We Quit Sugar: Here’s What Happened

When we quit sugar in February, some interesting things happened. Some I expected, others caught me by surprise.

The whole family got on board with this experiment and we were successful. But to make this a long-term solution, we had to figure out ways to LIVE sugar-free, not just temporarily eliminate it. 

This long-term plan has revealed some great benefits, and some challenges. And we’ve had some stumbles along the way. 

Cravings

I don’t physically crave sugar anymore. I do still have that mental addiction, the one that nags at me while I’m watching New Girl on Netflix. Cooooookies, it says. But when I take a moment to think about it, I realize that’s just a habitual reaction. I used to enjoy sweets while watching television. It was a part of my routine. So that mental reflex will take a while to change. But the physical desire has faded. 

Substitutions

When I do have that mental desire, I can satiate it if I really want to. Because there are SO many substitutes for added refined sugar. Coconut sugar is a big one. Maple syrup, honey. Making your own treats at home, or buying from companies that don’t use cane sugar (like Siete, Simple Mills or Lily’s) is a great way to keep you from feeling deprived. I would never recommend deprivation in any form. In my experience, that leads to more of a mental need, as the rebel chick within fires up and screams, YOU CAN’T TELL ME NOT TO EAT THE FLAN!

The Kids

They are alright. I can see your face now, when I told you I was eliminating sugar from ALL of our diets. Including the kids. It’s so interesting how sugar has been integrated into our lives as a function of reward. Another year older? Have a cake. Graduation? Cake. Soccer team won? Cake. Every single freaking party at school? Cookies and donuts and cake. It’s everywhere. And I’m not planning on taking those away from my kids. Once the world opens back up again and that scenario presents itself, they will make their own choices in the moment. But to have all that AND have sugar at home is overkill. 

Physical Changes

Since we started this journey in January, I’ve lost an inch off my belly. This is likely not just from eliminating sugar, as we’ve also been incorporating yoga into our routine three times per week. Since that is a strength training exercise, it’s likely a result of the yoga. However, several studies have concluded that eating sugar is associated with abdominal fat and a fatty liver (hepatic steatosis), since sugar is inflammatory. 

Menstrual Cycle

Since cutting out sugar, my menstrual cycle has been more tolerable. The time frame has gotten longer, which is good, since some studies have linked the number of ovulations a woman has during her lifetime to an increased risk of ovarian cancer. And I have less pain on Day 1.

The first month I cut out sugar was, obviously, the hardest. While my cycle is longer now, that first month, I was interrupted by an 18-Day Cycle. It was strange for me, since I’m generally so regular, and also frightening. 

As I said, the pain of Day 1 has been alleviated. HOWEVER. If I waver from this no-sugar commitment, as I did in April (damn mini eggs at Easter!), Day 1 pain is astronomically worse. I’m not kidding. That first cycle after Easter was so painful. I broke down and took ibuprofen, which I try to stay away from. And I used the heating pad on it ALL DAY, and still the pain persisted. This, at least, is a strong motivation for me to stay off the sugar. The memory of that pain is potent.

I now realize that the sugar I consume has a HUGE affect on my cycle. And as you know, I believe a woman’s cycle can be a clear indication of her overall health. When you mess with the uterus, you mess with much more.

Sleep

The first few days after quitting sugar, I slept really well and woke up refreshed. I patted myself on the back, telling myself this is how I will sleep on the regular now that I’ve quit sugar. Then, on days three and four, I woke up in the middle of the night and had a really hard time going back to sleep. This is not normal for me. I typically get tired around 9:30 and go to sleep around 10. Then I wake up at 7 or 7:30 ish, most days. I never have trouble with insomnia. 

However, this is what happens when you kick addiction, in general. And sugar is an addiction. Sugar withdrawal is very real and can affect your body.

It was only those two nights, however. After that I went back to my regular pattern.

Symptoms I Did Not Have

Some studies suggest quitting sugar could also result in headaches, lack of energy, nausea, stomach cramps or irritability, during the time when you are coming off the drug. I don’t recall any of this, to be honest. Studies also show that, after your body is rid of the sugar, brain activity becomes more strong. I don’t actually feel confident that has happened either.