Going Sugarless - Taste Buds Has Changed
@Masihi (4413)
Canada
June 25, 2011 10:19pm CST
I'm now into Week #3 into my Going Sugarless experiment. After staying away from refined sugars and even junk foods for a while, I decided to see what would happen if I ate some Cheetos (some sort of crunchy cheesies) that were my favourite. The result was that I no longer liked them anymore. They left this awful taste in my mouth and I could taste the grease in them. Strange, but it seems like that my taste buds have changed.
Now, I've never given up honey or molasses or pure maple syrup, it's just that i haven't used those products during this time. I took a tiny taste of honey, just dropped a drop of honey onto my finger and tasted it just yesterday and found it was sweeter than I remembered. Same as molasses when I was baking ginger spice cookies for my family. So that means that I'm finding that the less sweet that I eat, the less I'll actually miss it? Could be possible, but all I know now is that it's an observation. I will say that I am happy with the change in tastes, because I'd really like to LIKE my healthier foods as opposed to the old junk I used to gorge on day in and day out for the first 30+ years of my life!
I've been ill and low in energy due to an infection in the throat plus a cold on top of that, so I haven't been able to do anything about my pilates plan. But I have been walking and biking and the like, spending more time outdoors. I'm getting better now, so I'll probably be back on my feet completely by Monday.
3 people like this
4 responses
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
26 Jun 11
Very interesting to hear that your taste buds have changed. I wonder if you will even like some sweet stuff after the experiment as it will all taste kind of foreign when you attempt to begin to eat them. I also wonder if what you did not like before you may like now. Hmm this is quite interesting.
Happy to hear that you have stuck to your experiment. Keep up the great job as we are routing for you.
2 people like this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
26 Jun 11
Ya, it's defintiely something I've never expected at all in this experiment, and that's why I brought it up as a discussion topic. It's nice to be able to get feedback and personal experiences, as it's all very educational for me. In the end I hope to write up a big summary of the experiment in hopes it will inspire others who are struggling in their weight loss endeavours. It's definitely interesting to me as well.
1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
27 Jun 11
I thought our taste buds changed as I stopped all fast foods for a very long time, years actually and now to date I can't seem to really care for them and or they just do not taste the same as they did once before.
Masihi is doing so well and so inspiring with her updates. 
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@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
27 Jun 11
You know, guys, that's a HUGE major relief to know that the taste buds will change for the good even after years. Though I've initially decided to just give up sugar, I found myself giving up junk food before I realised it. Today my husband put on french fries and fish sticks for himself and the kids while I had a salad with pepper, salad herbs, and cheese in it, and I couldn't get over the smell of the grease from the fries! They were baked in the OVEN, mind you! 
Those were my favourite kind, too, the spicy kind. I decided then and there that I wasn't going to consume any more French fries again, at least for a looooooong while. Hmmphf!
Those were my favourite kind, too, the spicy kind. I decided then and there that I wasn't going to consume any more French fries again, at least for a looooooong while. Hmmphf!1 person likes this
@hdc4free (260)
• United States
26 Jun 11
Several years ago I cut out all refined sugars from my diet also and I had the exact same effect. I stopped eating them entirely for about 2-3 months and I did not crave any junk food, candy or desserts at that time at all. After awhile I stopped being so strict on my diet but my taste buds had changed too by this time. I started letting myself eat a little candy or ice cream here and there and I was shocked that I could only eat a little bit before thinking it was way too sweet for me.
Now it has been maybe 12 years or longer since I did that and still I only have a little taste for sweets, I can eat maybe a little "fun size" candy bar and any more than that seems like it is just way too much sugar. I think this also happens with greasy/fatty foods, if you stop eating them for awhile and then start again you can only have a little bit before it starts to be icky! At least it has worked that way for me. Hope you have something tasty today, I am off to the natural foods grocery store myself to try and find some yummy & healthy stuff!
Feel better soon!
2 people like this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
26 Jun 11
Wow, thanks so much for sharing your experience, I really do appreciate this. It's nice to know that others have gone through what i've experienced so I know now what is going on with my body's reaction to my diet change.
I wonder if the taste buds change would be permament? If so, that would work in our favour as we will be more apt to eat healthier not only now, but also in the future.
1 person likes this
@hdc4free (260)
• United States
28 Jun 11
I don't know if it's permanent, I can eat desserts now but I don't want much, like a small cookie or a little scoop of ice cream (1/4 cup or so) and that satisfies my sweet tooth, any more and it gets to be too much. Good luck, hope it works the same for you, I love that I can have just enough sweets without overindulging. (french fries however I never lost the taste for darnit! LOL)
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@gdesjardin (1918)
• United States
28 Jun 11
When I found out I was diabetic I had to change my eating habits and be careful in the food that I selected. I really was not much of a sugar eater, but I did love my high carb foods, especially pasta. I started out cutting all the "bad diabetic" food out, and then very slowly reintroduced them into my diet. I have found that I can't eat nearly the about of carbs that I used too only because it seems so heavy on my stomach. Certain foods that I used to like I don't care for anymore and food that I never liked I truly enjoy now. Funny how your taste buds work. I hear that your taste buds change over the years and that is why some foods you liked or didn't like as a child, you now like or don't like as an adult.
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
28 Jun 11
Well, I am glad to be getting rid of my taste for junk food, that's for sure. I never did like fish as a kid, still don't, perhaps I'll finally fulfil Hubby's dreams of me liking fish, hehehe
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
26 Jun 11
I can relate. When you really stop eating a lot of sweet stuff, your taste buds do change. I would love if we learned in school more about body chemistry. Just like now, my appetite has been drastically limited because of my change in diet. Now, just like the ol' Atkins, I can eat as much meat (protein) as I want. I will add back in greens, mainly spinach back, but now I really have to remind myself to eat. I am not sure why this happens biologically but this is how my body responds. I am also finding it easier to get my water intake at a high level (about 10 or more glasses or more a day).
I also have to get back on my jogging but I am getting in some strecthing and have tons of energy.
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
27 Jun 11
I'll be starting tomorrow, actually, as the last part of the infection in my throat has gone now, and my energy is slowly coming back. And you're right, I was constantly getting up in the middle of the night just to go to the loo when it wasn't the norm for me, but now I'm able to hold my water more.
1 person likes this
@Beaufly (991)
• United States
26 Jun 11
I think I am going out for a walk now, get some fresh air and away from the computer. I also have to get some new sneakers, it's time. Water helps with a feeling of fullness and your body adjusts to this also. Initially, you are in the bathroom every 5 minutes and then it lessens.
Hope you feel better and are able to up your exercise soon, my friend!
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