Sugar Farm programme on ITV

[kantara71]

i wonder what others thought about the above programme that was shown on ITV on tuesday night? it got me emptying the food cupboard out to check the sugar levels on everything !! I don't take sugar in drinks or drink pop etc but i am definitely going to check just how much i do consume - John

[jossy35 1 stone]

Enjoyed it - having recently been diagnosed as diabetic, it has woken me up to the amount of sugar and rubbish that is in some of our food. Interesting about the programme really. The 'mood' thing - what a difference it makes to some people when their sugar is reduced. The chap (can't remember his name) must really be dependent on it. I wonder what people a couple of hundred years ago would have made of it? Having to show people how to cook fresh food! Looking forward to the next one...

[nhs2015 in reply to jossy35]

The mood thing and hyperactivity in children, jossy. I used to work in a school and our little darlings on red cordial and junk food were climbing the curtains. Also their attention span was zilch.

[asics]

Hi John I recorded it and am going to watch today.

I am also going to watch a programme / lecture available on you tube that has been recommended to me 'sugar, the bitter truth. '

This week I decided to try and give up sugar one day at a time. I am on day 3. I have been unable to sleep so have read 'the sweet poison'. Very good read if you like that sort of stuff.

There are quite a few people on here I have discovered who have managed to give up sugar successfully so they are my champions!

I will watch it today and let you know a view!! 😊

[AJC1957 in reply to asics]

Look at the low GI diet my husband , who is diabetic has been recommended it and it seems to be working- his bloods have been much lower

[bakersdozen in reply to asics]

Sorry Asics I have let you down I seem to always eat a tiny bit of sugary foods. I better stop!

[asics in reply to bakersdozen]

You haven't let me down! I am sure that 1. You are more mindful about what sugar you are eating. 2. You are eating less than you were. 😊

however i will stop whispering in you ear and start shouting.... something like: REALLY?! REALLY?! YOU ARE REALLY GOING TO EAT THAT?!

Ha ha just kidding! Keep mindful and happy!😊

[asics in reply to asics]

Bakersdozen, you see that funny little ! 😊 after point 1.? Well those blighters were meant to be at the end of the message after 'happy'. What system gremlin moved them?!?!

[bakersdozen in reply to asics]

Asics thanks you are so encouraging! No wonder why I listen to you! This is so scary I have cctv in my place so you can see everything that I eat as you seem to know that I am more mindful and I eat much less ! The truth you are so right! I better be careful next time!

[bakersdozen in reply to asics]

Asics if you go next to the like there is a v right click it and than you will see edit. That is how you can change your post.

[asics in reply to bakersdozen]

I like that! Thank you!

[nhs2015 in reply to bakersdozen]

You should bakersdozen. It is very important.

[nhs2015 in reply to asics]

Asics, you are doing it the hard way. I command you for it because I couldn't do it. Instead, I changed to Natvia which is sweeter, so went from two spoons to 1/3 of a teaspoon and because I cancel most the added sugar in my food I just weened myself of sugar easyly. Now, my consumption of sugar is mainly natural and in a healthy and safe quantity. I suppose youcould say I am off sugar. It is magic.

[asics in reply to nhs2015]

Great work! I love that so many people on here have managed to do this successfully, i find it really motivating. How long did it take you to be sugar free? Have you noticed lots of benefits?

I am an all or nothing kind of gal! Until i have something under control, i just struggle with anything in moderation. Hence the total dry days and now sugar.

I haven't found the last 2 days hard as I am eating so little due to being poorly and not feeling like anything sweet. It seemed like a good time to cut it out so hopefully I will have gone through any withdrawal nasties before my appetite returns. (Well that's my theory!?! )

I have also found Dave's mantra / pledge setting brilliant... Just one thing. Just for a day.

Thinking I am just not having sugar, just for today works with my mind. Especially as there are so many scrumptious other things to have. But we'll see how I go. If this doesn't work I will definitely attempt to reduce it gradually. It is one of my health goals for this year! 😊

[nhs2015 in reply to asics]

Asics, 1) loss weight. 2) developed my taste buds and appreciate food more. 3) more relaxed and happy. 4) no more joints pain ( I am not sure if it is the sugar or eating lots of fish) perhaps half half !

I started using Natvia instead of sugar maybe 2 years ago after reading a book about sugar. However I really stopped using or extremely reducing my sugar intake when I started my weight loss journey a year ago. Doing the 12 week program, I ate a lot of healthy meals and had no room for sweet stuff. I think changing my diet was a natural process in reducing sugar intake. It must have taken maybe 6 weeks? Couple of months? Hard to say because it disappeared quietly. I still have cravings now and again but then I am human. My taste bud have changed. I was surprised to find flavours in things. I also would notice milk would taste sweet as well as other food stuff. I a more sensitive to sugar now and appreciate each food.

The main bonus is : I lost weight !!!!!! I also think I am more agreeable, more relaxed, things don't bother me so much. I am happier.

Check your food labels when shopping, you will be surprised how much sugar is added on to all our food.

[asics in reply to nhs2015]

So many benefits - again, well done. And thank you for sharing your story.

I know when I have given it up before, to reduce calories rather than anything else, I found almonds much , much sweeter.

There seems to be such momentum gathering, I wonder, is this where we were with smoking - say in the late 70s?

[djas]

Hi John i thought it was very interesting and it just shows what coca cola does to your body when you see Jennifer Ellison as she suffers sugar withdrawal. I think she had a bit of a shock when she was told that she consumed the most sugar out of all of them as she probably doesn't eat that much but its all coming from fizzy pop!

[Zest Healthy BMI in reply to djas]

Hi Djas,

Just wanted to add that she also was choosing chocolate and candy bars inbetween her dance lesson teaching - so she really was having quite a lot of sugar as well as from the fizzy pop.

John - I think it's a very interesting programme. Really keen to see how it develops.

Lowcal

[kantara71]

Thanks for your comments, i will be interested to see how the science of it all works and what benefits the participants felt at the end of it.

[Zest Healthy BMI in reply to kantara71]

Hi John,

I agree, it will be really interesting to see how it unfolds as time goes on. It's going to be a good series by the looks of it.

Lowcal

[AJC1957]

Same here. I have been shocked to find how much sugar is in everything. Threw out my baked beans, tomatoe sauce and moved to less sugar varieties .

Also have recently moved to more low GI foods which have less instant sugar

[nhs2015 in reply to AJC1957]

Good move AJC

[djas in reply to AJC1957]

Ive bought some heinz baked beans that have 50% less sugar and they taste the same!

[Jellymummy]

Have you guys seen "That Sugar Film" by Damon Gameau? It's based in australia, but it's really interesting as the guy only eats "healthy" foods i.e whole cereals, low fat and diet foods, juices and smoothies. In a month or something like that the results on his body and mind are astonishing!

Well worth the watch for "dieters" or healthy eating pioneers like us!

I don' have a link but I think you can find it on putlocker (a streaming site)

[asics in reply to Jellymummy]

Will watch it today Jeĺlymum. Back to back sugar programmes are sure to take my mind off my poorliness!

[nhs2015 in reply to Jellymummy]

I saw it and I also bought the book (that sugar book) from bookdepository.

It says it all.

[nhs2015]

Sugar is addictive. Unfortunately we have been poisoned for quite a few decades and are now becoming aware. The business companies are fighting back trying to hold on to their money making empire. After all that time, the health funds and health services are seeing the result and may collapse if nothing is done about it.

We are talking about all the added sugar mainly but also natural sugar. Our days we just go and buy. In the past things were not so readily available so making it harder for people to gorge themselves on sweet food.

Good on you John, get rid of that sugar and you will be much happier. You will discover that food taste better as your taste buds will eventually recover.

[Jaibie]

I know I eat far too much sugar. I would be like Jennifer suffering withdrawal symptoms!

[nhs2015 in reply to Jaibie]

Get off that sugar Jaibie. Stop poisoning yourself. It is hard but you can do it.

[bakersdozen in reply to nhs2015]

nhs You are telling me that you never have a biscuits! Well than you are super human! I have to have cakes and biscuits in my house as I am not the only one at home and I admit that sometimes I do cheat!

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to bakersdozen]

The only person you're cheating bd, is yourself. You know you shouldn't be eating those things, because your health really suffers as a result.

I have cakes and biscuits in my house, but I don't eat them and I'm far from super human

[asics in reply to moreless]

Now moreless...you know that's not true! You are ...dun dun dah....Suuuuupeeerrrrr Moreless! 😊 well ... in my eyes anyway. 😀

[bakersdozen in reply to asics]

Moorless you are telling me from one day eating tons of sugary foods to the next day you cut it out?

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to bakersdozen]

Yup!!

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to asics]

LOL! I would look hideous in red tights with my drawers over the top and a pointy bra on me would end up taking the neighbour's eye out!!

[asics in reply to moreless]

Rolling about place laughing!!!. 😀

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to asics]

Hardly the stuff of super women!

[nhs2015 in reply to bakersdozen]

Ah bakersdozen. I have reduced my biscuit intake by 99% I would say. I make a bran and banana cake (muffin) as per week 9? Or 8? of the 12 week program. I swap the sugar for Natvia and have even reduced the amount of Natvia as somehow sweety stuff makes me feel "yucky" . Once in a blue moon I make a chocolate cake and also reduce the sweetness. Somehow it taste good, then I force everyone to have some so there is nothing left and I don't get tempted to finish it.

Very rarely, I have ice cream or a fancy cake and regret it straight away.

[Zest Healthy BMI in reply to nhs2015]

Hi NHS,

I also bake without any added sugar, and the cakes turn out tasty. I do use dried fruits and banana as sweeteners, so they do contain sugar, but they're a lot healthier than my previously sugary cakes would have been. I also use lots of oats in the recipe which is filling and tasty.

I also like the Banana Bran fruit cake that is in the NHS 12 week plan - I think it might be Week 7 of the plan, but not sure.

Lowcal

[nhs2015 in reply to Zest]

Yes lowcal, I am looking at dry fruits too. I have bought a pack (step one).

[LessToLose 2lbs Restart April 2024 in reply to bakersdozen]

Switch to oatcakes, they are yummy!

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to LessToLose]

I looooooove oatcakes!

[LessToLose 2lbs Restart April 2024 in reply to moreless]

I think I keep Nairns in business, lol!

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to LessToLose]

You and me both!

[kantara71 in reply to moreless]

are these oatcakes readily available in the normal supermarkets?

[elliebath Maintainer in reply to kantara71]

Nairn oatcakes, and often supermarkets have their own brand too, are found in the section with Cream Crackers, Water Biscuit , Ryvita etc cuz they are classed as savoury ....

[LessToLose 2lbs Restart April 2024 in reply to kantara71]

Yes, they are, I find them in the savoury biscuits (for cheese) section in my local Tesco.

[kantara71 in reply to LessToLose]

Thank you, I will give them a go

[nhs2015 in reply to LessToLose]

Yes, but but but.... How much added sugar is in it. Check the labelling

[Angie-Tap]

I used to have sugar in tea and coffee, I then went on to sweeteners but didn't like the taste so eventually stopped using them all together. I try to avoid sugar as much as possible and would rather not have low fat foods as they add sugar or sweeteners to make up for the lack of fat/ flavour . I think it's about eating as naturally as possible and cooking from scratch, no processed or ready meals or artificial sweeteners. But the occasional treat doesn't hurt.

[LessToLose 2lbs Restart April 2024]

I gave up sugar entirely last August (just before I began the NHS 12-week plan) and it was hard for a couple of weeks while I went through withdrawal - I was very tetchy and quite bad-tempered which is not me at all! It opened my eyes as to how much I was medicating my emotions with food.

I too was shocked at first at how much sugar is secreted away in almost all processed foods - crazy!

But now, I have no desire for it at all and no cravings at all. I am sure it is one of the things that is helping me with my consistent weight loss.

Books on the subject that I have read:

Year of No Sugar by Eve O Shaub (very entertaining)

Salt, Sugar, Fat by Michael Moss (absolutely eye-opening to the food industry's tactics)

Sweet Poison by David Gillespie (even more entertaining than Year of No Sugar)

Fat Chance by Dr Robert Lustig (the best tome on the subject)

Pure, White and Deadly by John Yudkin and Robert Lustig (not read this one yet)

Here is a link to the Youtube video Sugar, The Bitter Truth with Dr Lustig:

youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua...(Not working as expected?)

[Hidden in reply to LessToLose]

Hi LtL - do you still eat chocolate in its purest form i.e. without sugar?

[LessToLose 2lbs Restart April 2024 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I do - I love the cocoa Nkd bars for instance. I also have some cocoa powder which I can use to make my own chocolate shakes etc.

[Hidden in reply to LessToLose]

I use 'chocolate' a lot as my emotional crutch and I do want to step away.

[LessToLose 2lbs Restart April 2024 in reply to Hidden]

Me too and I was very worried I wouldn't be able to cope, but those Nkd bars saved my sanity. I am not so dependent on them now.

[Penel in reply to LessToLose]

Yudkin's book was originally published in 1972! Unfortunately it was ignored In favour of Key's advice on not eating fat. A real health disaster.

[LessToLose 2lbs Restart April 2024 in reply to Penel]

I know, just goes to show, even the experts get it wrong sometimes! Thankfully they are listening now, at last.

[Ko85]

Hi really enjoyed it. Sugar is something I've considered a bit more recently. I've never physically added sugar to things, but I now make my own pasta sauces, rather than buying jars, as it's a low lower.

[ceejayblue]

Don't forget though that diabetics (as I am) should look at the total carb content on the labels. The "of which sugar" is a bit misleading because sugar is a carb and is already included in the total carb content. Carbs (of all kinds) turn into glucose in the body and that's what we diabetics need to be aware of.

Of course, we all need to reduce our added sugar intake - I love chocolate and fudge and desserts etc but if I want them after a meal, then I cut back on the other carbs (starchy ones) so that I can have them as a treat but that's not every day!

I will be watching the programme later today but although I am all for cutting down on sugary things like sweets, cakes etc I do think that bringing up about them being the major cause of Type 2 diabetes isn't necessarily helpful when not everyone develops T2 from being overweight and eating the "wrong" things, the fact is even slim people develop it there are many variables including hereditary issues, other illnesses, viruses etc that have to be considered.

Working on cutting down/out added sugar is something that we should all aim for but is very hard for some people and going cold turkey isn't for me. I'm gradually cutting down on the added sugars along with cutting down on my carbs in general (not cutting carbs out completely!) and my blood glucose levels are now down to pre-diabetic levels and hopefully by my next blood test in June they will be lower and so will my weight.

[kantara71]

Well, after seeing the programme, and reading all of the most helpful insights and comments on here, I will now make sure i check for added sugar and try cutting sugar out from my diet. I don't have much added sugar but even a couple of teaspoons on top of porridge seems to be quite a lot. John

[djas]

Does anyone know where to get the recipes from last nights program?

[kantara71 in reply to djas]

I cannot see anything on the itv website, perhaps they did not see it as a cookery programme? it would be a good idea though to see. I think I can guess the recipe for the cooked breakfast That looked good !

[djas in reply to kantara71]

Yeah i think i could manage the breakfast, i will watch it again and pay more attention this time!

[rogbert]

being diabetic i have to watch out for high carbs . I understand the lobby for no sugar has been going on for some time now especailly with two books being published lately Davina Mccall had one and a Sarah Wilson too with I quit sugar both I understand can be purchased on amazon and other online book shops .

[nhs2015 in reply to rogbert]

I get my books from book Depository as their prices are reasonable and they ship out for free. I bought "that sugar book" from them. Interesting and a good reference to have after seeing the film "that sugar film", me think

[2bFabnfit]

I went cold turkey and quit refined sugar. 3 days of hell with severe constant headache. Paracetamol and gallons of water saw me through (I was on school holidays and couldn't have done this time whilst working )

I then had no cravings felt so much better in so many ways mood stabilised,skin cleared, digestion settled with less bloating and gas. I lost weight easily. All those things that contained sugar were high calorie so I could eat more nutrient rich foods in their place. I still ate plenty of fruit (fructose ) and milk (lactose ) but I lost weight every week.

I didn't read books or watch films I just did it the hard way.

I reached goal weight and now do allow myself the luxury of eating things contains refined sugar on celebration days. (Christmas, birthdays weddings etc).

This makes these occasions special.

I know I have a sugar addiction because I always crave it again after the celebration days. I have to decide whether I want to put myself through that for the momentary pleasure of a sweet treat. Thankfully I don't get the withdrawal headache each time.

Most if not all alcohol contains refined sugar so that too is now limited to celebration days.... strangely a glass or two doesn't set up the cravings. But if I eat cake I have to go through withdrawal again.

I won't go back to daily sugar now.

I didn't see the program but think I will watch it on catch up.....

[Fran182716]

I also ditched most refined sugar cold turkey (biscuits, cakes, sweets chocolate) and it was awful withdrawal symptoms for a couple of weeks then the cravings went, that was about 9 months ago and I haven't got the cravings back even when I ended up eating some of that junk at Christmas to be polite. I still have a sweet tooth but I have a better appreciation of naturally occurring sweetness rather than the ramped up versions in "treat" foods, and i seem to be able to enjoy the sweetness in fruit without triggering cravings for more. I also still have a bit of chocolate, but the 85% cocoa one Green and blacks, expensive but I'm happy with a couple of squares at a time so it lasts a while! ☀️

[Corrine1 Restart Sept 2023]

Hi, what was the programme called. Sounds really interesting.

[kantara71 in reply to Corrine1]

It was called The Sugar Free Farm