My husband is on day 6 of his 30 day no sugar challenge.  He feels better, looks better.  He stopped eating bread and his sugar consumption is cut substantially (it is only in the protein bars he has now and then, and they are low sugar protein bars).  He is losing weight and his skin irritations cleared up and his skin is glowing.  He is less bloated and when he had too much sweet potato the other day, he bloated and noticed it.  He is realizing that sugar has not been good for him.  His goal is to feel and look better.  After the 30 days, I think he will continue to watch the bread/sugar intake.  I have been doing it for 3 years now and I am skinny, healthier and look and feel better!  My Irritable Bowel Syndrome (had it since I was a kid) disappeared, as well as my GERD (Gastro-Esophogeal Reflux Disorder)

There was an article last week about a family who gave up sugar for a year.  Here is the article:  http://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/my-health-story/year-of-no-sugar-one-family-grand-adventure/?pos=1&xid=nl_EverydayHealthWomensHealth_20140413

The article explained how well the family did with no sugar.  The mother even said that her kids were WAY less sick than before too. We just have too much sugar in our society and everyone is getting sick, fat and unhealthy.

Have you thought of trying a no-sugar challenge?  Give it up for 30 days and see how you do.

Challenge Rules:

For 30 days we will avoid sweets of any kinds: desserts, candy, sweetened beverages, and even foods that have “hidden sugars” in them!  If you accidentally eat something that has a hidden sugar in it, just keep on going with the challenge.  It happens easily, because so many things have these sugars in them.

We will find new foods that give us energy, without the sugar!  Many people shy away from eating a banana because they have heard that it’s so high in sugar, but yet will fill their pantries with all kinds of processed foods that are supposedly “healthy” and have loads of added sugars!  You can have fruit, but the citrus fruits and berries are lowest in sugar and carbs.  The higher ones are the tropical fruits, including bananas.  Two fruit servings a day is sufficient.  Bread turns to sugar, so limit it to one slice of whole grain at the max, once a day…..but don’t eat white flour–turns to sugar with no fiber.  No nutritional value and adds sugar to your system.

Here are some “sugar” terms to look for in the ingredients lists:

• Maltose
• Molasses
• Corn Syrup
• High fructose corn syrup
• Evaporated cane juice
• Organic cane sugar (just because it is organic doesn’t mean it’s good for you!)
• Invert sugar
• Raw sugar
• Sucrose
• Brown sugar
• Corn sweetener (watch eating starches like potatoes, corn, peas, carrots, etc.)
• watch out for some dressings and ketchup (lots of added sugar)

So what is allowed?

• Fruit
• 100% fruit juice (but not all day, too much sugar)
• Honey in moderation (try to stick to 2 tsp or less/day)
• Artificial sweeteners

Give it a shot and see how you feel and look at the end of the 30 days.