My only sort-of lapse was buying and eating chocolate that was labeled sugar-free at the health food shop. I asked the asssitant if it was okay because I was on a sugar-free, fructose free diet. She said yes, and that the local naturopathic guru suggests it to her patients.
Well, I thought, it must be fine, and proceeded to eat a strip of it. It tasted very good. I really enjoyed this little treat.
When I got home, I checked the label and checked it out in Gillespie's book. It is sweetened with maltitol.I'm such a silly billy (and I think perhaps hoping it would be okay despite having a feeling it might not be), because this is a sweetener best avoided. And I found out through personal experience later...
David Gillespie says of maltitol:"it is a sugar alcohol of maltose...we simply cannot digest more than one-half to two-thirds of a sugar alcohol...65 per cent...makes it into your bloodstream.The other 35 per cent feeds the bacteria in the large intestine, resulting in diarrhoea and gas...if fructose is what you are trying to avoid, you might as well be eating sugar for all you are achieving by eating [sugar alcohols] these...these products are metabolised to fructose anyway, you are not doing anything towards breaking your addiction by eating them."
So, I guess I did lapse, but it was kind of unknowingly (should have read the book more carefully!).
Having eaten the chocolate I paid for my sins with a belly full of gas and uncomfortable bloating and won't be going back there any time soon! I have really enjoyed the bloat-free-ness of being sugar free, so I plan to keep it that way.
I think I stay satiated because I'm eating full-fat foods, some of them pictured: nuts, full cream milk,cream,yoghurt, creme fraiche,cheese, hummus and crackers, as well as the usual meat and vegetables for meals.
I wonder if that is why the weight loss has stalled(too much fat)? But I'm not really all that bothered because I feel well. I know my body is being nourished.It feels happy and so do I.
Have you tried going sugar-free? What's your experience?How do you stay away from temptation?
I might need some tips on how to get through Easter...it's just around the corner.
Well done! Sounds like you are doing brilliant. It must be really hard, as sugar is in so much. I would need to give up my sugar habit, which is really bad now, due to lack of sleep. I might give it a go after easter, would be good to be healthier.
ReplyDeleteThis sugar-free diet sounds really interesting. I'm all about healthy eating and generally promote variety, moderation, and whole foods. I try to avoid avoiding any one thing because even those things we are told to believe are bad - ie. fat - are actually essential for our body to function. Sugar, however, is one of those things that we can get from natural sources but we all too often get from highly-processed foods. Glad to hear that your sugar-free efforts have been largely successful and that you're feeling well! Best of luck with the Easter holiday and have a lovely, healthy weekend!
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