Quitting sugar for 28 days, a lifestyle change

Happy Friday steemians!

If you read my latest posts, I often mentioned about my sugar-free challenge, I have a month since I chose to join @guyfawkes4-20 challenge, so I think it’s time to make an update.
It was not my first time, cutting all the sweets in my life, even if I am very fond of sweets. Last year, I had two months without any sugar added and I felt great. It wasn’t too hard for me to be on this challenge because I really believe that sugar consumed in excess can harm us on a long term.

What I ate?

In my first two weeks, I consumed only fruits as a dessert and I was perfectly okay with that, but then I remember I can consume stevia because has 0 calories and 0 effects on your glycemic index. I made an online order and bought a Greentela and some candies with stevia added. Greentela it’s similar to Nutella but contains 0 SUGAR, has only stevia. The taste is really good. The candies had the same structure as m&ms, I was really pleased with their products and if you live in Romania, I recommend you to try their products.

I also tried this coconut-lemon bar, which is very good made from dates, coconut flakes, oats, organic lemon oil. I should try to make this kinda bar at home, it would be more affordable.

These healthy sweets lasted a week and since then I returned on consuming only fruits as bananas, mangos as a dessert.

Even my chewing gum has no sugar added, even if I bought it before joining this challenge. Bubblegum is my favourite flavour.

I also found on our local store this gem made from back cherry, without any sugar added. I ate it with some biscuits or greek yoghurt.

For some breakfasts, I ate oats with coconut milk, cinnamon, bananas and carob, so healthy and delicious.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find pumpkin, baked one is my favourite.

In my opinion, everyone should be aware of the amount of sugar in almost every product, some science person claim it’s more addictive than cocaine and I think at least 1 month you should try to cut your sugar in the diet, and why not for a longer period?! Where there is a will, there is also a way. I challenge you to join me in this challenge, I am sure you can do it!

For me, the real struggle was refusing to eat some cake on my dad’s birthday, but I was successful.

What I know now after this whole month:

1. You should read the labels of what are you intending to buy and consume, you would be amazed about the range of products that contain sugar. So even if you don’t want to quit sugar for a month/life, you should totally be aware of the amount of sugar you eat on a daily basis and maybe reduce this amount.

2. My skin condition improved, is more fresh and shiny.

3. After several days of this challenge I slept better, I had more energy so you should have a little patience, everything will be okay!

4. If you chose any sweeteners like stevia, maltitol, xylitol or erythritol don’t forget that an excessive consumption may produce laxative effects, it's written on the label so be careful.

5. I Discovered raw vegan sweets. Last year I had more spare time and I tried several raw vegan recipes and I loved it. Probably I should prepare again some healthy sweets.
   

   

6. I won’t cut my sugar intake forever, but I will definitely try to consume less sugar, the goal of this post is to create some awareness regarding the consumption of sugar.

7. During this month I lost around 1.5 kg even if this was clearly not the purpose of this challenge, so if you wanna lose some weight you should accept my sugar-free challenge.

Best regards,
@alexandraioana26