David Vanadia

Viewing Category: Sugar-Free Challenge

Sugar-Free Challenge: Ask for Sugarless Food

April 22, 2013 • Comments (0)

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

Sugar-Free Challenge: Read the Labels!

April 15, 2013 • Comments (3)

For one whole week, read the label on everything you eat.

Look for the sugar content and check for the total carbohydrates.

Check the ingredients for artificial flavors and preservatives.

Notice if there are more than ten ingredients in the food you’re eating and see if you can recognize and define all of the stuff that’s in there.

If you don’t know one of the ingredients, don’t eat the food until after you learn what the ingredient is (try an Internet search).

If you discover anything particularly shocking or fascinating, please share!

Posted in Sugar-Free Challenge on 04/15/13 • Comment

Sugar-Free Challenge: Bold Breakfasts

April 08, 2013 • Comments (2)

For one whole Monday through Friday business week, avoid eating a processed, sweet breakfast.

Sugar in your coffee? Avoid.

Bagels with strawberry cream cheese? Avoid.

Ketchup on scrambled eggs? Avoid.

Huge glass of fruit drink? Avoid.

Several bowls of cereal with a cartoon character on the cover? You know.

Just focus on breakfast. Keep it sugar-free and product free.

If you want to eat sweet, eat natural.

Choose foods that would rot and go bad if you left them out for a week.

Blueberries? Okay.

Strawberries? Yes.

Scrambled eggs? Sure.

There’s plenty of room for exploration and experimentation. Get creative!

Take this challenge any time.

Let us know how you do and what you ate.

Posted in Sugar-Free Challenge on 04/08/13 • Comment

Sugar Free Challenge: Go One Whole Week Without Sweets

January 14, 2013 • Comments (9)

From today until Sunday, January 20, 2013, avoid all sweets.

Post your commitment in the comments below.

Even if you slip (which you won’t because it will ruin it for everyone) don’t drop out. Just start over again.

If you’re wondering if you should eat something, don’t eat it. Like, “Does that include honey?” Yes, avoid all sweets as best you can, especially if you’re new to sugar abstinence. Really go for it. Good luck and keep in touch!

Posted in Sugar-Free Challenge on 01/14/13 • Comment

Join the Stop Being Sweet Sugar-Free Healthy Holidays!

November 22, 2012 • Comments (70)

Last year’s Holiday Sugar Challenge was difficult. This year we’re doing things differently. We’re doing Healthy Holidays!

It’s free. It’s easy. It’s on! Join us anytime.

The Sugar-Free Healthy Holidays Plan

There are three levels to the Sugar-Free Healthy Holidays:

1. Eat no sweets from right now until New Year’s Eve.
2. Eat sweets only on certain days until New Year’s Eve.
3. Eat way less sweets from now until New Year’s Eve.

That’s it! Choose one goal and go for it. Here are the details…

1. Eat no sweets from right now until New Year’s Eve.

From right now, simply avoid all sweets until the last night of 2012. This is the challenge for those of you who know that a little sugar quickly becomes a lot of sugar. Consider how much better you’ll feel if you make it through the holidays without eating any junk food. You can do this!

2. Eat sweets only on certain days until New Year’s Eve.

Look at your calendar. Between now and New Year’s Eve, pick out three days where you’ll either have trouble abstaining from sweets or where you already know you’ll want to indulge. It could be the holiday, a company party, or perhaps there’s a birthday in there. Just choose three days. The rest of the time abstain from sweets and instead eat healthily.

3. Eat way less sweets from now until New Year’s Eve.

If you just want to cut back and keep yourself from getting totally lost in junk food, this is the goal for you. All you have to do is make the healthier choice whenever you eat. For example, at a party you’d choose to eat the fruit salad instead of the cookies. Do that from now until the end of the year. 

How to Participate

In the comments below, let us know where you’re from and which goal you chose. After you comment, you’ll receive email updates whenever someone else adds a comment (opt out any time). We’ll use this spot to communicate so we can all keep in touch to support each other as we wind our way to the end of 2012. Together we will Stop Being Sweet.

Keep in mind that if you register for the Stop Being Sweet forum (also free) then you’ll automagically be logged in and you won’t have to fill in the comment form ever again.

Posted in Sugar-Free Challenge on 11/22/12 • Comment

About David

I realized I had a sugar problem back in 2003 after a weekend-long binge on raw chocolate chip cookie dough and chocolate covered pretzels. As a result, I began trying to quit sugar but kept failing. Finally, I figured out a way to stay off sweet junk food for good. Read more.