+ DO I HAVE TO GIVE UP SUGAR FOREVER?

Everybody is different. Project Sugar free will help you find what works for you when it comes to sugar. Our programs will give you the chance to see what your life looks like and how you feel without sugar and without sugar cravings. You’ll also get a thorough education about how sugar affects your body and mind, giving you the tools, knowledge and experience to decide what’s best for you.

+ CAN I EAT FRUIT?

Yes, you can (in moderation).

+ ISN’T SUGAR NATURAL AND AREN’T WE SUPPOSED TO HAVE SOME SUGAR?

Absolutely. The human body can’t survive without sugar; every cell in our body needs glucose (a form of sugar found in fruits, vegetables, grains, bread, and pasta) to live. The sugar we ditch in our programs is added high-fructose sweeteners, which include granulated sugar, maple syrup, honey, corn syrup, agave and high fructose corn syrup. These are the sugars that cause you to gain weight, feel terrible, and that contribute heavily to diseases including cancer, mood disorders, dementia, alzheimers, fatty liver, diabetes, and other insulin related diseases.

+ DO I HAVE TO GIVE UP ALCOHOL?

Not necessarily. My approach allows for alcohol consumption in moderation.

+I’M SCARED I WILL BE MISERABLE WITHOUT SUGAR. IS THAT TRUE?

If you are asking yourself this question, it’s because sugar has hijacked the reward centers in your brain. Once you’re over the sugar withdrawals, your brain chemistry will get back in balance; which means you won’t be dependent on sugar anymore . (I’ll give you more on the science of this once we start working together.) You won’t crave sugar anymore. You will finally have the freedom to make more rational decisions about what you eat.

+ I’VE TRIED QUITTING SUGAR BEFORE AND IT NEVER WORKS. WHY WOULD THIS TIME BE ANY DIFFERENT?

Sugar is chemically addictive, which means that the cravings for sugar come from a part of the brain that doesn’t hear rational thought. They come from the survival part of the brain, which runs on autopilot with the goal of keeping you alive. The same part of your brain that tells you to breathe, to get out of the way of a moving truck, and to drink water when you’re thirsty, is also telling you to eat the ice cream. No wonder your past attempts have failed, right? Have you ever tried to talk yourself out of being thirsty? My point exactly. My programs at Project Sugar Free acknowledge this strong, subconscious grip that sugar has on your decision-making. We will give you the tools, education, and support you need to outsmart the part of your brain that is telling you to eat sugar, so you can make the long-term commitments.

+ WHAT ARE FREE SUGARS?

Free sugars (also called high fructose sweeteners) are ietary sugars that provide rapidly absorbed, concentrated doses of fructose as define by the Institute for Responsible Nutrition. Fructose is metabolized in the liver, and has no nutritional value and is linked to obesity and many modern diseases. Fructose is also addictive. Free sugars are found in more than 50 different sweeteners including table sugar, honey, molasses, agave syrup and fruit juice.

+ SUGAR ADDICTION IS A NEW CONCEPT TO ME. CAN YOU EXPLAIN IT?

Studies show that sugar is as addictive—even more than crack-cocaine and heroin. Sounds crazy, I know. But it’s true. Given the choice, cocaine-addicted rats will choose sugar over cocaine. That said, not everyone who eats sugar will become critically addicted to it. Taking a break from sugar, like hitting a “reset” button, will help balance your brain and body chemistry and give you the tools to help you decide what role sugar should play in your life.

+ DOES SUGAR FREE MEAN NO MORE DESSERTS?

No way, Jose. Our programs include decadent and delicious dessert recipes using fructose-free sweeteners. Whether your thing is apple pie or strawberry ice cream, I will give you no-brainer recipes for satisfying your dessert fantasies. (But I’ll let you in on a little secret: most of my clients find that, after a break from sugar, they don’t crave dessert. Hard to believe, right?)

+ WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT YOUR MEAL PLANS?

My clients rave about my meal plans and recipes. Not only is the food delicious. (And it is! Because they’re created by my sister Carolynn, an award-winning cookbook writer who has a knack for dishing up top-notch food that is fresh-tasting, healthy, and easy to make.) What’s more, the meal plans are brilliantly designed so that you mix and match and reinvent the various components to create a variety of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners to enjoy throughout the week. Clients often tell me that they don’t even want to eat sugar anymore because they can’t wait to go home and eat the food they’ve prepared.

+ BUT WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW HOW TO COOK?

Don’t worry. My recipes include my signature step by step meal prep plan and no-fail recipes. And they all come with pictures.

+ What if I don't like some foods in the meal plan? Are there substitutes?

You don't neccesarily have to go exactly by our meal plan-- use it as some ideas to get you started on your sugar free path. You can always substitute whatever you need in order to make it into something you will love! Our recipes are simple and easy to follow/substitute. As long as you don't cook/eat anything that has sugar in the first 4 ingredients you are in the clear.

+ WHAT ABOUT VEGETARIANS?

No problem. The majority of the recipes on my meal plan (and the majority of non-dessert recipes in the universe) can be adopted for a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.

+ WILL I LOSE WEIGHT?

Project Sugar Free offers the support, education, and proven techniques for teaching you a new way of living and eating that you can adopt for a lifetime. While weight-loss is not the goal, it is very often the result. In a relatively short period of time, your natural, healthy body size will emerge.

+ SHOULD I TALK TO MY DOCTOR FIRST?

It’s always a good idea to consult a doctor before making any dietary changes, especially if you have health issues. The information provided as part of this program shouldn’t replace advice from your treating health professionals.