Going cold turkey

**LionsandBears** · July 18th, 2012, 03:13 PM

I know. It's tough. For example, would this recipe be acceptable as a no sugar dessert? Does no sugar mean no sweet stuff? I don't know. My naturopath said it was ok to have agave and honey. My acupuncturist said just don't have too much sugar rather than give it all up.

I'm getting cranky and I want something sweet..... Addicted much?

Caramel Apple Crisp

Caramel:
1/3 cup coconut sugar
1/2 cup honey
3 Tablespoons water
3/4 cup Heavy Cream
1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla

In a sauce pan, pour the honey and coconut sugar in. Stir in the water and cook on a low heat for 5 minutes. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently. The mixture should begin to thicken and darken slightly in color. After 10 or 15 minutes, stir in cream. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Let cool.

Apples:
2 Pink Lady and/or Gala Apples (or sweet kind of apple)
1 Granny Smith Apples (or any tart apple)
1 Tablespoon of lemon Juice

Peel and slice your apples into 1/4 inch thick slices. Coat the slices with the lemon juice.

Crumble Topping:
1/3 cup White Wheat or Wheat Flour
4 Tablespoons Oats
3 Tablespoons Coconut Sugar
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
3 Tablespoons Coconut Oil or Butter
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
Dash of Salt

Mix all ingredients together until a crumble mixture. Grease 6 small souffle ramekins. Pour your prepared caramel on top of your sliced apples. Coat well. Fill your ramekins, leaving sufficient room for your topping. Cover apple slices and caramel with your crumble mixture. Bake at 350 for 22-25 minutes or until the top is golden and crisp.

Source: Naturally sweet recipes blog

I'd change the crumble to make it gluten free anyway.

**Liviam** · July 18th, 2012, 03:20 PM

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

**nothing2lose** · July 18th, 2012, 03:25 PM

When I did the South Beach Diet induction phase last year it said no sugar including fructose, honey, glucose, etc, etc. Of course, that is very, very low carb so it might be different. Even some vegetables are high in sugar (carrots for example) so it just depends on how far you want to go.

**LionsandBears** · July 18th, 2012, 03:31 PM

I did South Beach a few years ago and it made a big difference. I think to start with, no sugars. The fact that I'm researching alternatives shows how deep the sugar addiction goes. I dont think it's a big leap from a teaspoon of honey to scoffing the choccie biscuits. At least not for me, at the moment.

For this week at least, no sugar. If I'm still craving, then I'll extend it. Otherwise I might introduce honey or agave.

**Frangipani Lou** · July 18th, 2012, 04:25 PM

Hi guys,
Keep it up!
No sugar for me meant no refined sugars, no honey, no added sugar. Fruit was ok, but the really sweet stuff like grapes were out. Later on I found I could have pure maple syrup which is a different chemical structure. The loving earth brand of chocolate is agave sweetened so may be a good option for those who love it. Also the well naturally brand is sweetened with stevia and is available in health food section of woolies.
Each day I eat( before pregnancy- during pg I add more dairy and fruit)
5-6 served good carbs- wholegrain
2- 3 serves fruit
4-5 different vegis
1-2 serves good fat like avocado
2 large serves of protein
2 serves dairy
I got into a flow of which foods to eat when. E.G
Bfast- 2 carbs, 1 dairy
M tea- 2 carbs, 1 fruit
Lunch- 2 carbs, 1 protein, 2 veg
A tea- 1 dairy and 1 fruit( having a smoothie right now!)
Dinner- 1 protein and 3 veg
Late snack- 1 fruit if needed

Within this format is flexibility when you know what a serve is. It's also easy to keep track of making sure I eat the balanced diet that I need. The rule was, if I occasionally wanted something extra, I could have it but I had to eat the healthy food first- so no skipping serves of food, otherwise I'd get cravings and come undone.

Regarding yoghurt- I often make my own using the easyyo yoghurt maker. It's cheeper and healthier than premade yoghurt.

I hope this gives more of an idea about how I've kept at it for so long and that it helps or is food for thought- no pun intended!

**MulwareeRainbow** · July 18th, 2012, 04:31 PM

When I had terrible cravings it helped me to picture my evil little sugar demons wilting away and crying out for sugar.

Haha love this!

So what's the deal with candida? I've not heard of it in terms of sugar diets. I have a mental picture of the character from The Big Gig in a leotard and permed hair...

**Traveller** · July 18th, 2012, 04:33 PM

for me I am doing no added sugar, although if it is the last thing on the ingredient list of 20 then I will allow myself (although in actual fact if a food has 20 ingredients it is probably a really bad idea, but that's a whole other battle). So weet bix that are basically wheat and sugar are off, but I will allow myself a small amount of honey in my porridge tomorrow if I really can't stand the taste without it. Fruit I will allow myself. I am not (I don't think) addicted to sugar and have managed to wean myself off the huge amounts I was eating, to an occasional freddo. However the last few weeks I have been eating so much ice cream that it's not even funny and once I do that I find I crave all sugar, all the time. So by going cold turkey for a while I can get back to the point of having some sugar sometimes, but just not a diet mainly of lollies and ice cream (2 days last week

)

**nothing2lose** · July 18th, 2012, 04:39 PM

Haha love this!

So what's the deal with candida? I've not heard of it in terms of sugar diets. I have a mental picture of the character from The Big Gig in a leotard and permed hair...

lol! You must be as old as me!!!

A good breakie is porridge with cinnamon and blue berries.

Or greek style vanilla yogurt with cinnamon and a teaspoon of natural peanut butter.

**LionsandBears** · July 18th, 2012, 06:25 PM

My favourite brekkie is poached eggs, bacon & hollandaise sauce. No sugar and lots of good fats.

**surprised** · July 18th, 2012, 07:55 PM

Oh can I join you ladies? Am so addicted - the fact that I've tried a few times but can't quit concerns me!

Pancakes can be made without sugar. Serve with pure cream and berries. You can make them apple or banana pancakes.

My dilemma is I can't eat dairy due to DS having an allergy (breast feeding). So that makes it a bit tricky.

I also like peanut butter without sugar and salt. And hot chips!

I find I go ok for a few days but buy some sugar when we're having guests, and it all goes downhill from there. I struggle finding 'non weird' sugar free desserts to serve. Any ideas?

**nothing2lose** · July 18th, 2012, 08:04 PM

How about Apple Strudel? Flavour the apple with cinnamon, lemon rind, honey or sultanas. Add walnuts or something.

Or do a banana strudel. Add sugar free choc, nuts.....

Fruit salad with cream.

**Frangipani Lou** · July 18th, 2012, 09:30 PM

Poached pears in good quality apple and berry juice with a dash of cinnamon and served with fresh cream (optional) Yummo!! A great winter desert and yummy cold too.
Or a dried fruit compote if your eating dried fruit.

Sugarfree pancakes with berries simmered in a splash of fresh o j and vanilla bean extract. Yum!

**MulwareeRainbow** · July 18th, 2012, 11:55 PM

Three minutes to midnight... made it!

How did you all go?

Loving the food suggestions!

**Butterfly Dawn** · July 19th, 2012, 02:36 AM

We are starting tomorrow, today now. the whole family. Im expecting feral children for some reason but i don't feed them alot of sugar- i think. But they came home from their grandparents with a weeks supply of candy and crap.
Fruit is staying. Chocolate (gulp) ice cream all that kinda junk food gone. Drinks will be the tricky part i think.
Weetbix has sugar? but it says no sugar added! oh man. Bread i don't eat but the kids do and not sure if it will go or not.
Hoping our food bills lower with this- thinking of a month to start with for family

Sent from my Galaxy with the barefoot princess covering me in kisses, so please forgive the mistakes

**meow** · July 19th, 2012, 03:28 AM

So what's the deal with candida? I've not heard of it in terms of sugar diets. I have a mental picture of the character from The Big Gig in a leotard and permed hair...

While doing callanetics

Candida is the name of the species of bacteria that loves sugar. Everyone has it and it can be beneficial in reasonable amounts but it is well fed by the modern high sugar & starch diet so it's normally a bit out of control. It's funny how it's not often referred to in terms of sugar diets- we place too much onus on the individual and their lack of willpower. In actual fact, when you have incontrollable sugar cravings it's the candida sending "we're hungry" messages to your brain on your behalf. So that's why picturing the candida bacteria as little demons helped me as I didn't want them getting a say in what I eat anymore.