only attribute it to taking the sugar and refined flour out of my diet. I had a glass of wine on Saturday night, and while that didn’t feel great after over a week of no alcohol (I’m a lightweight), it didn’t cause any headache or pain. Taking out refined white foods has been the key, I guess, and I’m totally surprised. I’ve never, never given up sugar completely before. I have gone gluten-free for weeks at a time, and had some success with that, but it seems the sugar is the main culprit in my pain, and I have noticed even before this that white flour gives me digestive distress (bloating, mainly).
Thank you for doing this challenge. It has changed my life! I now find myself not even wanting sugar-y foods. I do like sweet tastes, though, so this past week I had plenty of honey in my tea and even made a zucchini cake and cream cheese frosting with just a little honey for Sunday dessert. It was great!
I’m wondering how much the genetic modification of sugar and wheat has been causing my problems, but I’m going to cut out all sugar and white flour for now, organic or not.
Cindi
This was a great challenge! My two teenage daughters remained steadfast even though there were many temptations (our chiropractor was even serving up organic naturally sweetened desserts that they turned down)! I think being committed to this “official” challenge made it easier for them to be strong. We’ve had so many great discussions about sugar this week, and I am grateful for what they are learning. We read together all your posts Kimi, and appreciated them very much. My girls definitley seem more willing and self-motivated to adopt some of these new habits, which makes me very happy!!
Melodie
Ours went very well. My goal was to reduce sugar cravings by eliminating sugar, mostly in the form of baked goods and ice cream. I succeeded and have likely saved about $40 this week in treats for myself and my girls. Their behaviours this week have been amazing too. I expected little terrorists but instead they were very agreeable to the challenge, followed the rules and the screaming and arguing was much less this week than usual. We all had a pice of blackberry pie and ice cream as a treat to celebrate the end of the week (and Thanksgiving) but we all had much smaller slices and scoops than usual. Cravings have virtually disappeared.
Regardless of whether you lose weight or see a health benefit, it’s just a good practice. I don’t think we realize how “sweet” our diets are until we try to take sugar or sweeteners out for a week. I wrote last year,
“The reason we like sugar is obvious. It’s sweet. And ever since we were newborn babies we have been attracted to sweets, like our mother’s milk. But in the end, not only is {white} sugar empty calories, making us gain weight while remaining undernourished, do we really want to be controlled by anything, even something as pleasant as cakes and cookies? I know so many people who can’t refuse sweets or who can’t go without them for any period of time. Sweets control them to a certain extent.
I have personally found dealing with my sugar cravings to mean greater freedom for myself. For example, I always knew I shouldn’t overdo sweets, but it was hard to resist it (especially since cakes and cookies seem to flaunt you at every turn). But once I went on an anti-yeast diet and dealt with some antibiotic related issues, I’ve found it so freeing as I can generally easily refuse sweets (not always, mind you, but usually).
Let me tell you, it feels good to be free!”
Well, after having lots of yummy Christmas Candy, I am finding it harder and harder to resist sweets and know it’s time to buckle down again! Want to join me? Starting next Monday you can join in a week long discussion and sugar free challenge. I hope that this will enable many of you to jump start a healthier diet, or help others (like myself) get back on track.
Here are the Three Levels you can commit too.
Beginner level: Take out all refined sugars including corn syrup and white sugar. You will need to read labels carefully when buying prepackaged foods. Instead use natural, more unrefined sugars such as rapadura, coconut sugar, raw honey, and whole stevia extract ( I think that stevia is okay on all three levels).
Moderate Level: Remove all natural sweeteners as well, using fruit as your “sweet”. Consider removing other starchy foods that can also feed yeast, or make you crave sugar.
Advanced Level: Take out all sugar forming foods, and go on an anti-yeast diet (such as the GAPS diet or the Body Ecology Diet). Please, beware, if you have a yeast issue, taking out the foods that feed it may make you detox and have a die-off effect (which can make you feel sick and miserable). If you have any illness or health issue, you should consult your health provider before trying a anti-yeast diet.
If you would like to join in, please leave a comment below and I will enter you under participants.
Participants:
1)Kimi Harris: Moderate
2)Elena Harris: Moderate
3)Summer Harms: Moderate
4)Celina: Advanced
5)Katie: Moderate
6)Jenn: Moderate
7)Brittany: Advanced
8)Hollie: Beginner
9)Karen: Beginner
10)kmillecam: Advanced
11) Gina: Moderate
12)Rebecca : Moderate
13)ZoeDown: Beginner
14) Melissa W.: Advanced
15)Sarah Mulholland:Beginner
16)Katie: Beginner
17)Nicky B: Moderate
18)Lara:Moderate
19)Ruth: Moderate
20) Katie @ Modern Alternative Mama: Beginner
21)LeaG: Beginner
22) Jenn: Moderate
23)Beppy : Moderate
24)Revel: Moderate
25)Melissa @ Dyno-Mom:Moderate
26) Kristin: Moderate
27) Tash and Husband: Moderate
28)Laura: Moderate
29)Lynn: Moderate
30)Amanda R: Beginner
31)Nicole: Moderate
32) Amanda: Moderate
33)Megan: Moderate
34)Briita: Moderate
35) Kristin S : Beginner
36)Karen: Moderate
37) Kelsey : Moderate
38)Annette: Moderate
39)Amanda K: Moderate
40)Speedmom: Beginner
41)Theresa: moderate
42)Ann: Moderate
43)Dani: Beginner
44)Shayla Taylor: Moderate
45) Ashley Armistead: Moderate
46)Kerry: Moderate
47) Ellen:Moderate
48)Theresa: Moderate
49) Jani: Moderate
50) Sarah: Beginner
51) Kari: Moderate
52)LeighAnn: Moderate
53) GG: Moderate
54) Jen: Beginner
55)Noor Z: Beginner
56)Jani: Beginner
57) Sarah: Beginner
58)Pam H: Beginner
59) Jen @ Real Food Healthy Living: Advanced
60) Ruthann: Beginner
61) Jenny W: Moderate
62)Alison: Beginner
63) Madeleine: Advanced
64) Steph Garvey: Beginner
65) Jenny Garret: Moderate
66)Amelia: Moderate
67)Megan: Moderate
68)Ruth: Moderate
69)Thomas: Moderate
70)Amparo: Beginner
71)Nicole: Beginner
72) Kirstie: Moderate
73)Anna: Moderate
74)Tana: Moderate
75)Shannon Carter: Beginner
76) Adiela Carter: Beginner
77) Michelle and Family:: Moderate
78)Janet Spangler: Advanced
79) Greta and Husband: Moderate
80) Maggie: Moderate
81)Olivia: Moderate
82) Christina B: Moderate
83)Hope: Moderate
84) Rachel: Advanced
85)Anna: Moderate
86)Brandy: Moderate
87)Leah M: Moderate
88) Juli and Husband: Moderate
89)Lori A: Moderate
90)Kim: Moderate
91) Roni: Moderate
92) Living Less Mom: Beginner
93)Angelita Lotinsky: Moderate
94)Micaela: Moderate
95) Jo: Advanced
96)Shannon and Husband: Moderate
97) Josh: Moderate
98) Gail: Beginner
99) Jenn: Beginner
100) Dink Kreis: Moderate
101) Jennifer Bickerton: Moderate
102) Nicole W: Moderate
103) Christy: Beginner
104) Kellie and Family: Moderate
105) Handcuffed Heart: Moderate
106) Bronwyn Malloy and Husband: Beginning
107) Serena Jensen: Moderate
108) Shalana: Moderate
109) Katie G: Moderate
110) Kris: Moderate
111) EileenH: Moderate
112)Victoria.S: Moderate
113) Colleen
114)Jamie: Advanced
115) Pat C: Beginner
116)Ashley: Beginner
117) Shelly W: Moderate
118) Sarah Wheller: Moderate
119)Vikki: Moderate
120)Cindy G: Moderate
121) Heather: Beginner
122)Trish: Moderate
123) Jennie: Moderate
124)Gwyn: Beginner
125) Lynn: Beginner
126)Kendra: Beginner
127: Stacy: Moderate
128)Chris: Moderate
129) Terry Puc: Moderate
130: Debora Diana: Moderate
131)Mariana: Moderate
132)Becca Harris: Beginner
133) Esther: Advanced
134) Benay: Moderate
135)Cath: Moderate
136)Mary :Beginner
137)Liz: Moderate
138) Kristen in MO: Moderate
139) Whitney: Moderate
140) Stephanie B Cornais: Moderate
141)Tara: Beginner
142) Katie O.: Moderate
143)Megan: Moderate
144) Tiffany: Moderate
145) Peter: Beginner
146)Sasha: Moderate
147)Marilee:Beginner
148) Amy: Moderate
149)Karen: Moderate
150)Penny
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I’ll go as moderate
Count me in as well! I’ll do moderate. Thanks for putting this on :).
I’m in! For the advanced – no grains, no rice, no sweeteners, no fruit
I just started the Paleo Diet a few days ago, although I really hate that they’re calling it diet, because it really is a lifestyle. Anyway, I am a serious sugar addict. I had the hardest time staying away from all sweets. It was getting unhealthy… all the while I was a runner, and I’m currently training for several half and full marathons. On the Paleo Lifestyle I eat no sugars, no grains, definitely no bread or pasta or starchy vegetables. 5 days into it, I feel so much better, even though I’m still dealing with some headaches which are apparently caused by the detoxing that’s going on in my body. But fact is, I work out better, I sleep better, I have fewer cravings (actually I didn’t crave any candy for a couple of days now). So while I will not participate in your challenge, since I’m doing this permanently, I will bookmark your page and return so I can weigh in on the conversation. 🙂
Oh, and I found you, because I was looking at soaking nuts. And I posted your site on my Facebook Wall. 🙂
Yes, please! After going on the candida diet with my five year old from May through October, I’ve slipped big time and crave sugar constantly (and give in more than not). I feel like garbage and this is exactly what I need!! Please sign both my husband, Josh and myself up for moderate.
I’m in! at the beginner level. I’m so addicted to sugar- it’s completly controlling me! I am going to see if my two teens will join as well.
Beginner
I gave up sugar 4 weeks ago and can feel the difference. I will join the challenge as a moderate
Moderate!
I’m in! I’ll do the Moderate level…I think my naturopath is going to have me on the anti-candida diet soon. Kimmie, could you give any advice (or a post would be GREAT) on what you did when you craved sugar during the anti-yeast diet? Was there any way you managed to make something (invent with ingredients “okay” on the diet) sweet to satisfy your craving or did you just tough it out?
thanks so much 🙂
nicole
I’m going to try this as a beginner.
I’m in, along with my husband and our toddler! Starting out with beginner.
I’m in for moderate.
I would like to join you sugar free challenge at the moderate level
My husband and I would like to join in, beginning level and no processed foods or white flour! Love your blog!!
Hi! Thanks for doing this! I’d like to join at the moderate level too! Thanks!
Advanced for 1 week and then moderate for 2 weeks. Also, starting on 1/15.
Moderate. I’m already doing a 30-day green smoothie detox, but I have found myself sneaking at least little bits of refined sugar every day so far. I need to eliminate it for at least a week straight!
Can you put me down for moderate. I just found this – not sure if for one week or more? We already do level one regularly with special treats once and while. I have been doing low sugar 15 grams a day for about a week, but will strive to do this with fruit only for the this challenge. I do not count my glass of raw milk daily as part of this 15 grams of sugar – that would be really tough!
I’m in at as a beginner with the goal of working on my caffeine consumption after I get sugar under control!
I’m in for moderate!
I look forward to this!
advanced- already started this diet with living well designed by dr hotze. had a couple of tough moments when working and only available foods were carb heavy and a girls night out with yummy desserts, but this week has been better. i’m off of fruit for one more week…can’t wait to eat an apple!
I’m in for the beginner level. I was feeling so much better last fall (gluten and sugar free) but the sugar crept back in through the holidays and now I just can’t seem to quit!
Beginner: I have never done a sugar free diet before….and never dreamed I would even consider it. I crave sugar and will be in prayer this week and researching many ways to not be tempted! Thanks for all the education on this subject!
In for the sugar free challenge, Moderate level!
I’m in for moderate 🙂
Joining @ Moderate level.
Its the Moderate level for me
Thank you for posting this challenge…I’m in for beginner!
Moderate
Sign me up for the moderate level!
What a great idea to have an entire community in on this, I like thinking there are people all over the country, world maybe?, going thru this at the same time!
I”m in at the Beginner level, white sugar and white flour.
Thanks!
Count me in, beginner level. We’ll see if I can convince my hubby, too!
Hello! I’ve been happily reading your website for over a year now. Thanks for all your healthy tips. I want to join the sugar free challenge. As this is my first year, I’ll start at the beginner level. – Kendra
Count me in for Moderate! I’m already pretty consistent with the beginner except for occasional irresistable treats…
Sign me up for moderate. Thanks!!!
Moderate, My family of four has been on a challenge since January 1st and we have lost 24 pounds as a family unit! It has been up to me to prepare and serve the sugar and any other white product free foods. We are feeling and looking much better!
My dayghter, 12 years old (Mariana) and I are joining you on the moderate level.
Good luck to everybody!
Thanks Kimi. That is what we needed.
Debora Diana
Beginner level for me!
I’m in too! I’m trying for the advanced. I should be on the GAPS diet for my sweet nursing baby so a little more motivation will be good for me.
I’m in for the moderate level. I feel much better when I eat fresh fruit instead of sweets with sugar.
Moderate 🙂
Count me in for beginner!
As a sugar-holic, I am in desperate need of a diet overhaul. Count me in for the Moderate sugar challenge!
Moderate
I’m going to try the moderate level. Thanks for the challenge.
Ok, I’m in too! Count me in at the moderate level…I am still breastfeeding, so I kinda of have a feeling that a heavy duty sugar detox and the preceding symptoms might not be a good idea while breastfeeding…or maybe that’s just the yeast talking. 🙂
I’m so excited for the encouragement I’ve found on your website, and I’m ready to take the beginner challenge (though hopefully I can even pull of the moderate challenge) this week, along with my family.