What to eat when avoiding sugar?

So a very curious, and bright reader asked me some fantastic questions recently, and I am going to share them in my blog in the next week or so...

Question:  What does one eat during a week when you are trying to avoid sugar?

My answer:  Since sugar is added to almost everything processed, and hidden in the long list of ingredients, I advise sticking to simple, wholefoods that you can prepare.

• Lean meats, chicken and fish
• Almonds, macadamia nuts, and other varieties
• Tons of low sugar fruits and vegetables.....berries are great!
• a small amount of milk (if you aren't lactose intolerant) cottage cheese, greek yogurt, and string cheese
• water
• coffee, made by you, so you know what's in it:)
• watch your condiments, they tend to be full of sugar
• protein powder is ok in moderation, but I would avoid the bars whenever possible, they are full of sugar alcohols which will bloat you every time, and basically....as bad as eating a candy bar.

Stay gorgeous and healthy,

Megan

A week without sugar....?!??!?:(

This is my birthday cake above......can you tell I'm dreaming about sugar? Oh....and yes, it's a Barbie cake....and ummmm, it was last year:)  I will always love Barbie!


 For the past week I have completely cut sugar out of my diet.  Little by little, over the past month, what had been a small part of my day (sugar) turned into a very large, and out of control habit.  I think with sugar, the more I have, the more I need.  It's been an interesting week, and while I have been craving it, I've also just been sure to eat enough healthy options to keep myself from getting hungry, and weakening my resolve.  One more week, and I think I'll be fine to indulge again:)

My adorable assistant Melissa:) 

Tonight I indulged in some amazing Sushi at Douzo, where I took two of my amazing assistants from the salon as a treat.   I love going out for sushi because it's so easy to go out for a great time, and manage to stay on a healthy eating track.  I drank a ton of Voss water, and ordered spicy tuna with brown rice, miso cod, and dragon rolls (eel with sweet potato and avocado).  

Oh hey!  Haha, whats that on my plate:) apparently a very HOT, and suggestively shaped pepper!

My favorite trick for eating sushi??  Squeeze some fresh limes in with your soy sauce so it's half and half, then use that for dipping your sushi rolls....so fresh!  I learned this little trick from some Miami locals, and I'd never have sushi without it!

xoxo,

Megan

Carbs, carbs and how they fit into getting lean:)

Me in the middle of the mess that was my hotel room in California:)  Oh and sooooo tired, and clearly needing carbs after the two hours I spent shopping!  Noooo really!

These days it seems like everyone has become a little afraid of carbs....or.....all they eat are carbs, and their diets lack the protein that they need to stay lean.   There needs to be some sort of a balance, where there is variety in your diet.....eating the same boring things day in a day out is enough to drive any of us into a snickers (or whatever is your preferred crash and burn!) filled food overload.  When you constantly deprive your body for too long, there will be a day when the proverbial dam breaks....and you eat anything, and everything!

When I am working towards getting leaner ( and yes, I go in phases.....so often times I am) I focus on protein, fruits and vegetables for most of my meals, and usually only have a serving of carbs at breakfast, and for the meal right after my workout to speed up my recovery:)

For carbs I usually choose things that are less refined:

Oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat pasta and bread and sweet potatoes.

I stay away from: white sugar, white bread, white rice, sugary cereal......

When I am as lean as I want to be I usually have a small serving of carbs 4 times a day.  Carbs can be a bit of a slippery slope for me.  To a point, I feel great when I add them into my diet....but too much, or too refined....and I go overboard!