If you joining me for the 10 Day Sugar Detox then you may want to start going without refined sugar before we start. Of course, there is Memorial Day. So what are you going to do?
You can always bring something that is less sweet with you.
Maybe for dessert, you bring some fresh fruit with Greek yogurt and nuts. Do you make a low or sugar-free BBQ sauce or ketchup – bring a small container of it and ask for your meal without anything on it and add your own. It is a small amount of effort if you already purchased on made those condiments.
Decide What You Want for Your Holiday
Here is where you get to decide what is important to you for the holidays. Is it important to go and have anything that is there without concern for what is in it? Good, do that.
Do you want to look for healthier foods at the party? That works too.
Do you want to bring your own and know that you are not eating any refined sugar? Go for it.
You could even bring a side or dessert to share that is low or no refined sugar. Someone there may thank you for providing a sugar-free option.
Whichever way you want to holiday is up to you. The best thing is to like your decision and stick to it.
If you party with health nuts then you are good to go with deciding to have a sugar-free holiday. You will have options that you will enjoy. If you party with standard American diet folks and don’t bring all your own then make sure your plan includes having some sugar.
You are at the Standard American Diet Party
What can you do to decrease the amount of sugar you consume? Have your burger or bratwurst without ketchup. You might want to look at the bun package as well to check for added sugars and leave it behind. You can wrap your burger in lettuce or cut it and eat it with a fork.
Check the packages if the salads are from a store. What if they all have sugar, choose the one you enjoy the most whether that is potato or macaroni or the side salad. If you get the side salad and there is no dressing on it yet then you have an opportunity to decrease sugar with the kind or amount of salad dressing you use.
How about the chips and pretzels? It’s your holiday. What did you decide about what you would have. Check the chip bags. Many flavored chips will have added sugar used in the flavoring.
What about something sweet? Have some fruit. Maybe there is some whipped cream with it. How about looking at all the sweet choices and choosing the best one.
But I want two desserts because holidays are the only time Grandma or Mom makes it. You know that going in when you decide what you’ll eat. Maybe have half a piece or serving of each of the 2 desserts.
Then there is alcohol. Understand that alcohol requires your liver to work and your liver prioritizes it over other things that needed detoxing from the body. I understand this may be one of the only times you drink.
Two servings of alcohol is what your liver can handle well. For men up to four servings. Take that into consideration when you choose to drink. Also, check the label and know how much added sugar is in the alcohol you like to drink.
You can make this Memorial Day a little to no sugar day with a little extra effort. Is there a special food that you really want? Look for a recipe for a no-sugar version and make it.
Fix Your Mind Choose Your Thoughts
The important thing is not to feel deprived or restricted. Decide how you want your day to be. Choose if it is a no, low, or any amount of sugar day and enjoy it.
If you hear yourself say “I can’t have that.” Then change your mind. “I choose not to have that and I’m having this instead.” Or “I choose to enjoy the company or play a game with the kids, or walk around the neighborhood with friends.”
What makes this day special for you. What do you enjoy the most? Does your friend or relative really care if you have alcohol in your hand or water? Nope. They are there to enjoy your company.
If they do mention your plate or your drink then you can tell them how happy you are putting things in your body that make you feel good instead of things that make you feel sick. Maybe they will join you.
