Sugar Challenge: July 2007

Step 1: Do not buy the usual anything on your shopping list. If you live near a natural market or farmer’s market, shop there and purchase fresh and/or organic food. Try something new.

Step 2: Eat replacement foods every time you crave sweets. If you desire an ice cream dessert, go for a fruit salad instead. Snack on a succulent watermelon or delicious grapes. Eat carrots with hummus. Only eat fresh breads from a place where you can see them come out of the oven. I know, I know, bread = sugar, but if you only allow yourself fresh baked, quality bread it will be easier to make it through a month while avoiding sugary sweets. (Trust me, bread isn’t a bag of candy. We’re going one step at a time here.)

Step 3: Try making new meals with the new and different foods you purchased at the store. Mix stuff together. Imagine yourself cooking for a King or Queen—YOU! Prepare lots of finger foods and eat often.

Step 4: Whatever you do, stay away from candy and sweets and only eat healthy foods. Tell people it’s a temporary diet if they ask. Invite them to try it with you. Challenge them!

One month isn’t that long. See if you can make it through all of July. See if you are able to say, “no,” when people offer you dessert. Are your cravings for sweets so strong that they control you? Can your body handle the dietary difference?

They say, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Or not. One month without sugar and you might just want to break off your relationship with sweets forever and limit it to an annual visit around the holidays.

Good luck and tell us how you do.

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