David Vanadia

Stop Being Sweet

The Best Things in Life are Sugar-Free.

Are you a sugar addict? I am.
In 2005 I vowed to quit and began
writing about life without sweets.
This site contains my journal,
product reviews, a forum,
Sugar-Free Challenges, and
the Stop Being Sweet ebook.

Quit Sugar. Eat Sugar Again. Here’s Why You Go Back.

April 26, 2013 • Comments (0)

JUST SAY NO.

If you’re new to quitting sugar, or you’ve already tried, then chances are that you’re looking for some tips on how to quit sugar for good. Below are some of the main reasons why you’re having trouble quitting:

1. You Like to Eat Sweets.

Let’s face it, sugary junk food tastes good. It’s been engineered to be extremely palatable. No wonder we’re drawn to it—plus everyone else is doing it.

2. Sweets Are Fun.

Is there any cartoon character associated with broccoli? I didn’t think so. Maybe that’s why we don’t gather around a head of steamed broccoli at birthday parties, although the candles would probably stand up well in one.

3. Sugar is Everywhere.

Not to pick on broccoli (I like the stuff) but you just don’t see it for sale on the shelf at your local gas station or convenience store. Probably because it won’t sit on the shelf for months before going bad. It’s also not salty and sweet combined with fat. Plus you have to grow it and that takes time and effort. With junk food, someone just presses a button and a blob of sugar plops onto a piece of paper that then gets sent to the store where it sits on a shelf until we spot it and snarf it down.

4. Your Body Craves Sweets.

Just like a drug, the more sweets you consume the more you want to eat in order to feel good. It sounds funny and people often make fun of the idea that sugar could be addictive (Psst. Hey, you. Want to buy some Pop-Tarts?) but here we are talking about how to get off the stuff while hoping there’s a way that doesn’t involve willpower and an agonizing detox period.

5. You Think Sweets Aren’t That Bad

The biggest reason people can’t get off sugar is because they have yet to change their positive associations with sweets. In other words, the idea of quitting sugar sounds excruciatingly painful. Quitting sugar is like being lost in the wilderness and caught in a bear trap—you’ve got to lose a part of yourself in order to keep the rest of you alive. The good news is that part you leave behind isn’t anything you need.

Here’s the secret for anyone who wants to quit sugar.

Posted in Tips, Tricks, Info & News on 04/26/13 • Comment

How to Deal with Sugar Cravings

April 24, 2013 • Comments (0)

Jonesing for sweets? Craving sugar? Can’t stop thinking about that snack you think you need so much?

The only way to overcome sugar cravings is to not give in to them. It’s a catch-22, the more sweets you eat the more you’ll want. The less you eat the less you’ll crave.

The challenge is that the space between intense craving and controlled cravings is a matter of weeks. (Notice I didn’t say, “no cravings”?)

Here are five tips to help you navigate your transition from sweetie to sugar-free:

1. Determine if You’re Actually Hungry

If your stomach is growling, eat something good for you. Eating well helps curb your desire for sugar.

2. Distract Yourself

If you’re not hungry and you’re just looking for something to do, find something that challenges your energy and your thoughts. Play a game, take a run, go to the gym, or make a phone call.

3. Tackle a Project

Sugar cravings often jump up when we’re procrastinating.If you have a TO DO list, start knocking stuff off of it.

4. Write About It

When you’re feeling that crazy sugar desire, start writing. Figure out what’s going on in your life. Lots of times your cravings are fueled not just by something physiological, but also something emotional.

5. Eat Something Healthily Sweet

If you’re just going off sugar, eating some grapes will help curb your desire for cookies. A belly full of fruit beats a belly full of processed sweet junk food any day.

Posted in Tips, Tricks, Info & News on 04/24/13 • Comment

Sugar-Free Challenge: Ask for Sugarless Food

April 22, 2013 • Comments (0)

Food Place

This challenge is for anyone who eats out on a regular basis and especially for people who eat out for business or during work hours.

When you go to a restaurant, inquire and see if there’s added sugars in the food they serve.

If they offer a dish that contains no added sugars, order it and eat it. Don’t tell the people you’re with why you’re doing what your doing.

Take note of the following:

• The reaction of the server: How knowledgeable they are about the ingredients in the food they serve? Are they sympathetic and patient with your request?

• The reaction of those at the table with you: Do they care that you’re asking about sugar? Does it spark a discussion about sweets? Are they embarrassed by your special request?

• The food that you end up with: Do you discover foods you didn’t know they serve? Do you end up eating a salad while everyone noshes on burgers and fries?

Let us know what happens!

Posted in Sugar-Free Challenge on 04/22/13 • Comment