Refined Sugar and Me in 2017 -- Week One: The Experiment Begins

There is a smarter way to approach refined sugar 2017 week, and it starts with knowing a few key details. This guide covers them, along with tips you can apply immediately.

Key Takeaways

• Blame it on the sugar. 🙂 So here's the off the top of my head version, and we'll continue unpacking this over the next few months.
• Worth noting: so here's what I'm doing I'm giving up desserts with refined sugar, and most processed foods with added sugar.
• More importantly, not going away, guys.
• Lightly salted bagged popcorn is my fiber filled friend, canned beans are a time saver, and bread and bacon bits are excellent, in moderation.

Tips That Make a Difference

So I'm seriously limiting refined sugar this year I've tried giving up (most) refined sugar before, and made it two months and down 12 pounds earlier this year -- which is when I felt excellent, relaxed my guard, fell of the wagon, went sugar crazy over the holidays, and now am back where I started. I'm now four days in to trying this again, and am so far down three pounds (yes, even after our New Year's Steakstravaganza) and just slightly irritable.

I figure that posting here and checking in occasionally with you guys will assist me with accountability, and also that some of you might be interested in playing along. Some of the aspects I'll be talking about here include: Balanced snack concepts Reading material How it's going What's been frustrating Affordable whole foods Reading food labels and finding alternatives And I'd love to hear experiences and suggestions from you guys along the method!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

This broad sugar-y theme will also influence some of the newer blog topics for the New Year, like certain of the Make It or Purchase It posts. So here's what I'm not doing I'm not substituting in artificial sugars, I'm not avoiding carbs in general or natural sugars, and I'm not cutting out all processed foods, just most of them. Fruit?

After a month or so I also intend to begin adding minimal sugars back in (a little local honey in a homemade marinade or dressing, for instance). I'm also not interested in being militant about this.

Is Refined Sugar 2017 Week Worth It?

Remember that even Costco rotisserie chicken has added sugar -- but at .5 g per serving and given how far one stretches, I'm OK with that. Potatoes and strawberries and rotisserie chicken don't trigger sugar cravings and mindless eating for me, but crackers and cookies and cereal do.

Your experience may be different. And, I won't be stopping with the weekly ALDI meal plans. (But note that I've consistently tried to weight the bulk of that ALDI meal plan budget towards fresh meat, dairy, and produce over processed packaged goods).

Where the Real Savings Hide

As a rule, so who's trying this with me? If your experience parallels mine at all, the first week of sugar withdrawal will be especially bad -- with days 2-3 being the worst.

Here's just a taste what you might get: Stabbing headaches Crazy hunger pangs Irritability Body aches Last time I gave this a try, though, I felt excellent a couple weeks in. Here's a taste of what you might get: More energy Better digestion Better mood No mid-afternoon slump And -- take this from someone who hasn't been skinny for 35 years -- you might see some weight loss, without being hungry all the time.

A Closer Look at Refined Sugar 2017 Week

In short, last time I tried this, I dropped the most weight in the first week but then it continued to come off slowly and steadily after that. So everyone's different Sugar is my downfall, but it might not be yours.

I know it's super trite to talk about this in January, but it's been in the back of my mind all through the craziness of the holiday season -- and I figure I can't be the only one. 🙂 What's your own eating plan for the New Year? Follow weekly updates on my journey to limit refined sugar here. ...

What to Know About Refined Sugar 2017 Week

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on refined sugar 2017 week?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. I'm now four days in to trying this again, and am so far down three pounds (yes, even after our New Year's Steakstravaganza) and just slightly irritable.

Is it worth shopping around for refined sugar 2017 week?

Usually yes. I figure that posting here and checking in occasionally with you guys will assist me with accountability, and also that some of you might be interested in playing along.

What should I check before buying?

Read the terms, confirm any code still works, and factor in shipping or returns. Some of the aspects I'll be talking about here include: Balanced snack concepts Reading material How it's going What's been frustrating Affordable whole foods Reading food labels and finding alternatives And I'd love to....

Smart Ways to Save More on Refined Sugar 2017 Week

• Stack a coupon code with an existing sale whenever the store allows it.
• Sign up for the retailer newsletter to catch first time and seasonal discounts.
• Compare the final price including shipping, not just the headline number.
• Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.
• Time non urgent purchases around major sale events for the deepest cuts.

Final Thoughts

Put these ideas to work and refined sugar 2017 week gets a lot less expensive. Bookmark this page, check back for fresh deals, and let the savings do the talking.

Originally published at mashupmom.com.