David Gillespie - Sugar Addicted Vegan

01 Feb 2011 6:59 PM

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Message # 513932

Deleted user

So, I've read both books and it is starting to make sense for me.

About 4 and a 1/2 years ago I gave up dairy, which cleared up the chronic allergic rhinitis I had suffered all my life. Then 6 months later I gave up all animal products and meat (with the exception of honey) and only ate vegan foods. Felt great...for a while, but then I discovered all these wonderful vegan foods...biscuits, cakes, muffins, soy icecream etc. Guess what? They are all laden with sugar!

I've had a baby in that time too, so I easily blamed that for not being able to lose weight. I've lost weight in the past (at Weight Watchers) but gained it all back within a year or so.

Then I saw it, on my mum's bookshelf "Sweet Poison". If the contents of the book(s) are true then I shudder to think what I am doing to my 2 and a 1/2 year old daughter - she has a sweet tooth like me. My partner thinks I'm a bit crazy (he thought that when I went vegan too but has gotten used to it).

My question is this: I am keen to go cold turkey but do I change my daughter's diet at the same time?

Regards, Jennifer

02 Feb 2011 1:31 AM

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Reply # 513959 on 513932

Deleted user

Welcome and congrats on taking that first step. I have a 2.5year old and a 4year old and you know what I found it pretty easy! They love all the treats I make up for them. I do like cooking and I basically make up a batch of say muffins or something and keep most of them in the freezer and take one out for morning tea for them or something, they also love the ice cream! I'm the main shopping and cook so I can somewhat control what they eat. If I need to sweeten anything I just add dextrose and both kids haven't really complained about any of the sweet stuff. Both my kids love their crackers so I just make sure I choose ones that are low in sugar (most of the Aldi products are low in sugar). When the kids go to parties or are offered sugared things I'm not too strict because I know they don't get that stuff very often, and party food is for parties. There is heaps of options for kids these days, and if you cook you can make just about anything. Easiest thing to do is make things in batches and freeze, comes in handy for day care and when your out and about.

02 Feb 2011 12:58 AM

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Reply # 513979 on 513932

Deleted user

Thanks for the tips Janelle.

I've pretty much decided now that I will stop eating sugar from this weekend, and so will my daughter. She'll just have to eat what I give her. I love cooking and baking so will have to check out the recipes section for sure. And as for my partner, we'll I don't think I will be able to convince him to give up his Bundy & cola and chocolate just yet!

02 Feb 2011 5:40 PM

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Reply # 514583 on 513932

Deleted user

Cograts on making that decision. You'll find heaps of recipes in the free forum http://sweetpoison.myfreeforum.org/forum4.php&sid=d99009d8712ecc4cd644e2e8bd713c58, I've posted heaps of recipes including a lovely recipe for baked beans. My hubby isn't fructose free but he doesn't really have much sugar anyway well not in sweets. Bourbon is still OK it's just the mixers that contain the sugar so diet coke is the next best option, but I switched to diet coke quite a few years ago and it's quite nice with rum and vodka. I don't think there is any substitute for chocolate other then using the 80% or 90% cocoa version (although on the free forum there is a recipe to make your own chocolate, I've made it once and it tastes great! Although I just need to perfect it a little more). Kids won't starve themselves, they eat when they need to eat so I don't think you'll have any problems. Does your daughter like eggs? Eggs are great for kids they contain heaps of vitmains and protein which is good for those kids who don't eat meat. I'm always baking (which the kids love helping with), and they love the cakes and biscuits (which I sometimes give them for morning or afternoon tea).

02 Feb 2011 2:11 PM

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Reply # 514642 on 513932

Deleted user

Yes, my daughter loves eggs..especially scrambled ones her dad makes with bacon and onion.

Eating at home will not be a problem (if it's not there, then we can't eat it). But what about visiting grandparents and other relatives? My sister loves giving my daughter sweet treats, chocolate etc. I am concerned I may end up offending my sister by telling her we are not eating sugar anymore.

02 Feb 2011 7:32 PM

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Reply # 514652 on 513932

Deleted user

Yeah this is where it can become a problem. My inlaws are also fructose free so that side is fine, my parents however are still sugar eaters and I don't think they'll ever give anything like this a go. I usually see my family once a week on Saturday afternoons for afternoon tea. When I go I always make up a batch of something and take along with me for me and the kids to eat (usually along the lines of a cake, like chocolate cake, all kids love chocolate cake lol). I don't usually see them that often otherwise so I don't fret too much when they are given anything else sweet as long as it's only a tiny amount and it stays at one piece otherwise they usually get crackers or chips or a piece of cheese. I have told everyone that I'm sugar free and they respect that, they try to cater for me as much as possible which I think is great a big step for them. A good option to give kids is those Arnotts Shapes, I get the individual packets and the kids love them and as a snack or treat they are good also potato chips are fantastic as a treat for kids and they have no sugar (although some flavours do contain sugar, chicken, salt and pepper plus plain are ok). Chocolate can be the worst part but the lindt 80% or the 90% stuff isn't too bad if your only giving them 1 square.

09 Jun 2011 11:06 PM

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Reply # 617555 on 513932

Deleted user

Hi Iam also vegan / vegetarian I have chooks and I eat their eggs as they are very happy loved chooks and why throw out good eggs, I also eat fish ,no dairy though, i drink soya milk but that has raw sugar in it, so what is best to have ? also the great vegan books do use a lot of grain and sugar , maple syrup, I would have thought honey was an ok substitute.it's hard to know what to do. Have you found a happy medium ?