Like every other year, many Montrealers resolved to eat healthier in 2010. But now that we are coming to the end of February, most of us are realizing that facing our resolutions alone can be discouraging and downright scary. In Montreal, the eating coach Julie Audette leads her Défi 30 jours sans sucre (30-day sugar free challenge), proving that Montrealers can eat healthier and cut out refined sugar, sweeteners and processed foods from their diets.
What is a 30-day sugar-free challenge?
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© Julie Audette
During the 30-day sugar-free challenge, Julie coaches challenge-participants on how to eat properly at every meal and snack, providing participants with lists of foods they should eat, new ingredients they can use and recipes that they can prepare. She even recommends various Montreal shops carrying more wholesome ingredients, promoting small vendors at the local markets (like Hamel for cheese and Le Capitaine for eggs, both at the Jean-Talon market) and health food stores (like Health Tree). Yes, for the duration of the challenge, participants cut out all processed sugars and foods, caffeine and stimulants (like coffee) and even gluten from their daily diets. Although the restrictions may seem extreme, participants inevitably come up with more creative meal ideas, discovering new ingredients too.
It’s not as complicated as it seems!
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© Julie Audette
On days off, many busy Montrealers plan and prepare meals for the coming week. This is exactly what Julie promotes: a little planning and lots of home cooking with quality ingredients. She happily will accept daily food diaries from participants, providing helpful feedback and words of encouragement. Three times within the 30-day challenge, Julie organizes meetings where she checks in on participants, also offering more information about nutrition and her philosophy.
How will the 30-day sugar-free challenge affect me?
After 30-days of coaching, participants feel energized and invigorated from their new sugar-free, stimulant-free lifestyle. The sense of accomplishment from having actually survived without refined sugar, sweeteners, stimulants, gluten and processed foods in a world of microwave dinners and fast-food is wonderfully unique. Many participants even decide to prolong the challenge, while some slowly re-introduce a few of the habits that they used to enjoy, like for example, a morning coffee. With a little help and encouragement from an expert, Montrealers discover that it is never too late to eat clean and achieve a healthier lifestyle. Take the challenge!
For more information, consult Julie Audette’s website and blog.
Comments
Have you personally tried this?
George,
Julie is a wellness coach, a facebook friend of mine, and a very dedicated, enthusiastic, positive, and health conscious motivator. I have not tried it because I am a certified holistic nutritionist whose diet tends to reflect her challenge.
Cutting out processed foods, specifically processed sugars, and gluten is actually not that painful an experience. The great reward is how it can make a person feel: fabulous! I draw the line at coffee and black tea though, two drinks that, in moderation, can actually provide benefits. I consider them my indulgences.
Being coached and having support goes a long way. If you feel daring and love adventure, why not try it?
I did take the challenge and I was sugar-free for 40 days! I have happily kept up many of the habits since then. I highly recommend it!
I have long followed Julie's regimen and should mention that, although it is based on good principles, many people believe Julie to be someone she is not. Possibly because she promotes herself that way?
She is in no way a nutritionist nor a certified dietitian. She only shares what she reads off books and online blogs. And, although most if useful information, no one should by any means take her word for gold.
If there is anyone who is serious in changing a habit for a healthy benefit, I highly suggest they consult a professional for a REAL feedback. This 30 day challenge might be good for your body and would be fun to follow, but diabetics, anemics, and many other food-related (or any type of intake) health issues should not be considered as "safe" under this regiment.
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