What?...There’s Sugar in That?

If you’re on day 2 of sugar free challenge with us...you might have found yourself asking this same question! While I may not be 100% sugar free in the last 48 hours, my awareness of sugar in foods is growing...and at least that is growth, right?! :)

As I left the house in a hurry for yoga this morning, I grabbed a bottle of Dry Roasted Almonds as some fuel for the day. My willpower was strong and I left that identical jar labeled “Sweet and Salty” Mixed Nut blend (which is my current obsession) right there on the island. An hour later, I threw a handful of these ‘dry roasted almonds’ into my mouth as I ran into the gym for BodyPump. After my Spinning class, I went to grab some more almonds - needed energy - but thought to look at the ingredients, just to check. Lo and Behold....halfway down the ingredients breakdown: SUGAR! Straight up! Why on earth would sugar be needed to dry roast my almonds? Darnit! Foiled again!

But while we’re looking at the ingredients of my almonds....why also are there so many other ingredients. As Kelly so eloquently put it: “The only things listed should be: Almonds, Roasted”. I’d maybe add some salt! But goodness! Now I’ve got to find sugar free ‘dry roasted’ almonds! 

Have any of you had these aha moments? Finding sugar hidden in your daily foods? Is this challenge helping you to check out those ingredients a little closer? 

My Goal for tomorrow: looking at the ingredients BEFORE I pop those snacks in my belly!

Day One - Sugar Free Challenge - Don’t Freak Out!

Today is Day One of the 10 Day Sugar Free Challenge co-hosted by our friend, RunToTheFinish, and My Note to Self Today: Don’t Freak Out! 

Honestly, I don’t eat a lot of added sugar, however, when you get down to line items, as a fitness instructor, I live on protein shakes and energy bars to get me through multiple classes each day. I also rely on sports drinks to replenish all of the electrolytes I’m losing during multiple Spin classes - these three key items in my diet rely on sugar substitutes! So, when I realized that in order to do full sugar free for 10 days, I would have to cut these out of my diet, I freaked out a little. :) 

 After discussing it with ME and Kelly, and being reminded that we each need to do what’s best for our own bodies, I’ve decided to do a modified sugar free cleanse. Because Kelly is focused on building muscle in preparation for competition season, she’s cutting out all sugars and sugar substitutes with the exception of protein shakes. I am going to attempt to do the same. In lieu of my electrolyte drinks, I’m taking Salt/Electrolyte Tabs (which I normally only use during long/hot cardio sessions or during endurance races). To help fuel me through back to back classes at the gym, I’m going to use fruit and nuts. We’ll see how that feels after a few days of my new crazy gym schedule. We’ll keep you posted! Don’t Freak Out! (just a reminder)

 Are you joining us on the sugar free challenge? If so, what are your challenges? What are your plans to overcome them? 

With some prior planning and thought, I know we can do this!