As an online editor, I challenged myself to go sugar-free for 100 days. Beyond meticulously scanning labels—squinting at tiny print without my reading glasses—two unexpected changes emerged that transformed my daily life.
A year ago, I embarked on this sugar-free experiment. I'm a label-reading enthusiast, but it's no easy task with minuscule fonts. I discovered over 20 sneaky names for sugar, like 'skimmed milk powder' and 'malt extract.' I've steered clear of them ever since.
The spark came from the documentary Fed Up, flagged in a newspaper blurb. I was stunned by the sugar lurking in everyday foods—explaining my long-term weight struggles. As a 30-year vegetarian, I relied on supermarket veggie burgers, tortilla shells, vegan mayonnaise, and almond milk for coffee, all sugar-laden.
Starting 100 days ago, I honed my label-reading skills. Soon, I knew the sugar-free mustards, chips, breadcrumbs, pickles—and even most breads were off-limits.
Two surprises hit immediately. First, my sleep deepened dramatically—beyond my usual solid nights, plunging me into coma-like rest. Less pleasant: my taste buds rebelled. Tap water tasted like 7-Up; everything seemed syrupy sweet, as if reprogramming was underway.
Bonus: I dropped 4 kilos in the first week (though 5 returned later). Those initial sugar-free weeks felt like a full system reset—I anticipated minimal impact, but the effects were profound. Now, everything's normalized: weight stabilized, water tastes neutral, sleep baby-like. Never a sugar craver, I now spot it everywhere—from train station AH-To-Go snacks (only bagged carrots are safe) to constant offers of cake, candy, gum, and chocolate.
Months in, I relapsed at a party with irresistible tiramisu (my ultimate weakness) and sweet drinks with homemade cookies. One indulgence, and my body craved sugar like a desert wanderer needs water.
Resuming sugar-free was tough—cravings lingered.
I regained the weight, but one lasting win pulled me back: lifelong eczema. Red, itchy arm patches persisted despite stress relief, doctor's creams, hormone ointments, bran baths, pills, sea air walks, ditching alcohol/coffee, and switching detergents. I exhausted every online tip.
Then sugar vanished. Curious experiment turned miracle: spots faded in a week, gone in two—never returned. Not reborn, but eczema-free and sugar-free.
Text: Manon Sikkel / Image: Getty Images
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