Year With No Sugar – a Memoir
Reviewed By Grasshopper2 August 5, 2014
Author Eva Schaub
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ISBN: 9781402295874
Publisher: Barnes and Noble
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Website: http://www.barnesandnoble.com
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The title of this book raises so many questions. Why would you go without sugar for a year? Who would do that and how would it be done in a family?
In this well referenced memoir Eve admits she has always had a passion for food, (especially the sweeter kind) and is a “control freak.” She also has a fine mind and a curiosity that she needs to follow. When her husband showed her a U-tube clip one morning about the dangers of sugar, and its impact on the human body, Eve decided to investigate further.
The speaker was outlining the poisonous qualities of sugar, and how the food industry has unnecessarily added sugar to many, if not most, foods that we eat. The foreword by David Gillespie, an Australian expert on the dangers of sugar in our foods, gives substance to Eve’s concerns. She begins her research and contacts the authors of Web-sites and books.
The end of the year was approaching and Eve had an inspiring thought. What if she and her family (husband, and two girls aged 10 and 6) tried the no sugar diet for one year. After much consultation, and many alterations to the concept, they were ready to begin the New Year, sugar free.
As the year progresses, the family realise that the wider community—schools, sporting bodies, Scouts, all feel comfortable in keeping lollies as rewards. The children could make a choice to accept these treats outside the home, but needed to discuss it with their family later.
As Eve is not working outside the home, she has the time, when shopping, to read all labels, buy in bulk and hunt out unusual items such as Dextrose. This she uses as a substitute for sugar when cooking.
During the year, there are many testing times with birthdays, Halloween and Christmas. They manage these occasions by mostly substituting toys for candy and the occasional cookie. Eve becomes more philosophical about the importance of food in our Society and wonders if spirituality and feeding of the soul is linked to sharing food with loved ones.
Eve finds that, after the year was over, eating sugar leaves her mouth cloyingly sweet and causes her to develop headaches. The family still eats the occasional gelati and croissant, but have become so much more selective about the sugar they eat.
The unnecessary addition of sugar in foods such as Tomato sauce, bacon, mayonnaise and dried fruit, leaves us to question the intent of the food industry. The data on obesity and associated diseases is overwhelming, as these health issues are linked to sugar.
Readers who are interested in maintaining a healthy life-style for their families, will benefit from reading this book which is written with honesty and integrity.