Sugar and Yeast Detox, Phase 1 - Day Done

I almost lost my mind.  I couldn’t seem to remember things like I used to.  I had to reset passwords and reset them again because I couldn’t remember what I reset them to.  Just the other day I made myself lunch, packed it in a cute bag, and left it on the counter.  I didn’t realize it until I was at the gas station where I couldn’t figure out how to operate the new credit card taker thing (machine?)  So I went all the way home and got my lunch and drove to a different gas station where they also had a new machine, but forced myself to use it anyway.  Then I completely forgot how to get to work from this other gas station, so long story not so short – I was late to work.

I blame the sugar/yeast detox diet and its lack of blueberries or really its lack of flavonoids that are supposedly good for memory. (For more information and details about the benefits of blueberries, read  Your Mind on Blueberries.)¹ And more so the lack of carbs.  Carbs are often viewed negatively in dieting, but they do provide energy for the body which includes the brain.  So, it might seem like a stretch, but carbs help the brain to process thoughts maybe even help power memory.  (Interested in more? Read How your Body Turns Carbohydrates into Energy.)²   Is that why I’m losing my mind?  Is that why I can’t find the fitbit that I swear I put on the edge of the bathroom sink?  Is that why I’m so clumsy that I knocked everything off the bathroom sink and now have a huge fear that I may have flushed the fitbit down the toilet?  Is this why I get so dizzy that I have to stop to steady myself so that I don’t fall over?  Is this why I actually do fall over sometimes?  Am I just needing more carbohydrates?

Or is it because this diet is so labor intensive that all I do is think about planning menus and buying food? And because I’m doing so much cooking, I’m doing even more cleaning. This diet is a lot of work.  I’m exhausted, forgetful, unbalanced, and HUNGRY!  And yet The Husband seems to have skipped all of my maladies and is just hungry until fed.  Then he seems to have more energy than before the sugar detox.  So…I don’t want to say this diet isn’t worth it.  I think it that it is.  It definitely gives you an idea about how much sugar really is in all of the foods that we normally eat even when we think we are eating healthy. 

We did make some delicious discoveries on this journey of no sugar and no yeast including: 

Coconut Almond Balls a/k/a Fat Bombs

These fat bombs as we began to lovingly refer to them are delicious little morsels of almond butter, coconut flour, and unsweetened coconut flakes.  Mix all the ingredients in a ball and refrigerate for 30 minutes and voila dessert is served.  On the days when we didn’t think we were going to make it through, we ate a few of these and were able to press on.

Avocado Omelets

Eggs were also a lifesaver on this diet.  I think eggs have a bad reputation because they are so high in cholesterol, but they are an excellent source of protein and excellent

source of energy for the body.  We experimented with a number of different omelets and frittatas, but the Avocado Omelet was my favorite.  The eggs were made savory with onions and bell peppers and the avocado added a creamy coolness that paired nicely with salty olives.  I will continue to make this even after the phases of this diet are complete.

Asian Turkey Meatballs and Slaw

One night my mother-in-law brought us pork meatballs and slaw which she had discovered while she was doing a similar cleanse.  They were so delicious that I found a recipe I had saved long ago for Gluten Free Turkey Meatballs and altered it to fit our diet.  I also found a delicious recipe for Bok Choy and Cabbage Slaw. The meatballs in my recipe were a bit dry, but the slaw was delicious.  It had crisp cabbage and bok choy mixed with tahini and coconut aminos.  I’ve never cooked with bok choy, but I think will in the future.  It adds a freshness and somewhat of a peppery flavor that is unexpected in a vegetable.

Going Forward

I think that Phase 2 will be much easier to maintain. (If we decide to continue with Phase 2!)  We can add grains and fruit, so hopefully my memory and energy will return.  Watching the sugar intake will be difficult and I don’t think we will cut it out completely, but hopefully we will make better and healthier decisions.

References

Franz, M. (2011). Your brain on blueberries. Scientific American Mind, 21(6), 54-59.

How your body turns carbs into energy. (n.d.). Dummies. Retrieved from http://www.dummies.com/health/nutrition/how-your-body-turns-carbohydrates-into-energy/.