When the calendar flipped, I issued a challenge on my social media page titled ‘No Sugar November’. The challenge to my followers was simple: agree to consume no sugar or anything that contains sugar for this month or face the consequences, which are to do 50 burpees every time they fail to stay away from anything with the contents of the sweet crystals.
I do not know how many participants would be able to go a full month without consuming sugar but what I do know is there will be numerous health benefits for those who do.
The ‘No Sugar November’ challenge is a great way to give our bodies a little detox before the Christmas season. In Guyana, Christmas is a time to enjoy, eat, drink and be merry. If you like to still be super strict at Christmas, well I’m happy for you. But for me, it’s all about doing what I don’t do all year around, sit, eat, drink and relax on my diet. I have learned to be able to do all this without abusing and yet not saying no to anything I wanted.
Having a very clean diet in November helped me as well to have the option to go a bit crazier in December. But be cautious, there’s no doubt that consuming too much added sugar harms your overall health.
Unfortunately, most people consume far too much added sugar in the form of sweet drinks, candy, pastries, sugary breakfast cereals, and more. Cutting back on added sugar is important, as excessive consumption is linked to an increased risk of certain health conditions, including fatty liver, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
Foods and beverages high in added sugar tend to be rich in calories yet low in filling nutrients like protein and fibre. For this reason, a diet high in sugary foods has been linked to weight gain.
High added sugar intake is also associated with elevated visceral fat, the type of fat that sits around your organs. Having increased visceral fat is strongly correlated to increased disease risk.
Cutting out sources of added sugar may help you lose weight, especially when paired with a nutrient-dense diet that’s high in protein and fibre.
SAY YES TO:
Fresh vegetables and fruits
Natural dried fruit (no sugars added), for example, dates, raisins, cranberries, dried mango, etc
Whole foods
Healthy carbs like sweet potatoes.
FOLLOW THESE TIPS:
Stay hydrated
Keep active
Avoid alcohol as it will just enhance your sweet cravings
Drink smoothies
Eat healthy fats such as nut butters, or a handful of nuts and seeds
If you find yourself craving something sweet: eat fruit, dates, a rice cake, have a glass of water, go for a walk, have a bath, call a friend and have a good talk.
SAY NO TO:
Products with added sugar. Check labels and ensure you eat no syrups, glucose, stevia
Artificial sweeteners
Honey
Maple syrup
White bread, white pasta or white rice
Store-bought sauces or dressings with include sugar in their ingredients
I have now issued the challenge to you readers. Even if you already had some sugar over the last five days, stop now. Give it a shot and join the ‘No Sugar November’ train. Feel free to email me about your experience.
