By Amanda Tripp

Wanna take the 30 day no-sugar challenge? It’s not as crazy as it sounds and we found a sweet expert to scare the tartar off your sweet tooth – meet Julie Audette (lajulie.com) green-foodie, lifestyle coach and enemy of the beloved candy striper.

What is the one most important thing people should know about sugar, and don’t?

Sugar feeds cancer cells! To me, if this doesn’t make you scared about sugar consumption, nothing will! Also, sugar is directly related to obesity, diabetes and throws off the body’s homeostasis. It suppresses your immune system and your defenses against viruses or bacterial infections. As if this wasn’t enough, sugar strips the body of calcium, tapping in mineral reserves, causes depression and leads to cellular death. Just Google “dangers of sugar” and you will find tons of articles.

Yikes! In that case, what are the biggest advantages to eliminating (or reducing) sugar, temporarily and in the long term?

There are so many advantages, but the first one is that incredible feeling of renewed energy! Just after a week or two, you feel like a new person. You sleep better, you are more focused and in a better mood in general. After about two weeks, people lose their cravings for sugar, because they are learning to eat balanced so that they don’t crave energy, therefore sugar! Many people also feel relief from bloating, constipation or other digestive issues. Many participants experience fat loss, but the key to permanent fat loss remains consistency in keeping balanced lifestyle and eating habits.

How do the 30-day challenges work? Is it hard?

Through the meetings, online coaching for 30 days (with online forum) and the tools given such as food grids, shopping tips, grocery lists. People say they feel supported and being part of a group gives them the motivation they sometimes lack. Changing habits is not easy, so we tried to make it less difficult with support. Attendance at every meeting is highly recommended, since not only people get the support they need and answers to their questions, but they also benefit from tips shared. They feel energized by a group of people who are taking the same Challenge and are committed to improving their well-being! They also participate in interesting discussions on food habits and learn more about the things that influence our well-being, such as hydration, exercise, stress management and weight management. Several topics will be addressed as well, such as the quality of our foods, organic eating, local food products and seasonal concerns.

Are there any foods hiding secretly high sugar content that might surprise us?

There is sugar in almost every processed food you find at a regular supermarket. Everything packaged, canned, frozen is often times packed with sugar. The funny (but sad!) thing is that there is even sugar in salty foods! Sugar acts exactly like a drug, so it creates an addiction. Some food manufacturers want you to be addicted to their foods because it’s great for the business! Also, beware, anytime you see a –ose ingredient (sucrose, maltose, dextrose, etc.), it’s a form of sugar!

Why is this kind of challenge especially important in a big city like Montreal?

Montreal is renowned for its colourful gastronomy from around the globe, so I think that this has an influence on people’s interest for better eating. People love food in Montreal, but when they are at the grocery store, they don’t know what to buy and they often end up buying prepared meals for when they will be at home. They live a fast-paced life, they work hard and play hard and they often think that cooking is complicated and long. But the truth is; it isn’t. You just need to learn the basics, have the proper foods at home and get a little organized. I teach that in the Challenge.

Do you recommend any particular restaurants or food stores in Montreal that offer delicious sugar-free or low-sugar options?

Any good restaurant that serves fresh vegetables with fish, meat or legumes. You know, meals made from scratch. Free-range, pasture-fed, organic if you can find. Not many restaurants have this, but if you can at least eat at restaurants that serve fresh meals, you’ll be a winner. In addition, I recommend people to be curious and go to health food boutiques even if it scares them. They always find tons of tasty and healthy alternatives and are often surprised to be enjoying themselves. Finally, make sure you visit public market, especially outdoor markets when we have abundant seasonal and local products.

Can anyone take on this kind of challenge?

Yes, because The 30-day Sugar-free Challenge is not a diet; the purpose of the Challenge is to help people reach their wellness goals as they become aware of their eating habits. They (re)discover the pleasures of eating and enjoying their food. This is not about reducing portion size, counting calories or replacing meals with food supplements. It is about eating real food that respects nature, the seasons and the environment without compromising taste. Here’s what you will be eating: vegetables, fruits, certain whole grains, high quality meat and poultry, fish and seafood, seeds and nuts, good oils and fats, quality cheeses, spices and herbs. What we leave out : sweets, junk food, chocolate, stimulants such as coffee and energy drinks and commercially prepared meals- exactly what contains stuff your body doesn’t need!

Can you suggest some small ways people can start reducing their sugar intake, if they don’t feel ready to take the challenge plunge, and need to wean themselves off a little bit first?

Start by cooking, as simply as you want. Just buy fresh fruits and veggies and a lot of them (especially green veggies!), cut down on bread and pasta, reduce your desserts to once or twice per week, avoid coffee or just have one, once in a while. Start your day with a big and hearty breakfast, have a copious lunch and you’ll see, you will lose interest for out-of-control snacking and your Shrek appetite for dinner will decrease. Drink a lot of pure water, one cup of green tea per day, sweat a little every day for 30 minutes and go to bed at a reasonable hour.

Where do you hope to take your wonderful company next?

I want the 30-day Sugar-free Challenge to be worldwide! And I want LaJulie.com to be an online resource where you find inspiration to live a happier, healthier life. You know, healthy people think better, make healthy decisions, deal better with stress and produce less pollution. I always tell people that before trying to change the world or others, they should make themselves super healthy!

Sounds like a (cough) sweet deal.

For more information about Julie and her Sugar-Free Challenges, check out her site: www.lajulie.com or follow her on twitter @LaJulieCom (http://twitter.com/LaJulieCom)