Why We Go a Month Without Sugar

I am so excited about this post and season in our lives. It doesn't seem like it's been almost a year since we last did a 30 Day No Sugar Challenge but it has! 
This year Rod and I decided to start a month of no sugar sort of spontaneously. I had planned on doing it again in October, like last year. But we've been making some changes in our home anyway and this felt like a necessary step. And so we started yesterday, officially, which is in the middle of the month (the 22nd to be exact). We're not even sure when the 'end' date will be. This year is more about making permanent changes in our eating habits than making it through 30 days. 


If you're curious, you can read all about our 30 Day No Sugar Challenge here. 

I get asked a lot why we would even go without sugar. And, honestly, I get a lot of strange looks! The whole reason we're doing this month is because we eat a lot more sugar than we should! I know families that eat a lot less than we do (and never buy HFCS)....and I want to be them! :-) 


In reality though, refined and processed white sugar is basically a poison to your body. Yes, I said poison. It's not nutritious. It actually does your body harm. I recently read two, unrelated articles, that both compared refined sugar to the process of making heroin. You can find those here and here. And the real problem is that we consume HUGE amounts of it on a daily basis. A 44oz fountain drink can contain 43tsp of sugar! I don't know about you, but I would love to drink a 44oz every day. I love soda. And that's a problem. 


It's a problem mainly because refined sugar is also addictive. Try going without your basic sugar-y foods for one day and see how you feel. Yesterday Rod said he actually craved M&Ms (he's been off sugar for a few days now). He doesn't crave candy because it's a basic, necessary food his body needs. He craves it (and I do too!) because it's addictive and at some point this month we'll all go through withdrawal cravings. 

I'm shocked sometimes how mad people get when I say this. But I often find two things. One, have they done any research at all? Usually not. Or sometimes it seems like they've only done one sided research. Two, people don't always want to change and they are afraid. I've been there. I don't want to hear that sugar may be bad for me because then I might have to give it up. I understand that. So let me do all the work for you, ok? If you think I'm crazy, just tune in to my month of no sugar. At the end, you can decide if it makes sense or not. No pressure, just reading along :-) 


For some of you moms (and dads!) out there who are already living without sugar, I fully expect your advice and comments this month! How do you do it? How do you handle situations with other families? What foods do you buy? All of it, please share! 


So, I think that will be all for now. As I continue to do research I'll share links or book titles so you can follow along, if you'd like. I'll also share all the good times and mishaps that tend to go along with any endeavor. Hope you enjoy and see you soon!