Sarah Andersson wrote:I am pretty much sugar free after a friend gave me David's book for my birthday (8 May). I was able to cut out most sugar straight away except for the teaspoon of honey in my tea in the morning, which I reduced daily until it was a drop and now I don't reach for the honey anymore.  I feel really good after many health complications over the last 15 years.  I am about to sugar-free the family.  The husband is on-board (never really ate much sugar anyway - fruit juice his main vice). The kids (boy 12, girl 15) do a lot of sport, training, competitions at a high level, and while I suspect eventually they will perform even better I am concerned the low fructose diet may not provide the energy boost they need for training and competition. Any sugar-free athletes out there with any advice?

Sarah Andersson wrote:

Anthea Falkiner wrote:

Sarah Andersson wrote:I am pretty much sugar free after a friend gave me David's book for my birthday (8 May). I was able to cut out most sugar straight away except for the teaspoon of honey in my tea in the morning, which I reduced daily until it was a drop and now I don't reach for the honey anymore.  I feel really good after many health complications over the last 15 years.  I am about to sugar-free the family.  The husband is on-board (never really ate much sugar anyway - fruit juice his main vice). The kids (boy 12, girl 15) do a lot of sport, training, competitions at a high level, and while I suspect eventually they will perform even better I am concerned the low fructose diet may not provide the energy boost they need for training and competition. Any sugar-free athletes out there with any advice?

I'm certainly not an athlete, but I do know that I have WAY more energy and endurance without sugar in my body.  Sugar is false energy.  They can still get sustainable energy from good carbs.  One thing I notice this morning going for a run was that my breathing was so much better.  I'm asthmatic with sugar in my diet and not at all at the moment.  And that's in only 3 weeks.  I wouldn't worry about your kids AT ALL.  If they're on board with you that is absolutely fantastic - I wish mine were, you lucky thing!

Thanks Anthea, I think I will up the fruit (banana) intake on training days and see how that goes. Don't count me lucky yet....I only threw out all the sugar stuff yesterday (muesli bars, juice, sweet biscuits, lolllies etc) but am letting the last box of mini magnums last the weekend.  When school goes back (on Tuesday) it will be Day 1 for them. We have a two week agreement and then will assess how hard they think it is and how they feel about it.  The beauty of this 'diet' for them is that they don't have to eat more veges which has always been the stumbling block in the past. My method will be to help them rediscover their savoury taste.  Meanwhile boy 12, has been puking his guts out for the last 12 hours (gastro) and has only been able to keep down lemonade ice blocks and sips of powerade....not a great start.