Well, I'm doing much better. No headaches! Whoop! I'm also finding that I have lots of energy, and I don't have as much 'brain fog' - this is the term I use for having so many things to do and so many thoughts about those things that the thoughts become like a thick fog in my mind. I'm actually really enjoying the sugar fast now. This weekend I really missed having a glass of wine and I do still get to the end of the day and want something sweet. I've resisted so far, but came pretty close to giving in when the family had strudel and clotted cream for desert. Yum.
Right now, in the UK, there is an excellent sugar campaign taking place - it's called Sugar Swaps, by an organisation called Change 4 Life. They have identified the four areas where people consume the most sugar, and make suggestions for how to change - however, they do recommend that people swap some sugar for artificial sugar. I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS! I believe that artificial sugar is completely bad and that children (and adults) should be kept as far away from it as possible. Aspartame, which is found in almost all soft drinks, is 50% phenylalanine, which is an artificial chemical. When I was growing up, I was completely allergic to this. My parents described that I would eat something containing 'E-numbers' or phenylalanine and go beyond hyperactive. I remember describing it as feeling like there were spiders running around in my head and couldn't shake them out. I tried very hard. The next day I would wake up with what can only be described as a hangover. I was irritable, ached and was horrible to be around. I'm not allergic to this any more, but I do keep reading articles about the dangers of artificial sugars, in many cases they haven't been around long enough to have done proper, long-term research into the effects of them. So, my advice, stay far away!
All of that said, what I like about the Sugar Swaps campaign is that they focus on four areas - Breakfast, Drinks, Snacks and Puddings. When you sign up, you commit to focusing on one area - this is such a good starting point for families. To be able to focus their efforts on one area, create good habits and then move on to tackle another area. In the same vein, I want to focus on those four areas this week, today we'll talk about breakfast.
All of that said, what I like about the Sugar Swaps campaign is that they focus on four areas - Breakfast, Drinks, Snacks and Puddings. When you sign up, you commit to focusing on one area - this is such a good starting point for families. To be able to focus their efforts on one area, create good habits and then move on to tackle another area. In the same vein, I want to focus on those four areas this week, today we'll talk about breakfast.
The breakfasts that children and adults commonly eat contain a huge amount of sugar (remember that children are supposed to eat 3-4 teaspoons throughout the whole day).
1 serving of Cocoa Pops with milk = 5 1/4 teaspoons
1 serving of Ready Brek Honey flavour = 3 teaspoons
1 serving of Frosties with milk = 5 1/4 teaspoons
1 serving of Dorest Cereals High Fibre Cereal with milk = 4 1/2 teaspoons
1 serving of Multi-Grain Shapes with milk = 3 teaspoons
1 serving of Shredded Wheat with milk = 1 1/4 teaspoons
1 serving of Honey Loops with milk = 4 3/4
1 piece of white toast with 1 tsp of jam = 2 teaspoons
What are the alternatives?
Porridge is a good start to the day, however I know that my kids won't eat it without sugar! You could measure out 1 tsp of maple syrup or local honey - that way you know exactly how much sugar they are eating.
Eggs are a great start to the day, we regularly have scrambled eggs on wholemeal toast with some bacon for a good protein start to the day, we also make egg in a nest about once a week (You cut a hole in a piece of bread, put the bread into a hot frying pan, and crack an egg in the hole - our kids love this!)
We also love baked oatmeal. Here's the recipe we use, I think it serves 8, but if you have bigger kids, it might just do five!
3 cups of oats
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 teaspoon sea salt (optional, but recommended)
1 grated apple
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup maple syrup (you could leave this out if you want no sugar, I'm going to try reducing this 2tbsp's)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups fruit - we have used frozen raspberries, chopped apple and blueberries before
The night before:
Mix all the ingredients together and put in a greased baking dish. I use a medium square glass dish.
In the morning, put it in an oven heated to 180 degrees for about 35 minutes.
I love this recipe! I love that the kids eat a really good breakfast, I usually prepare it when I'm tidying up the kitchen. It means that the next morning is so easy.
Let me know if you try it!
1 serving of Cocoa Pops with milk = 5 1/4 teaspoons
1 serving of Ready Brek Honey flavour = 3 teaspoons
1 serving of Frosties with milk = 5 1/4 teaspoons
1 serving of Dorest Cereals High Fibre Cereal with milk = 4 1/2 teaspoons
1 serving of Multi-Grain Shapes with milk = 3 teaspoons
1 serving of Shredded Wheat with milk = 1 1/4 teaspoons
1 serving of Honey Loops with milk = 4 3/4
1 piece of white toast with 1 tsp of jam = 2 teaspoons
What are the alternatives?
Porridge is a good start to the day, however I know that my kids won't eat it without sugar! You could measure out 1 tsp of maple syrup or local honey - that way you know exactly how much sugar they are eating.
Eggs are a great start to the day, we regularly have scrambled eggs on wholemeal toast with some bacon for a good protein start to the day, we also make egg in a nest about once a week (You cut a hole in a piece of bread, put the bread into a hot frying pan, and crack an egg in the hole - our kids love this!)
We also love baked oatmeal. Here's the recipe we use, I think it serves 8, but if you have bigger kids, it might just do five!
3 cups of oats
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 teaspoon sea salt (optional, but recommended)
1 grated apple
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup maple syrup (you could leave this out if you want no sugar, I'm going to try reducing this 2tbsp's)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups fruit - we have used frozen raspberries, chopped apple and blueberries before
The night before:
Mix all the ingredients together and put in a greased baking dish. I use a medium square glass dish.
In the morning, put it in an oven heated to 180 degrees for about 35 minutes.
I love this recipe! I love that the kids eat a really good breakfast, I usually prepare it when I'm tidying up the kitchen. It means that the next morning is so easy.
Let me know if you try it!