The 21-Day Sugar Detox

 

Today I started a new program, The 21-Day Sugar Detox, so I thought I would revive the blog to keep myself accountable and to keep the majority of people on my Facebook friends list from becoming alienated. The idea behind the detox is to eliminate sugar/carb cravings by removing foods containing high amounts of sugar from your diet for three weeks. My carb snarfing is way under control compared to my half-marathon training days, but I still regularly get sugar cravings - especially ice cream - and I would like to kick the habit. I would also like to kick to the curb the last nine pounds I need to lose in order to reach my goal weight, and I'm sure this program will put a dent in that.

The "Do Not Eat" food list is pretty restrictive. Fruit, grains, processed foods, anything containing any type of sweetener (including artificial ones), any type of alcohol, sweet/white potatoes, peas, and all legumes (including peanuts) are forbidden. There are three levels to the program. I chose Level 2, which allows full-fat dairy. I couldn't care less about milk, but I love butter and cheese. Fortunately for me, the program is not too different from how I have been eating lately, as I have been eating about 90% Paleo/Primal for the past month or so. I don't make grains a regular part of my diet anymore (although popcorn is a must-have treat for me) and I've been trying to avoid most processed foods for quite some time now. I will miss fruit, but it's only for three weeks! I can still eat most vegetables, any type of meat, most nuts and seeds, eggs, cheese and butter (along with other healthy fats, such as coconut oil and olive oil).

Last night I had some farewell-to-sugar snacks: a mango and some stove-popped popcorn. I'm rather proud of myself that I didn't turn it into an excuse to make an ice cream run. Today I had Jason take some "before" pictures, which I may or may not share - it depends on how good the "after" pictures look! Today it was fairly easy sticking to the program: kale sauteed in butter with eggs for breakfast, leftover (Paleo) southwest chicken vegetable soup for lunch, and roasted chicken with spaghetti squash au gratin and cooked baby carrots for dinner. (I was pleasantly surprised carrots were allowed, being one of the sweeter vegetables.) I admit I looked a little longingly at I Scream U Scream when I went out to pick up a movie tonight, but it wasn't hard to resist. Day One is in the bag - just 20 more to go!