As many people that follow me on Twitter (@AmiRoseBlog) will know, I’ve given up refined sugar for lent. Yep, I’m crazy! I’ve planned a few posts for throughout my ‘journey’ because yes, it really is a journey. For anyone that thinks giving up sugar is easy, think again! I went to my local Tesco last week for well over an hour, reading every. damn. label. to evaluate the ingredients. I bought less than 10 things and it cost me over £16 so I can’t imagine this is going to be a cheap six weeks. Although most of the things I bought should last the duration. No more eyeing up the reduced sections for bread and cakes, I can’t have any of it.
I’ve got another post coming on more ‘fancy’ lunch ideas but I wanted to focus this post on quick sugar free lunch ideas that you can throw together with very little ingredients. As you can see, these have all been ‘desk meals’ for me.
Sugar Free Lunch 1
Ryvita Dark Rye Crispbreads, Cathedral City Extra Mature Cheddar, Tesco Mixed Crispy Salad, Carrot Sticks, Tesco Red Pepper Hummus.
Sugar Free Lunch 2
Princes Tuna in Brine (1/2 tin), Spar Crispy Salad Bowl, Holland and Barrett Salad Sprinkle* (hulled pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and pine kernels).
Sugar Free Lunch 3
Ryvita Dark Rye Crispbreads, Wyke Farms Cheddar, Sainsbury’s Sweet Bistro Salad, Cherry Tomatoes, Tesco Unsalted Nuts Selection.
Sugar Free Lunch 4
Vogel’s Soya and Linseed Loaf with Cooked Chicken and Mixed Salad (I’m struggling with the no sauce thing, even mayonnaise contains sugar), Carrot Sticks, Tesco Moroccan Hummus, Forest Feast Sri Lanka Kandy Mix* (pineapple, toasted coconut, roasted almonds and cashews).
Sugar Free Lunch 5
Jacket Potato, Princes Tuna (1/2 tin), Spar Crispy Salad Bowl, Holland and Barrett Salad Sprinkle (hulled pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and pine kernels).
I don’t feel that I’ve been suffering too badly, I’ve made sure to include good fats such as cheese or nuts which will keep me fuller for longer and have helped curb cravings. I haven’t included any fruit this week (except for the one bit of pineapple) as when you give up sugar, you should also give up fruit for the first week otherwise you body will still crave sugars. I’ll be introducing fructose back into my diet slowly as of Monday.
So far so good though, the first three days were lethal, I was naughty and binged for about a week before lent as I knew I was going to have to go six weeks without it, probably not the best idea. I feel SO good for it though, I’ve got loads of energy and my skin is clearing up too. Here’s to the next 5 weeks!
Have you tried giving up sugar? How did it go? Any useful tips for me?
Until next time,
Fashion and Frappes says
This sounds damn hard but maybe I will give it a try! Thanks for this!
http://www.fashionandfrappes.com
Ami Rose says
It's really hard but really worth it. Good luck.
Ami xxx
vanilla drxps says
The ryvita rye crisp breads look really nice!! I've given up sweets and crisps for lent which is hard, but it can't be as hard as refined sugar!! X
Ami Rose says
They are nice, especially with cheese or Philadelphia spread.
Ami xxx
Kads Life says
So many things contain sugar don't they. Must be really hard. Did you watch Sugar Free Farm?
Kads 🙂
http://www.kadslife.blogspot.com
Ami Rose says
It's amazing once you start looking into it, it makes it so awkward to eat out! Yes I did watch it and really enjoyed it, did you?
Ami xxx