Sugar Substitute - A practical way to give up processed sugar!!

I love this Marie Antionette picture......and for many MANY years have lived for the hunt of sugar, like a heat seeking missile!!  Sugar in all it's vessels was my focus....cakes, pastries, chocolate, biscuits....I LOVED them all....and in sizeable quantities. 

For the context of this blog, the sugar I speak of is white processed sugar.  It's highly processed, heat treated, stripped of nutrients and pretty addictive wouldn't you say?  Some of the side effects of processed sugar include; fatigue and adrenal weakness, feeding internal parasites, one teaspoon is said to set the immune system back three and a half hours and there are PLENTY more reasons to cut the stuff out!!

In my case, sugar had me on an energy roller coaster.  Trying to stay awake in the afternoon was almost impossible, I would crawl home from work and have to have a power snooze.  In addition, my digestive system was hardly functioning, on a daily basis I was bloated and had sharp abdominal pains.

Although the addiction to sugar is a multi-faceted beast (habit and emotional attachment are often deeply ingrained), the main thing that helped wedge a gap between me and my sweet friend, was to get practical.  I outwitted my cravings by making better choices.  Every time I fell off the wagon, I was kind to myself and I got back on.  And if I fancied a piece of chocolate cake, I had a piece, I enjoyed every bite, I didn't feel guilty and I didn't gorge, because I gave up the fight!! 

Here is a list of goodies you can stock up on which will help you in your hour of need.  Since choosing sweet alternatives I have had more energy, feel more relaxed, have smoother healthier skin and I would hope it is delaying my wrinkle collection (processed sugar speeds up wrinkles).  Sugar can also wreak havoc with hormones and leave you full of the grumps!!


One final note, although natural alternatives and i.e. Raw chocolate have less of a downside than processed sugar, try and keep in mind it's still a treat.  Loading up on good healthy veggies and good quality protein (nuts, seeds, organic eggs and meat in moderation) helps keep hunger at bay meaning you are less likely to go off squirelling!!

Here is the top 10!

1. Take the stone out of a date and insert a brazil nut before inserting the shrivelled delight into your mouth.  It's genius.  The fat of the nut and sweetness of the date is extremely satisfying to curb two common cravings!!

2. Licorice tea (Licorice tea root as loose leaf or licorice tea bags).  Ever get those sweet urges after eating a meal causing you to go on a hunt just like a busy squirrel frantically collecting his nuts before winter?  I think it's habit, based on growing up having a dessert after most meals!!  Having a cup of licorice tea provides the sweetness but also gives your body time to register the meal and feel full and starts to break the habit!  It can taste a bit strong for some people, however hang in there, have a couple of cups and you'll notice the sweet after taste is a winner (you could also add a teaspoon of raw organic honey to the tea)!
3. Fruit!!!  Although not such a great idea straight after eating a meal (fruit is best eaten on it's own as it digests quickly and can ferment and cause gas if stuck behind other food in your digestive system).  Fruit is fab mid morning or afternoon when you get the need for a little something!! Bananas, oranges, mangoes (delish), blueberries.....eat your heart out!!
4. Organic natural yoghurt (watch out for added sugar, always read the container, it should just have organic full fat milk and probiotic cultures) with a sprinkle of cinnamon, dried ginger and a teaspoon of raw organic honey.  Try some shredded coconut, chopped nuts (brazil, walnut, almonds, cashews) and seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, sesame) for some texture!
5. Raw organic honey (the raw part means the vitamins and minerals remain in tact so it actually provides nutrients for you) in tea, or just eat a teaspoonful when you get the urge.  

6. Raw dark chocolate such as loving earth or conscious chocolate.  Conscious chocolate is my favourite, it's quite rich so a couple of squares with a good coffee or tea will suffice.  They have a company in Australia and the UK.  Personal favourite flavours include nuts or coconut and goji berry!!  Yum.
7. Use raw organic sugar, called Panela or Rapadura which is pure dried sugar cane juice.  It is much less processed than white sugar which means it has nutrients (including vitamins A, some B complex, C, D and E as well as minerals potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc and manganese).  You can also try coconut sugar and stevia (both available at your local health food store).
8. Stewed fruit.  Cut apple and pear into bitesize pieces.  Place in a saucepan with a glug of raw organic honey, half teapoon of cinnamon and sprinkle of dried ginger and a splash of water.  Put the lid on and turn the heat on low.  Allow to gently steam / heat through for about 20 minutes (until your chosen softness) and then eat with goji berries, chopped nuts (brazil, walnut, cashew, almond), seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, sesame) and blueberries.  It's delicious.  You can keep the cooled stewed fruit in the fridge for a few days and pull it out when you need a snack, or dollop a spoonful on top of your porridge in the morning, delicious!
9. Emma and Tom bars are good as they are full of clean ingredients.
10. Have a bowl of porridge with stewed or dried fruit, honey, nuts, seeds, flaxseed and tahini for breakfast, as a dessert or even as a meal if you're just feeling a little peckish.  Porridge recipes coming in a blog post soon.

Some other good resources to help with food ideas include Lee Holmes and Sarah Wilson's blog.


Do you have any other good tips?  Let me know how you go xx