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You are here: Home / Misc / Journal / Jumpstart 2015: I Quit Sugar Too

Jumpstart 2015: I Quit Sugar Too

January 6, 2015 by Sarah Trivuncic 33 Comments

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Five weeks ago, without much thought beforehand, I decided to overhaul my eating habits.

After a couple of false starts earlier in the year, the coincidence of a Monday falling on the 1st of the month was enough to kickstart me into being more resolved than in a long time to make meaningful changes to my diet and lifestyle.

For a long time now I’ve felt unenthusiastic about baking cakes and actually if you follow my instagram feed, you’ll have more of an idea what I eat day to day such as these unblogged soups and salads shown above. My husband and son are somewhat phobic of pulses and seeds but they’re exactly the type of thing I love to eat. The biggest challenge over the past five weeks has not been sticking to what I’m eating, it’s been preparing different things for Nick and Ted who each have their limits when it comes to green and crunchy stuff.

I’ve never been tested for gluten intolerance but I do find I’m more energetic if I eat less bread, flour and pasta. Hence since December 1st, I have only eaten these things occasionally, generally when out of the house and there’s no alternative. Where the boys have eaten pasta, I’ve had rice instead.

I have avoided eating processed sugars and discovered that the less sugar I eat, the less I crave sweet things. Initially I satisfied my sweet tooth with a couple of pitted dates but lately I’ve not even hunted in the cupboard for these.

Christmas came and went. I was disinterested in mince pies and the pudding went unopened. I did have some of the Chocolate Christmas Cake Hack at New Year but otherwise my excesses were focussed on nuts, a little cheese and Prosecco.

So the truth is that there’s very little baking been going on in my house for a while and little likely to start. I know myself well enough to know these things are too irresistible if available, hence out of sight is out of mind.

I’m not saying I’ll never bake from now on but what there is will more likely be gluten free or lower sugar. (Unless the desire to decorate cookies takes over!)

Two years ago I was going to the gym regularly and felt fantastic. I think if I’d been publishing the type of food I was eating rather than feeling I should still stick within the confines of a baking blog, I might not have faltered.

There’s been a mass baking binge exacerbated by TV shows and books and actually now thank goodness the spotlight is moving to more lower sugar, more nutritionally sound food. I’ve long felt the baking bubble had moved from genuine desire to craft and gain skills to a mass market explosion in making money.

I realise this sounds contradictory coming from someone with “cupcake” in their blog title but regular readers will already know I often go 12 months never publishing cupcakes and my site has long only still been called Maison Cupcake because I never thought of anything I felt was an improvement.

You will not see self loathing proclamations of “clean eating” here, I am still not quite sure what “paleo” is and I’m yet to be convinced by 5:2. Rather I intend to blog more of the food I am wanting to eat to look after myself and it would appear I’m not alone.

What is Jumpstart 2015?

Jumpstart 2015 is a collective of bloggers using the fresh start of January to increase the ratio of healthier food in their diets.

Most of us will be publishing more soups and smoothies as part of our new habits.

We’ve all got a slightly different spin on it, everyone has different reasons so take a visit to some of the sites below to find out more.

Which blogs are taking part in Jumpstart 2015?

Tinned Tomatoes – Slim Down with Jumpstart January

Smarter Fitter – An Easy 3-Day Juice Feast to Jumpstart 2015

Utterly Scrummy Food For Families – Jumpstart January for Smoothies and Soups

Kellies Food To Glow – Eat Smart Feel Great

Fuss Free Flavours

Ren Behan

Veggie Desserts – Squashing Vegetables & Feeling Healthier

Franglais Kitchen – Jumpstart 2015 with Healthy Eating Tips

London Unattached (mainly soups)

Maison Cupcake

Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary – Jumpstart 2015, Juices, Smoothies and Soups

 

Look for the hashtag #Jumpstart2015 on social media, bookmark our sites or use Bloglovin to track what everyone is up to!

Do you need a Jumpstart in 2015?

This site content is free. When you purchase via referral links on our posts, including those to Amazon, we earn affiliate commission, at no extra cost to yourself. Thanks for reading and please share posts you find useful!
Filed Under: Journal

About Sarah Trivuncic

Sarah Trivuncic has published recipes, restaurant and travel reviews on Maison Cupcake since 2009. She lives in Walthamstow, East London with her husband and teenager.
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Comments

  1. Elizabeth says

    January 6, 2015 at 5:01 pm

    Here’s to a new year with new, healthier eating habits! Looking forward to reading and trying out some of the recipes you share – those smoothies of yours look divine!

    Reply
  2. Fiona @ London-Unattached says

    January 6, 2015 at 5:11 pm

    Now you’ve shamed me into thinking I will have to make my first soup tonight. I keep putting it off – too many treats in the cupboard still.

    Well done you – I think quitting sugar is quite admirable

    Reply
    • Sarah, Maison Cupcake says

      January 6, 2015 at 5:16 pm

      Oh I know the feeling about temptation still lying around. Luckily I am disinterested in sugary chocolates and biscuits right now but that still leaves nuts, cheese and booze. I put the booze in the cellar and most of the cheese in the freezer. Out of sight, out of mind, now excuse me whilst I nibble these last few nuts!!

      Reply
  3. Dom says

    January 6, 2015 at 5:16 pm

    wow… no sugar… incredible… good luck and a beautiful selection of recipes too!

    Reply
    • Sarah, Maison Cupcake says

      January 6, 2015 at 5:31 pm

      Thank you, I do feel quite unshackled now I’ve announced this!!

      Reply
  4. Jacqueline says

    January 6, 2015 at 5:43 pm

    It sounds like you have made a great start already Sarah. I only ate about three mince pies in December and was for some reason craving salads too.

    Reply
  5. Janie says

    January 6, 2015 at 6:06 pm

    Here’s to a cleaner year ahead for us all Sarah, and I’m really looking forward to you all sharing your Jumpstart recipes.
    Janie x

    Reply
  6. Heidi Roberts says

    January 6, 2015 at 10:51 pm

    I too am trying to question what I am eating and look for healthier alternatives!

    Reply
  7. Nazima says

    January 7, 2015 at 9:08 am

    A fantastic post Sarah. Like you I’m finding myself feel better and more energetic eating nutrient packed low sugar food. Look forward to seeing your creative baking take a healthier turn. Also seeing the everyday food ideas.

    Reply
  8. Solange says

    January 7, 2015 at 9:47 am

    Inspiring start, I might just take a leaf out of your book and start cooking and blogging more of the ingredients I want to eat, if you see what I mean. Beautiful post, thanks

    Reply
  9. Alison says

    January 7, 2015 at 12:08 pm

    A great time to look at more healthy options. It is also a good time for soup, they are so comforting and warming. I eat far too much sugar so it would be a good time to cut down

    Reply
    • Sarah, Maison Cupcake says

      January 7, 2015 at 12:32 pm

      I think it helps knowing other people around you are doing the same thing 🙂

      Reply
  10. Sally - My Custard Pie says

    January 7, 2015 at 2:04 pm

    Glad to know I’m not the only person who cringes at the term clean eating (I’ve always scrubbed my potatoes!)

    Reply
    • Sarah, Maison Cupcake says

      January 7, 2015 at 7:49 pm

      Oh it’s ghastly isn’t it. Makes me think of colonic irrigation.

      Reply
  11. kellie@foodtoglow says

    January 7, 2015 at 4:44 pm

    I love these heart-felt and honest words, Sarah. I have found that when I lay off the sugar I have a crazy amount of energy. Actually my husband finds me annoyingly energised. 😉 Once home from my holiday I am happily getting back to how I feel best eating, which is pretty much as you describe. But it is hard when not everyone in the house thinks and eats as you do, but you will find a happy medium, I’m sure.Best wishes with your healthy changes.

    Reply
    • Sarah, Maison Cupcake says

      January 7, 2015 at 7:48 pm

      Yes I think trying to please everyone else is the hardest part. Still, having a dishwasher helps!

      Reply
  12. Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says

    January 8, 2015 at 9:16 am

    I have been seeing your delish salads in your instagram feed and l have been tempted by them much more than I have been tempted by all the cakes going round. Now if only I can be brave enough to reduce sugar in my diet…

    Reply
    • Sarah, Maison Cupcake says

      January 8, 2015 at 10:50 am

      I am wondering whether people are just a bit “over” cake. Never thought I’d say that.

      Reply
  13. Fiver Feeds says

    January 12, 2015 at 2:31 am

    I’ll have to quit sugar too (or at least reduce it to some minimum). I’m glad to see someone else is doing good so far 🙂

    Reply
  14. Lisa@unitedcakedom says

    January 14, 2015 at 5:17 pm

    I do write a baking blog, but it gives a very misguided look into my every day eating habits! I love salads and cous cous and raw vegatables and this is what I generally eat everyday for lunch, dinner is healthy family meals and we don’t have dessert every night, dessert is a treat. I look forward to reading more on your new approach to food for more inspiration in my daily life!

    Reply
    • Sarah, Maison Cupcake says

      January 15, 2015 at 9:38 am

      I’m sure it won’t be long before I blog some baking again but I am going to make much more effort to be lower sugar and/or gluten free.

      Reply
  15. Becs @ Lay the table says

    January 18, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    Good for you Sarah and what a brave move to do it before Christmas! I am on a health kick too but I do find it so hard to cut out sugar. It does make me feel better to have more fruit and veg and think more carefully about alternatives to the bad stuff that I eat! Thank goodness we have Pinterest and fab food blogs like your to find inspiration and motivation.

    Reply
  16. Urban Mumble says

    January 21, 2015 at 10:02 pm

    Hi Sarah!

    You know, I was browsing for health & food related UK blogs and stubbled upon yours mentioned somewhere. I did not even click as I quit sugar two years ago and assumed “Maison cupcake” would be all about sweet cakes and sugary treats 🙂 (I wrote about my experiences here (http://urbanmumble.com/2015/01/quit-sugar/) I am happy to have discover a good a no-sugar blog! I am looking forward to discovering some sugar free cake recipes on your blog. I have prepared a few myself but will admit they weren’t great. Please post any good recipe you may have. Is your decision to go sugar free a longterm decision or just a trial?

    Reply
  17. Made With Pink says

    January 29, 2015 at 8:07 am

    Sarah, I’m just seeing this post now and I love love love it! I couldn’t agree more. Your post resonated wth me so much (probably why I’ve not blogged for the past 10 months!).

    I’ve long know you were a good source for recipies other than baking, so will continu boy watch for more delicious savoury options. x

    Reply
    • Sarah, Maison Cupcake says

      January 30, 2015 at 6:24 pm

      Thanks Andrea!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Beetroot salad with freekeh whole grains recipe - Maison Cupcake says:
    January 7, 2015 at 11:52 am

    […] Freekeh is made from green wheat grains which have their straw and chaff burnt off. The roasted grains are then rubbed or thrashed. Freekeh has higher amounts of soluble fibre than some other grains and a lower glycaemic index meaning you’re less likely to feel hungry after eating it. So that’s great news for me with my new eating habits and Jumpstart 2015! […]

    Reply
  2. Happy Tummy Tonic – Jumpstart 2015 | food to glow says:
    January 12, 2015 at 10:59 am

    […] Maison Cupcake – I Quit Sugar Too […]

    Reply
  3. A time for health: Super simple roast beetroot soup | My Custard Pie says:
    January 12, 2015 at 3:18 pm

    […] Smarter Fitter, Jacqueline of Tinned Tomatoes, Elizabeth of the eponymous Kitchen Diary, Sarah of Maison Cupcake, Kate of Veggie Desserts, Nazima and Pierre of Franglais Kitchen, Michelle of Utterly Scrummy, […]

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  4. Vitamix pea soup with cheese and chives - Maison Cupcake says:
    January 13, 2015 at 10:32 am

    […] It’s also part of my ongoing Jumpstart January. […]

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  5. Overcome the fear of green smoothies | My Custard Pie says:
    January 16, 2015 at 3:32 pm

    […] inspiration for Jumpstart15 visit Kellie on Food to Glow,  Jacqueline of Tinned Tomatoes, Sarah of Maison Cupcake, Kate of Veggie Desserts, Nazima and Pierre of Franglais Kitchen, Michelle of Utterly Scrummy, […]

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  6. Cannellini bean dip with butternut squash recipe - Maison Cupcake says:
    January 21, 2015 at 2:54 pm

    […] It’s also part of my ongoing Jumpstart January. […]

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  7. Beetroot and Kale Soup | Kale and Almond Crumble | Jumpstart2015 - Ren Behan Food | renbehan.com says:
    January 22, 2015 at 6:15 pm

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    January 23, 2015 at 7:01 am

    […] It’s also part of my ongoing Jumpstart January. […]

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