Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Sugar-free and patting myself on the back


I read this health book called Ultra-Prevention. It recommends a special 6-week diet in which you eliminate refined and processed foods, hydrogenated oils, milk, and sugar (including brown sugar, honey, molasses, maple syrup, and even certain fruits like bananas and pineapple), and severely reduce saturated fats (butter, etc). It promises to cure chronic diseases and prevent nearly everything else.

So, wanting more energy and less acne, I decided to try it. (For those of you who have never suffered from acne, I spit upon you. Just kidding, Lynsey, you know I love you.)

I am proud to say I'm in the middle of week three of this diet, folks. It's been tough, but my skin is clearer (although I did get one new pimple at the beginning of week 2 which nearly kicked me off the diet in a fit of rage), and I don't feel like I have to take a nap every afternoon (not that I could very often, but I always wanted one).

So, if you want to be healthier, I highly recommend this book. Mom, I know you think only crazy people drink soy milk, but you'll be getting this book for Mother's Day, and I'm sure it will change your mind.

13 comments:

LD said...

I'm very proud of you!! You have the will-power of a mule.

You know I couldn't go without sugar for longer than 35 minutes, but you have inspired me to read the book and make some modifications to my lifestyle.

Phoebe said...

So-what do you eat?
I've tried similar diets and I think they work-until I fall off the wagon and have to start all over again. The joy of human nature...

Charlotte said...

Phoebe, I eat fruits and vegetables, whole grain bread I make myself, brown rice, beans (especially black beans), lots of yellow corn tortilla chips with home-made guacamole, peanut butter, salmon, eggs...there's lots I can eat. I'm hoping at the end of the six weeks I don't go on a month long sugar binge.

Jamie said...

Oh skin how I love you. Acne and wrinkles. It just ain't right.

Jamie said...

I was talking about my face not yours - just to clarify. :)

DocMisty said...

Speaking of spitting, I started laughing so hard when I read your post, I almost spit out my mouthful of licorice. Of course, that makes me guilty of the sugar-charged American diet. Hey, sugar is vegan, so I'm good.

Ok, I'm actually afraid to read the book, because then I'll feel obligated to tackle my candy addiction. Sigh. I really should.

I know. If you lived closer, you could nag me into doing it. :-) You have a ton of will power! Go girl!

Misty

Kristyn said...

Will it get rid of my headaches? Oh yeah, and the acne... UUgghh! I just don't know that I am disciplined enough to do it. You are a strong woman!!! Do you only have to do it 6 weeks or for life?

Charlotte said...

Misty-Had I known what this book was before I picked it up, I wouldn't have read it for the sugar reason. However, having read it and tried it, now I have the courage to read the China Study! Especially since it allows sugar ;) Please move here so I can nag you.

Charlotte said...

Lil' Bohemian--Acne coinciding with wrinkles is a crying shame, and I am talking about my face.

Charlotte said...

Kristyn--you remind me of my mom in some ways, so my guess is your headaches are stress related and not diet related. But, this book has tips on managing stress, so you should read it.

I don't have a hard copy of the book yet (I listened to it, and that led to gaps in what I heard thanks to the kids), so my impression was that the six-week diet is supposed to help you feel so good you incorporate it into your life forever. However, no one who has access to sugar can go without it forever (in my opinion), so I hope I can just eat less of it after the 6 weeks are over.

Jarad said...

We recently did a 'sugar detox'. We now eat some sugar but we eat way less than we used to. After going without for awhile, too much sugar makes you feel blah.

Jamie said...

Char, I saw your 5 star ranking on this book on Good Reads so I went to the library and picked up. It sat in the house until it was overdue. I just happened to return it to the library this morning, unread. I looked at it enough to know that it was going to take some dramatic changes to follow. You know, sometimes you're just ready for a big change and sometimes you're not. Getting the whole family in on it is the tricky part.
p.s. I don't remember you every having acne.

nanci said...

I'm finally getting around to checking your blog again. Sounds like you've had a fun holiday time. I did the no-chocolate/no candy thing for 3 months. At first it was hard but after a couple of weeks I only craved chocolate on a couple of very stressful days. I don't think I have the willpower to handle this diet - I have to drink my milk! I do believe that only good can come from eliminating refined sugars from our diets though.