Benefits of a sugar free diet

[AJ Collector]

Congrats Scott keep up the good work.....

I have my own business now and am on the road all day so eating healthy is actually easier then I thought....I pack a cooler from the night before and eat nothing but protien and drink water! What you said about carbs is spot on, I also stay away from anything processed.

So glad your feeling better and your energy level and general outlook is improving, I more then any one still remember the comfort food I would consume knowing it was killing me and then going thru the depression and guilt afterwards for consuming it. After about 6 months of this destructive cycle I turned it around and have never looked back....... Again, keep up the good work!

[EMCE Hammer]

That's awesome Scott. My wife is really good about keeping things healthy at our house, but I have little willpower when I go out to lunch during the work week.

[megoapesnut]

Do natural sugars like from fruits and fruit juices count?

[Random Axe]

Do natural sugars like from fruits and fruit juices count?

Somewhat. They don't have the same negative effects that refined, processed sugars do, but they will add up over time. Yes, fruits have quite a bit of nutrients. I just am avoiding anything like that. I won't even eat a sugar-free item like candy or a pastry. It's too close to the real thing, so I'll just steer clear of that as well.

I was just talking to BK for a while and the first thing he mentioned was how much different I sounded on the phone. If that isn't proof that I'm on the right road I don't know what could be.

[emeraldknight47]

Sounds like you have a great new lifestyle plan, Scott, and as long as it's serving you well, then that's an extra added bonus!

[tinkerbeee]

As a Diabetic, you should not avoid fruits all together. Kiwi is the diabetic super fruit! Also get yourself on a Cinnamon regiment. After it builds up in your system you will see a noticeable drop in readings.....plus its yummy.

[LadyZod]

I was prediabetic. I decided to get rid of "unnecessary" sugars.

By "unnecessary" I mean, sodas, white grains, sugar packets, cookies, ice cream, cake, etc.

I do however eat whole grains, and fruits. I get my daily allotment of sugar from fruits, and quite frankly it's not a whole lot sugar vs nutrients I need. I get most of my carbs from veggies. No unrefined ANYTHING.

I'm also on a low animal protein diet due to other issues (about 3oz a day). I get the vast majority of my protein from nuts and beans.

And then the kicker... I take about 4000 mg of vitamin D (if you work night shift or just do get out in the sun, have your D level checked. Mine was critical and it affects your bones and energy levels) and I take about 2000 of B12 a day.

If battling diabetes... almonds. Natural raw almonds-roast them yourself to avoid high sodium. High in fat (but the good kind) and it's get for keeping glucose levels... well, level.

My glucose is now 82 at any given time. Weird considering 6 months ago my FASTING level was 145.

[Adam West]

I also don't eat a lot of carbs. I don't have diabetes or prediabetes but both of my parents do/did.

It is difficult but manageable. I do eat some bread every once in a while or have that piece of candy or cake but make it more the exception than the rule.

[Delusional B]

Add me to the Type 2 Club. I was diagnosed 11 months ago and it's been a bit of a roller-coaster to get myself to take it seriously. On again, off again. I'm currently exercising quite a bit but still am struggling with cutting out the white stuff (potatoes, rice, pasta, bread). It's great to see others succeeding instead of struggling. I'm going to try to cut that stuff out, too, after hearing about the immediate benefits. Of course, the long-term benefits are worth it, too.

[palitoy]

Thanks for hitting it home for me Scott.

I am not a diabetic but certain conditions I face insist that I keep physically active and make sure not to get overweight.

Cut sugar out of my life 9 years ago, best thing I ever did. Now I've trying to step it up by removing breads and starch. It's hard, I really like breads and starch.

Anyway, your success gives me a good feeling I'm on the right track.

[Random Axe]

I checked my blood sugar just out of curiosity this afternoon. I haven't taken my medication in over a year and my reading, even after lunch, was 115. For someone my size anything under 120 is acceptable. I'm guessing a fasting level would be around 105. I still have a long, long way to go, though. The strange part of this is I have no craving whatsoever for what I've given up, not even a little.

I'm on vacation this week, and normally I sleep the day away with naps. Not this time. I'm getting things done around the house, working on customs and catching up on some Netflix movies now that I can stay awake. I feel freakin fantastic.

Just one week, folks. Try to eliminate that stuff from the diet and see how much better you feel after seven days. I would never suggest anyone do anything like this if I didn't 100 precent believe in the benefits. Is this difficult? Yes. Can anything worthwhile be achieved easily? No.

[EmergencyIan]

Sounds like you all are doing great. Thanks for sharing! Best of luck.


- Ian

[BOTZWANA]

But what snacks do you eat?

[MegoMark71]

But what snacks do you eat?

Are you being serious or just a jerk?

[Random Axe]

Are you being serious or just a jerk?

Legitimate question. Nobody gets to be my size without a giant dose of unhealthy snacking. I have replaced the Doritos, chips and other assorted salty goodness with whole wheat. I eat Triscuits, Wheat Thins and peanuts. Sometimes I'll add cheese for protein. Snacking for me was always my downfall, always. Once I recognized the pattern, I shut it down completely. Late night snacks for me are now beef jerkey.