Today will be a quick post with some sugar free diet tips as we get ready for our 10 Day Fed Up Challenge. Are you ready for Monday?? The next challenge starts January 11, 2016. Go here for the official announcement.

I’ll make it short and sweet. (not sugary sweet) (although sugar is tempting) (no, don’t think about it) (come on, willpower) (you can do it) (where was I?) Right. Sugar free diet tips coming right up…

1. Drink water.

Your mother told you to.  Dr. Oz says it’s good. Health magazines are always harping on it. Why won’t they just leave you alone?

Usually, I’m the worst at drinking water. Now I’m going to nag you, too? Uh, yeah! Because you’re going to be drinking a lot of water. With no sugary soda, no fruit juices, no diet sodas…what on earth will you drink? Yep water. Water will also help you stay fuller longer. This is important because the next tip is…

2. Don’t let yourself get hangry.

Who me? Grumpy, crabby, irritable? Nooo get serious. I’m a sweetheart when I’m starving. You too?

Okay maybe I act a little angry at the world when I’ve starved myself of all of my favorite foods – but nawww – don’t be afraid of me even though it may seem like I’ll bite your head off for popping a few M&Ms in front of me. No really, come a little closer.

Hungry + Angry = Hangry

Plan meals ahead of time. Yes, this is going to take effort. Yes, it sucks. Yes you can pout about it for 5 minutes and then let’s put our adult boots on and DO THIS. [flex muscles and kiss biceps]

Have plenty of fresh, healthy snacks ready to go. Cut up veggies. Make a homemade dipping sauce. Cut up fruit. Buy hummus. Pack almonds in little containers for work days. Whatever your snack preferences are, get them ready PRIOR to to the start of your work week. If you let hunger strike, you’re more likely to go on a cupcake rage and scream obscenities at innocent bakery workers.

3. Eat fruit

Yeah, I know fruit has a lot of natural sugar and if you can avoid it, great. But for a sweet-tooth like me, fruit saved me during the last challenge. It made me feel like I was getting the sweets I craved. I made a really tasty Chopped Fresh Fruit Salad (minus the sugar/honey) and it put an end to my dessert cravings. Watermelon is great, too. Low calorie, sweet, and still kept me on track. Charlie Sheen calls this WINNING.

4. Make it easier on yourself.

Don’t dangle carrots in your face. (Or more appropriately, carrot cake.) If you’ve got tempting sweets and processed foods in your cupboards – get rid of them! How?

• Throw them out (my husband would cringe at this one so read on for other ideas)
• Box them up, tape the box shut and put them where you won’t see them and save for a later date.
• Donate them to a food bank or a neighbor.
• Binge eat them until the night before the challenge (This is a bad idea. Don’t listen to me.)

5. Change Your Attitude

If you find yourself thinking “Oh, 1 itty bitty piece of candy isn’t going to hurt,” just go ahead and smack yourself. Go ahead – I’ll wait. There, there now. [That’s me stroking your hair in comfort. No? I thought we were close friends.]

Now here’s why you can’t think like that during the challenge:

• You’re breaking an addiction. One teeny weeny piece of candy will only make the rest of the day (and possibly the next day) that much harder for you and your cravings.
• Remember that, although this can be a lifestyle change for you in the long run, this 10-day challenge (right now) is only an experiment. Having a “cheat” won’t help you see the benefits of the experiment.
• If you haven’t seen the movie Fed Up that prompted this 10-day sugar free challenge, you should. It’s shocking and will give you the kick in the tight pants you probably need.

6. Connect

You’ll be more successful if everyone in your household is doing the challenge. If your spouse isn’t doing it with you, maybe a neighbor, coworker, or friend can join you. But don’t forget, you have me! We have each other. Please come back and write in the comments about your struggles or questions if you have them. If you find the challenge is fairly easy for you (and I’ll be totally jealous if it is) let us know how great you’re doing! It will give hope to the rest of us who are convulsing in the corner with withdrawal symptoms. I’m kidding. It’s not that bad. [face twitches]

What about you? Do you have any sugar free diet tips or recipes you’d like to share? Please tell us in the comments below! I’ll be checking in with you throughout the challenge which starts January 11, 2016. Good luck!

Want to see how I did on last year’s challenge? I had some good days and some rough days. Here are some links: Day 1, Day 3, Day 5, Day 8, 5 Things I Learned While On A Sugar Free Diet, and Why You Can’t Have Sugar Substitutes During The Fed Up Challenge.

Fed Up Challenge Recipes

Spicy Power Turkey Sandwich with Avocado Spread (my newest sugar free recipe!)
Spicy Chicken Fried Rice (another newer one)
Impress Your Mother-In-Law Avocado Toast
Herbed Basmati Rice (instead of white rice use brown rice)
Easy Pan-Seared Pork Chops (omit the bread crumbs or use wheat flour or Ezekiel bread)
Fresh Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Bacon
Marinated Vegetable Salad