The Sugar Diaries, Day 7
Published on December 9, 2013 by Dr. Caitlin Gordon
My cravings have significantly improved from a few days ago. I ate lunch today and didn’t immediately feel a desperate need for chocolate. Progress! My ability to focus seems to be returning and I haven’t had a headache the last couple days. I think I am past the withdrawal symptoms phase. I have been ravenously hungry still since my Day 3 post, but despite eating more than usual, I lost a pound (magic?).
High points
*Resisting chocolate covered peanut butter fudge that was in the fridge with a post-it note saying “eat me”.
*Watching my boyfriend eat mint milk chocolate in front of me and not visibly drooling or becoming angry and/or borderline violent.
*Grocery shopping and reading every label for added sugar–FYI tomato sauce is REALLY difficult to find without added sugar. Organic jarred tomatoes and make your own is probably the way to go (careful of canned–BPA lined).
Low points
*Ordered a vodka soda with a splash of cranberry. Realized bar cranberry juice is likely a cocktail mix of corn syrup and water and 10% actual juice. Oops.
*There is whip cream in the fridge from thanksgiving. The label says less than 1g sugar per serving. I sprayed some on my finger… then I read the ingredients: Sugar, corn syrup. I really did know better.
Survival Tips from week 1
1. I have found that when I really need something sweet, baking an apple in the oven until soft (or eat it raw, but baked is better in cold weather), and topping with almond butter and some cinnamon satisfies my sweet tooth and feels indulgent. Bonus: cinnamon regulates blood sugar, and almond butter has enough protein to satisfy you for several hours.
2. When a craving hits, make a glass of tea and wait it out. Most cravings don’t last longer than 20 minutes. I make some tea so I can distract my mouth, and then take the dog for a walk or run an errand and 90% of the time when I’m done I have forgotten about the sugar craving.
Two weeks to go! Feeling more hopeful that I can do it. Relevant feelings in hashtag form #Iamwomanhearmeroar #Kickingsugartakingnames #healthyissexy
