The First Change: Soda

Soda.  Pop.  Coke.  Whatever you call it, this sugary little beverage has invaded our American diets in big ways.  And as far as I can see, there are no plans in the near future of it disappearing.  So I've decided to make soda my first diet change.  

Some people are hopelessly addicted to soda.  For me, it has never been a huge deal.  I am a big water drinker.  When I'm thirsty, I don't tend to reach for soda.   So when I find myself drinking it several times a day, I know my sugar addiction has gone too far.  And when I start finishing the entire 12-ounce can in one sitting, it's really got to go.  30-plus grams of sugar in one meal?  It makes me sick just thinking about it. 

My kids and I drink tea often.  They are allowed to add their own sugar most of the time, but not without comment from me.  After 2 teaspoons, they get the "That's it, right?" look.  

After 3, they get "Wow!  That's a lot of sugar!"  

After that, "Woah, woah, woah!  That's plenty of sugar!  Step away from the sugar bowl, please."  

Imagine if we had to add our own sugar to our sodas.

Maybe this one-thing-at-a-time thing will help me to actually think about what is going into my body. 

The only soda I usually buy is diet, for my husband.  I've never been able to get down more than a few sips of any diet drink, because I can't stand the nasty after-taste of sugar alternatives.  "You'll get used to it," my husband claims.  But why bother?  I don't really want a lot of sugar substitutes in my diet either, so I'm not going to trade one bad habit for another.  

So no more soda for me.  The challenge has begun!  

Sugar: My Biggest Addiction

Hi, my name is Kim, and I am a sugar addict.  I have been an addict for as long as I can remember.  Once or twice in my life I have attempted to cut added sugar out of my diet.  Yes, I have felt so much more energetic, emotionally stable and healthy.  But then the holidays come, and I make pumpkin pie and zucchini bread, and it's all over.  Sugar is addictive!

This time, I am not giving up sugar all at once.  If I gave up sugar entirely, I would have to find a substitute for my tea, find alternative grab-and-go snacks, find new recipes for holiday gatherings, stop making family favorite desserts.  Way too overwhelming for my busy life!  I can barely get weekly grocery shopping done, so we don't have to eat out most weeknights.  No, we'll do this one at a time.  

I am going to choose first, things that are least important to my life and current diet.  Soda, candy, and other things I don't really crave, unless they are right under my nose.  Once I get these things out of my diet, I'm sure I can tackle the harder ones--the ones I look forward to every year.  Or the ones I turn to when I'm having a really bad day.  

Again, this is the theory...

Just a Regular Mom

I am just a regular mom..  I am not a nutritionist.  I am not a doctor.  I am just a regular mom, who is looking for a realistic way to incorporate healthy eating habits into my life.   

Unfortunately for me, I grew up in the 80's on Cookie Crisp, Kool-Aid and Velveeta.    Sure, I've graduated to the "adult" version of these, but is that much healthier?  I still eat boxed cereal on most mornings.  I've traded sugar-laden Kool-Aid for soda and Chai Lattes.  I know better than to bring Velveeta in my home now, but we still use packaged mac-and-cheese, canned soup and so many other things that could easily be made from scratch.  

For ten years, I've been reading books and websites on healthy eating.  I am aware of the benefits.  I know we don't eat enough fruits & veggies.  I know we should switch to more whole-grain foods.  I am fully aware that it takes just as long to make a simple grilled chicken salad as it is to make grilled cheese and tater tots.  But I guess old habits die hard.  When it comes right down to it and life gets crazy, I tend to grab the foods I am familiar with.  And mostly, they are not the healthy choices.  

So that's where I'm at right now.  Wanting to change--knowing I should change--but struggling with exactly how to do it.  Occasionally, I get the urge to tear through my pantry and throw out all the cereal, chips, and all the pre-packaged  junk I know shouldn't be there.  I imagine the shelves being lined with jars of dried beans, whole wheat pasta and freshly dried organic herbs.  

Some day.  Right now, I know that would be a bad idea.  For one, it would cause a riot among the 5 other people living in this house (especially the little ones).  Two, I wouldn't know what to eat.  I'd  end up running out to the store when I'm in a pinch and buying the same old junk again.  

So instead of a panic-driven, massive pantry make-over, I'm going to take  Fly Lady's advice, and try to focus on changing one bad habit at a time. I'm going to choose one thing that really bugs me and change it.  It will be a lot easier to come up with alternatives for one thing at a time, instead of everything at once.  When that change becomes a habit, I can pick another, and so on.  This is the theory, anyway.  We'll see if it works, and you are welcome to follow along.  
Share my ups and downs as I stumble through this journey to transform my food habits into ones that I can be proud of.