{Day 1} 21 Day No Sugar Challenge

Have you ever wondered how long you could make it without sugar?  I've gone without sugar (including sugar alternatives) before but I think only a couple of different times for about a month each.  Then inevitably a holiday, birthday or vacation comes up and I give in "just a little" and it seems to open a floodgate of cravings and bad habits leading to feeling horrible but the vicious cycle continues!

Back in January I went grain free with my husband Warren and was careful about anything processed and lost 10 pounds but then, you guessed it- first Valentine's Day, then vacation, then birthday....And I got to the point that I couldn't get back on track and I felt like it was the sugar.  Grains are surprisingly not too difficult once I realized how I felt without vs. with them.

(Warren has developed a wheat intolerance so we've made a few dietary changes and have notice an improvement in overall health.  It took me probably over 6 months to come to terms with it, though:  "Healthy Whole Wheat?  How can that be bad?" I have since learned a great deal about food intolerances and discovered a few of my own - and, yes - they are healthy foods, too.)

ANYHOW....Today I began a 21 Day No Sugar Challenge with a few of my family members.   Come along for the ride or just read along each day to see what it's like.

Here is a 14 minute video that sums up much of what I've tried to learn about sugar:

The Most Filling Oatmeal Breakfast

Update 4-22-13: 

I feel I must say that I NEVER eat like this anymore!  After struggling to lose weight and researching nutrition and food intolerances I've come to the conclusion that this is not a healthy choice for me.  I've discovered that grains tend to aggravate my system, not to mention the carb-induced cravings, and after trying to figure out how to eat "whole foods" and less processed foods - I realized that separating the egg white from the yolk probably isn't the way nature intended.  

I have since adopted a mostly grain-free diet and try to eat whole, less processed foods.  My calories and fat grams have gone up while my carb level has decreased.  I am 10 pounds lighter to date and feel much better overall.  

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This is what I cook myself for breakfast at least 6 times a week. It's quick and easy to make, filling, tastes good, and at almost 350 calories it fits into the day perfectly.

The Most Filling Oatmeal Breakfast

Ingredients:

1/2 cup dry old fashioned oatmeal
1 cup water
1/4 - 1/2 cup egg whites or 1 egg
1 banana
1/2 cup nonfat milk

Directions:

Combine oatmeal and water in a medium to large microwaveable bowl and microwave for 1 minute.  Stir in egg whites and cook for another minute.  Add mashed or chopped banana and stir in milk.

Sometimes I change it up a bit like adding cinnamon, a handful of chopped walnuts, replace the banana with blueberries or a chopped apple.  And sometimes I'll make a big batch of steel cut oats and freeze individual servings.

There is seriously nothing more filling for so few calories. 

I love cold cereal but I've learned that it's just too easy to pour a second bowl.

(And by second I mean fourth.)