Sugar-Free

Lots of food experiments going on here. As noted in my last post I've been sugar-free, dairy-free, wheat-free, yeast-free, etc. by necessity for a couple months now. After cutting every easy and/or convenient food out of my diet (even fruit,) every day was a constant struggle to find something to eat. In case you find yourself in a similar situation, or are just trying to be uber healthy (three cheers for you!).... here are some ideas that work for me.

BREAKFAST:

OR 7 eggs fried in CO & a tomato (I was nursing, remember??)

 In the absence of bread/fruit/dairy, it is always some variation of cereal. Since I am only allowed rice and oats I eat them a lot. But Rice Bubbles has added sugar, so I go with puffed organic brown rice and steel cut oats with add ins. Coconut oil gives good moisture, or  use rice/oat/almond/goat milks.

Without sugar or dried fruit, you have to get creative (I cheat with blueberries on occasion.) Plain cinnamon gives you the illusion you're tasting "cinnamon sugar" and I always need a crunch factor: almonds, pecans, chia seed, linseed (flax), sprouted sunflower seeds, pepitas, etc. Usually sprinkle LSA mix or oat bran atop as well.



LUNCH:

 Tuna without mayo/yogurt/relish is nasty, but I found smashed butternut squash a fair alternative. When rice cakes get old I cough up the $8 for a loaf of Sourdough Oat bread (no yeast or wheat/grain) and load as much on that baby as possible.

Always toasted with a thick layer of coconut oil then a hefty sprinkle of cinnamon and salt and a chunky smear of pumpkin (a very sweet veggie!) or avocado or squash, topped with nuts or LSA mix. It's really good actually - definitely a keeper even when I'm back to normal food. Nut butter would be great too, (I'm just not allowed peanuts and haven't ground my own alternative.)

SNACKS:

If you're a tea/coffee/cocoa drinker and need that hot drink, warm almond milk is a pretty good sub, with a dash of cinnamon. But don't get it too hot because it does curdle.

 Nuts and seeds are my friend - double the benefits if soaked/sprouted, even for just 30 minutes.

Hummus, despite having vinegar, was my saving grace when veggies lost their appeal. Lots of goats cheese and rice crackers (watch for added sugar.) Frozen peas are really sweet (ask Summer and Des.) Good old plain sweet potatoes.

And of course green smoothies.

 DINNER:

This is usually where I have to get my creative juices flowing. While the fam can scarf down pizza or pasta, burritos or quesadillas, I might sit down with a glorified "snack" plate.

But there's always bean&veggie soups, chili, and curries - they've been my go-to. This first one was pumpkin, spinach, chick pea with yogurt over quinoa (before those two were out.) I eyeballed it all, but it's similar to this recipe.

I eat lots of rice noodles and fish/chicken/meatloaf boosted with tons of veggies.

This salad is definitely a keeper - I make a version of it every week:

spinach/rocket/greens, roasted pumpkin, feta, chia/sunflower/pepitas, almonds, onions, 

crushed garlic, pinenuts, avocado, 

cukes, walnuts, chicken, etc. 

Drizzle with flaxseed oil, half a lemon and s&p and you've got a smashin' meal.


My other fave concoction: Coconut Lime Chicken Curry - inspired by a few different recipes, D calls it "restaurant-worthy" and I'm slightly addicted.

1 chicken breast (or can of chicken, undrained)
1 C snow peas or green beans
1 C zucchini, sliced
1 onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1.5 inch fresh ginger, minced
2 T coconut oil
1 t mustard seeds
2 T (or stalks) of lemongrass 
(or 2-3 drops lemon oil or rind of one lemon)
2-3 Kaffir lime leaves
2 cans coconut milk
2 T fish sauce
3 T lime juice
1/2 t salt
fresh cilantro for garnish

Fry seeds in coconut oil until sputtering. Add garlic & ginger for a couple minutes. Then onion, then zucchini, then beans or peas, then chicken - frying for a couple minutes each. Finally add coconut milk, lemon, and lime leaves and simmer 10-15 minutes until all is tender and slightly thickened. Add fish sauce, salt, lime juice and stir through. Serve over brown rice. (Amazing leftovers!)

There's a whole lot of alternative food out there - just look in the health food shops. This "rice chia pizza base" was pretty sad compared to real pizza crust, but at least I didn't feel so deprived that night.

We also experimented with grinding our own flours (quinoa/buckwheat/millet - before I had to eliminate most grain) and tried making some "soda bread." While this looks nice, it was pretty gross. Crumbly, dry and frustrating. But I'm sure you could get good at it - there are tons of recipes online if you need to avoid yeast.

When you're going for milks, skip the oat and rice (blech!) and go straight to almond milk. (make your own - so easy) Or goat milk if you like your cereal tasting like goat cheese...

(Soak almonds for up to 2 days, rinse, blenderize for a few minutes with double the water, then pour through cheesecloth lined strainer, squeeze out excess and refrigerate! I even stir the pulp into my oatmeal and it's great.)

 It's all a bit of a lifestyle change, and while I don't intend to keep these dietary restrictions forever (just until my body comes back into balance) I have learned a valuable lesson about my addiction to sugar. And how sweet some natural foods are. Once you eliminate it your tongue goes back to appreciating the real taste of food! Can't wait for the sugar rush from real fruit again~

I'm also better at reading labels (so much crap in everything these days) and will definitely keep incorporating nuts and seeds into way more of my meals. It has been good. I'm still looking forward to a chocolate after dinner or splurging at a party. (Another thing I learned about myself: I'm fine abstaining at home but lose all self-control when I go out!)

And if your wondering, no I haven't dropped a bunch of weight, but that's my nursing body I guess. I certainly haven't been perfect either. I'll eat half a banana Des leaves or take a bite of sandwich - but I've certainly gained a measure of self constraint. (Please let me bring on the cheese again!)

Anyway, maybe this post will make it easier for someone who's struggling to find stuff to eat too. Feel free to share what works with you - I'd love to hear it!