I Quit Sugar – Book Review
I’m sure you know that sugar is bad for you.
I’m sure you know that most of us consume way too much sugar in our daily diets.
But – the question is – are you aware of just how much havoc sugar is wreaking on your bodies and what are you prepared to do about it?
In her book, I Quit Sugar – Your Complete 8-Week Detox Program & Cookbook, Aussie author and blogger Sarah Wilson shares what happened when she got tired of feeling sick and tired all of the time as a result of too much sugar in her diet.
I Quit Sugar contains Sarah’s story about how she discovered she was addicted to sugar – the reason she decided to remove sugar from her life – and her tips and recipes for helping you to do the same.
Be forewarned – Sarah’s program is not for the faint of heart!
In fact, you could call her program a little extreme.
Sarah advocates the elimination of excess sugar from our diets by advocating we focus instead on eating fats. Stuff like chicken skin… bacon… full-fat dairy products like milk and cheese…
Say what?
I’m sure doctors who are trying to get their patients to eat heart healthy would take exception to some of the dietary recommendations she is making in her book!
The bottom line is this: while I Quit Sugar contains some useful information and interesting recipes that could help you towards your goals for a healthier lifestyle, you really need to discuss Sarah’s program with your doctor before delving into this program.
Overall, I think your opinion of I Quit Sugar will depend in large part in what you expect from it.
Graphically speaking, in many ways I Quit Sugar reminds me of Pinterest on paper. The book contains 108 recipes – many of which are beautifully photographed – as well as Infographics, presented in a cool, color-coordinated palette.
Unfortunately, while the book is pretty to look at, the print is very tiny and difficult to read. The book was obviously not designed with older readers in mind.
If you’re looking for quick tips and tidbits of advice and gravitate towards simple, whole-foods-style diets, Sarah’s recipes may appeal to you.
However, if you’re looking for hearty standard fare that will feed your growing family while you try to lighten things up – this book will probably not meet your needs.
I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
I Quit Sugar by Sara Wilson – Book Trailer
About Sarah Wilson
Sarah Wilson is a journalist, television host, and blogger, and a qualified Health Coach with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York. She lives in Sydney, Australia.
For More Information
- Visit Sarah’s Website.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Connect with Sarah on Facebook and Twitter.
- I Quit Sugar is available on Amazon.
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Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through Blogging For Books for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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Thank you for the review. I recently purchased this book on Kindle and can’t wait to try some of the recipes…they look so good! We are using it as part of our approach to healthy eating. Blessings!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Hope you enjoy the book Diane!
I’d love to know which recipes you try and what you think of them.
I’m using the book the same way you are – as a tool towards better health!
Thanks for the book review! Pinning to Books. Linda Crafts a la Mode
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks so much Linda – appreciate the pin! 🙂
Thanks for this authentic review. I was drawn to read it by the title, since I recently quit sugar myself. As much as I like to peruse bookstores, I typically catch a title, then order on Amazon. Your review gave me a great overall background to decide if I really want to purchase. Thanks again to SITSsharefest for making the connection.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks for your feedback Caryn – so glad you enjoyed he review!
Good review. It’s hard to know which books to read and a good reviewer helps a lot!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks Danah! I hope you’ll check out more of my book reviews – there are tons to choose from!
Wow, thank you. I am on a journey of clean eating and going back to whole unprocessed foods. I will explore more about Sarah Wilson and her journey.
Visiting from SITS
Barbara @ http://www.allmylivesnow.com
I’m powerless over sugar and chocolate. Visiting from create with joy.
I’ve been so curious about this book! I’m a major sugar addict. It has been wreaking havoc on my health lately. It’s interesting to hear the types of fats she advocates. Thanks so much for the review! I may have to buy this. Pinning!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks Candace for pinning!
If you get it, I’d love to know your thoughts on the book!
Hello,
Visiting from SITS!
I eliminated all sugar from my diet for about a month and I felt great. But, I live in France and the temptation is all around. I am thinking of doing this again and your post def pushed me in the right direction.
Thanks so much.
Hugs from France,
Hata
http://www.chicagotofrance.com
I’ve read numerous reports about eating more fat – not sure how I feel about it though. I will check this out though! Stopping by from SITS!
Great review! I SO need to cut sugar. I can tell a big difference in the way I feel on the days I have too much. We are advocates, as well, of good fat (although I don’t eat chicken skin, I use it in my broth :)). Love seeing more and more books like this getting press.
I try my best to cut out excess sugar as much as possible. I’m a work in progress.
Great review. The idea to cut replace it with fats is very interesting..hmmm
Found you via SITS Sharefest 🙂
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
We’re all works in progress, Vashti! 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the review.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I quit sugar cold turkey! It was hell for about 4 days. On day 3 I think I was going through some serious withdrawal! I made it and everyone in my family is still alive so life is good!
Dropping by from SITS!
Glad to read your review. I just checked this book out but I haven’t read it yet. I’m trying to cut sugar out of my diet and I’m in need of helpful recipes. Stopping by from the Creative Style Link-up.
Interesting. I am actually working on cutting back on my sugar at that moment. I don’t think I could completely give it up. I have too much of a sweet tooth but I am trying to eat smarter. I do feel that in order to do that I need to cut out sugar. I’ve read a lot of interesting things about sugar lately. Great share.
Angela @ Time with A & N
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Hi Angela,
You and I are on the same page! I am also cutting back and focusing on making healthier, wiser choices!
Best of luck to you!
Interesting concept! I have read a lot of other material on this type of eating, and the science is pretty compelling, but I personally can never seem to stick to it. Thanks for sharing this review. Visiting for the blog hop…I hope you are having a great week!
Twitter: BethFishReads
says:
We eat much, much, much less sugar than the average American, but I’m not quite sure I buy the sugar is bad but fat is ok theory. Balance and moderation should be key.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
I totally agree with you Beth – I am into balanced diets and moderation – finding ways to eat healthy for life, not for a season!
Thanks for hosting your weekly party – I have some more cookbooks that I am looking forward to sharing with you in the weeks and months to come!
This method sounds similar to Atkins, South Beach, and other low-carb dieting. It really does work for a lot of people, but you can’t add carbs back in easily once you’ve lost the weight. It seems to work best for people who can’t consume sugar or other carbs in moderation and have to cut them out completely. The high-fat calories get burned off in the absence of carbs instead of going to the belly or the hips, so it’s great for a reducing diet, but it doesn’t sound like a good ongoing family diet to me either!
Huh, I hadn’t heard of this book before or the author. It sounds like she has a unique approach!
My son and I have had to eliminate sugar from our diets and adopt a Paleo-type diet for medical reasons. I do crave sugar, but overall, it hasn’t been that bad. As long as I still get my chocolate, I am OK! Fortunately, the darker the chocolate, the lower the sugar in it which is great for both of us because we love super-dark chocolate. Sometimes I use unsweetened baking chocolate to melt down and make treats for us, sweetening it slightly with Stevia – very tasty!
Thanks for the book review!
Sue
Book By Book
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks so much for sharing your experience Sue – this book, regardless of where you stand on the sugar issue, has obviously resonated with a lot of people based on the number of comments it has received!
I am working on eating more nutritiously and while I am not trying to totally eliminate sugar from my diet – I don’t consider that a realistic, sustainable goal for myself – I AM trying to reduce the amount of sugar I try to ingest. Like you, I am trying to fulfill my occasional chocolate cravings with dark chocolate, not milk chocolate (for snacks, I am going to the snack bins at places like Whole Foods and Sprouts and picking up Dark Covered Chocolate Almonds, Cranberries, and Blueberries and making portion-controlled snack packs so that they are there if I want them – but the amount is limited). I’m also taking a supplement – I don’t remember which one at the moment – that really reduces those chocolate cravings!
I read I Quit Sugar last year when it came out here in Australia, and have tried a few recipe.
http://astrongbeliefinwicker.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/i-quit-sugar.html
I remain more mindful of the debate, although I haven’t adopted a sugar free lifestyle. But I am doing a sugar free September starting next week- to give it a go, and hopefully lose a few kilos before I go overseas in October (where I will most definitely not be sugar free…)
Actually I need to dig it out and try some more recipes next month.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks for dropping by Louise – amazed at how many people have been interested in this book!
Apparently, the idea of quitting sugar resonates with a lot of us – whether or not we feel we can go all in!
Best of luck to you on your quest to go all in during September!
I pretty much follow the same “diet”, we call it lifestyle change since we have been doing it for over a year. We have been doing very low carb & high fat, and let me tell you, it has been the easiest way to lose weight and stick to it. My husband has lost over 100lbs & 60lbs myself. I won’t say never but I don’t see myself ever wanting to eat like I did. Sugar is much worse for you than most people realize. I wish more people would become more knowledgeable about sugar.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Wow, Melinda, that’s awesome! Congratulations to you both on making such tremendous changes in your lives!
I’ve never quit sugar completely, but I have limited my sugar, and it truly was amazing how I felt during that time period. I’m still very conscious of how much sugar I consume, but allow myself more indulgences. I just can’t completely quit it.
thanks for sharing this on Foodie Friday
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
I can’t quit completely either, Adelina, but it is amazing how different you feel when you limit your intake – and how overwhelming it feels when you add it back in!
Thanks for stopping by and best of luck to you on your quest towards better health!
That’s too bad about the type being to small.
I quit sugar myself about 8 years ago, after reading the book The Mood Cure. The handful of times I “cheated” since then and had some sugar it turned out really, really badly. Sugar can have very bad effects on the mood. If a person is eating sugar regularly he or she won’t necessarily notice the mood-killing aspect of it because he or she can just have more sugar any time one starts to come off of the sugar-high, but if a person goes off sugar for quite a while and then has some – watch out!
Twitter: StanleyNKatrina
says:
Well, I definitely have a sugar addiction. Interesting take on it to have the high fats… I can’t do that either. 🙂 Great post. I appreciate the detailed review.
This book is on my “to be read” pile, but I’ve leafed through it. There’s actually a surprising amount of evidence to suggest that eating more whole fats, including animal fats from healthy sources (ie: consider what the animals ate while living, and how they were butchered and processed), has a lot of merit for a healthy diet. I’ve personally seen this to be true with full-fat vs low-fat and fat-free options. I dropped 20lbs and a major reduction in headaches skin problems by changing just that one thing in my diet a couple of years ago. Anyway, great review! Thanks!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Congrats on your weight loss and health improvement Alena – isn’t it amazing what even a tiny step towards health can do?
I’m delighted you found my blog and glad you enjoyed the review.
I am looking forward to getting to know you! 🙂
Twitter: dearcreatives
says:
I don’t know that I could go cold turkey but, definitely love the idea of cutting way, way back. I don’t drink milk or eat chicken skin…Great review and thanks for sharing your thoughts and more about the book.
Great review though I’m not sure I could give up sugar…I love ice cream too much! She has an interesting take on focusing on fatty foods. Thanks so much for linking up with Share The Wealth Sunday!
xoxo
Lisa