Cooking destroys and harms all the foods we eat and olive oil is no exception. Olive oil, however, does seem to handle heating better than other oils (it has a moderately high smoke point, another oil with a high smoke point is grape seed oil). The most stable oil under heating are actually the saturated fats (the best of which is coconut oil). I generally suggest that you limit fats as much as possible, so use all oils in moderation.

Sounds like you are doing great, keep up the good work!

Scott

I just happened to notice on your previous response to one of my questions that you recommended burritos for breakfast. Now the only burritos I’ve eaten are wrapped in a flour tortilla; are tortillas okay to eat? I’m confused by this.

Also, I was told that olive oil is best used in it’s natural state and that when you use it to cook with you change its constition so much that it is not longer good. What do you think about this?

Thanks for all your responses. Doing well on the diet; even lost some weight. However, I do allow myself one cheat day per week.

As far as beans go, anything you want is okay. I think that it takes a while to break the habit of needing something sweet for breakfast, but burritos, chili, or simply a bowl of beans are all okay. Beans contain fiber that not only fills you up but also helps to balance your blood sugar throughout the day.

Children are hard, especially when they are out of your home. Take whatever steps you can to include more fruits and vegetables into their lives. I have three children who are separated by many years; they are 6, 10 and 17. While the six year old doesn’t eat all the well (actually she probably eats better than 90 percent of the kids in America, just not well enough for me), the ten and the seventeen year old eat much better. The ten year old is a vegetarian and the seventeen year old counts the days that he doesn’t eat junk.

I constantly talk to my kids about how what they are eating makes them feel; I ask them to pay attention to their bodies. This, I think, works much better than simply removing all temptations from their lives (my kids run into junky food at school, at friends houses, and at birthday parties). Having them pay attention to how they feel makes them responsible for their own health and not make them feel guilty about what they are eating (and that is the best skill I think I can pass on).

Thanks for your response; that clears up my confusion on milk. I am wondering however if whey protien powder is suitable. I have used whey powder in the past to make smoothies but again I’m not sure if it is condusive to this sugar-free diet (I am in line with the diet that eliminates added sugar as well as foods that act like sugar in the body). Also, could you be more specific about the beans for breakfast; this is very different for me.

One more, I am a mother with children and since I started eating this way I feel guilty feeding my children all those starchy carbs and sugary additives that I realize now to be unhealthy. I want the best for my kids and I also don’t want them to feel like they’re missing out (eg. pizza, cake etc.) Currently, I make two meals; one for them and one for myself. Any suggestions on how to balance this?

I use a milk substitute made from coconut milk that you can find in most health food stores. To that, you can any fruits you like. I prefer frozen berries (blackberries, raspberries…).

Hope that helps!

Yes, the sugar is the same in both skim and whole milk, they do, however, act differently in the body. The less fat in the milk, the easier the sugar is absorbed (and the higher your blood sugar goes). I would actually recommend that you don’t eat much or any dairy foods if you are really looking to lose weight and be healthier.

For breakfast, I usually have a piece of fruit, a fruit smoothie or I eat beans (like a chili) with greens. While it takes a while to get used to not eating something sweet for breakfast, eating beans is the healthiest breakfast I can think of.

I’m in the middle of writing a book specifically on weight loss that will focus more on these issues and have recipes and menu suggestions.

Good luck on your 40 day adventure.

Scott

I just started the 30 day sugar-free challange, although I’m doing it for lent and it will be more like 40 days. I noticed that you recommend whole milk oppossed to 1% or 2%; when I went shopping and looked at the nutritional info it had just as much sugar as the others. Why then is whole milk preferred?
Also, I’ve been trying to figure out what to have for breakfast that’s quick and easy. Do you have any personal favorites? I’d appreciate any food ideas.

Thank you so much,

Jessica

Take a look at the FAQ page: http://olsonnd.com/30-sugar-free-days/30-sugar-free-days-faq/
Or take a look at this post on Stevia: What about Stevia?