The Sweet Poison Quit Plan

by David Gillespie

The Sweet Poison Quit Plan is the long-awaited 'how to' supplement to the best-selling Sweet Poison. It features: an overview of why sugar is bad and why we get addicted a five-step plan to kicking the habit tailored advice for men and women a guide to sugar-free shopping (how to read the labels and what is safe/unsafe in each supermarket aisle) recipes for sugar-free treats (think ice-cream and cakes) advice on living sugar-free with kids. Packed with reader anecdotes and lists to help you organize your sugar-free life, this book presents one of the most accessible and achievable strategies around for losing weight and avoiding some of the more pernicious lifestyle diseases that are increasingly associated with excessive sugar consumption. Gillespie is an informed and entertaining writer who makes his subject fascinating, and inspires with his passion and logic.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Food, Nutrition, Self Help, Diets, Reference

272 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2010

About the author

David Gillespie is a recovering corporate lawyer, former co-founder of a successful software company and investor in several software startups.

He is also the father of six young children (including one set of twins). With such a lot of extra time on his hands, and 40 extra kilos on his waistline, he set out to investigate why he, like so many in his generation, was fat.

He deciphered the latest medical findings on diet and weight gain and what he found was chilling. Being fat was the least of his problems. He needed to stop poisoning himself.

His first book, Sweet Poison, published in 2008 is widely credited with starting the current Australian wave of anti-sugar sentiment.

Reviews

[Kym Kettler-paddock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book, read it in a day, then decided I couldn't possibly cut sugar out of my diet and put it on my bookshelf. However, all the newspaper headlines about the adverse effects of sugar kept it in my awareness.

Then I just decided that I didn't want to count calories or measure every ounce of food anymore. I just wanted my appetite to work normally. I didn't want to crave sweet foods all the time. So, I re-read the book and decided to go cold turkey.

I haven't regretted it. I've lost the cravings, lost weight, and eat much better. The baked goods are quite tasty, and I enjoy their not-so-sweet flavour.

[Rurae · Rating 4 out of 5]

So. I need to lose weight. I also eat a lot of sugar. In fact I think I am addicted to the stuff. A while ago on my trawl around Amazon - I found a little book called "OMG I would die without Chocolate - how I quit sugar and didn't kill anyone".

Well with a title like that I had to read it. Turns out it was the true short story of how a reader managed when they did the Sweet Poison Quit Plan. Which of course meant then I had to buy the damned Sweet Poison Plan.

Now this book could join my shelves of diet books (yes shelves not shelf) and gather dust. or I could actually try it! I mean, you don't have to weigh crap out, or only eat foods that are green and have an M in their name! You just have to cut out sugar. Easy right?

Two little niggles I had. Firstly, I really don't think cutting out sugar and replacing it with tons of potato chips is that healthy?? Plus, if you ate a load of carbs wouldn't they turn to sugar in your body?? (Maybe not, I am no scientist).

Second quibble - sugar is in EVERYTHING!! So - I'm going to try. If I suddenly post a slew of one star reviews you know it's the sugar detox making me cranky ;)

[Claddagh1111 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sugar addict - I admit it. Late last year, I became aware of the damage it was doing to my body - particularly to my liver.

This book gives some strategies to help me change my way of eating and warns of the perils of so-called "low fat" foods. I was choosing the low-fat options and couldn't understand why I kept gaining weight. This book has de-mystified some of the reasons behind weight-gain.

I particularly like the "tongue in cheek" Australian approach to this very serious issue.

[Katy Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone needs to read these books!

[Annemieke Windt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now The Sweet Poison Quit Plan is another of those books I've seen when I was in Australia, not bought when I was there and spend ages finding on the internet. For over 13 years I've lived without, with a small measure of sugar of gorging on it. So there's a need to break the habit.

David Gillespie is an Australian man who decided to ban sugar from his life and in the book he offers a well informed argument against the use of sugar, especially the fructose type of sugar. We can have that kind of sugar when it's in its natural form: as whole fruit with skin. This is, Gillespie describes, because we need fiber to break down fructose. We can have small amounts of sugar.

The shocking thing in the book is the rise of the amount of sugar in our daily food. It's really everywhere, even where you would least expect it. According to Gillespie there are two ways of breaking the sugar habit: going cold turkey (I've once done that, literally the week before Christmas) of slowing weening yourself of sugar. But we all have to accept that nowadays we are members of the sugar addicts anonymous and when we really wish to be healthy we need a plan to quit sugar. And Gillespie offers a way to do that. It probably needs a European edition to make grocery shopping easier, but at least the book offers us a chance to read the labels correctly.

www.whattoreadandwhatnot.blogspot.com

[Erin72 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gillespie's writing style irritated me immensely. He really needs to research healthier alternatives, he lost me when recommending feeding my children vegemite and toast for breakfast

[Susan Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Motivating and easy to read, it has helped me get started on reducing sugar in my diet in practical ways. Not so into the recipes which use other sweeteners though.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written book and just what I needed!

[PrettyFlamingo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book scared me!

I am an ice-cream and chocoholic, and I also love the occasional glass of dry white wine and Prosecco. That is easy enough to eliminate, I guess, but what really scared me is the hidden sugar in our food that is sneaked in there and which we become addicted to through stealth.

All credit to David for losing 6 stones through giving up sugar. I tend to cook meals from scratch and don't use cooking sauces or eat ready meals at all, and have never had sugar in coffee or on fruit, so for me it is the extras that do the damage. I am not sure I can give these up entirely, but I can certainly limit it, and the damage that sugar can cause as set out in this book is enough to put the frighteners on anyone. This goes much deeper than being overweight - sugar really is poison.

I don't think I would use the recipes because I don't bake or eat enough cake to have to go to those lengths (I chickened out of Dry January because I don't drink enough to make a whole month cold turkey worth it!). But there are enough of them in there to show that you can have your cake and eat it.

Everybody should read this book.

[Katie Mcsweeney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the introduction and I have been convinced of the basic premise (sugar = trouble) but on the whole I wanted this book to tell me more. I wanted it to be a nutritional fountain of knowledge. Alas, this book is the Ronseal of nutrition-writing. Sugar is bad - stop eating it because it messes with the ability of the body to regulate hunger. The rest of the book is just a fluffing out of this sentence with evidence from research.

Personally, if I am going to wave goodbye to refined sugar then I would rather go the whole hog - and think of eating the way Michael Pollan suggests in Food Rules: An Eater's Manual.

This is Gillespie's second book, I have already bought the first, Sweet Poison, Why Sugar Makes Us Fat so I will read it. I suspect that maybe I should have started with the first one as the second has tested my patience.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrowed it from the library after a 7 month wait for it after watching to documentary on tv. I need another read but can't face the cue again. Wife was really impressed but she knows much about food as our child is type 1 diabetic. She now has given up added sugar where possible cutting cakes biscuits etc and watching for added sugar in store brought products. She has found it really easy to ditch and we both feel better without it. She has lost a couple of kg without even trying but it's taken 3 months but as she's changed nothing else of her eating. I struggle a little every now and then as I could inhale chocolate bars but in general think this book is a step in the right direction. Well worth the cost if you can find it.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely eye opening. Brilliant! Although I'm not sure I can avoid the Black Forest Hot Chocolate at Costa. Christmas is swiftly approaching. This may not be a good time to get it on with the world of no-sugar...or rather... less than 10g a day). I'm on Day One of withdrawal and I am positively gagging for a sweet hot drink. I'm going to keep going though and see how we do. I'm totally convinced that Sugar is evil (yet still oh so yummy at this moment in time...) I'll let you know how I'm doing if I'm still sane enough later in the process!! Really useful as well if you have kids and like me are worried about their "sweet-tooth"!! Great book though and read it in a day it's THAT addictive ;-)

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is very good if you enter into it with both an open mind and, preferably, little knowledge of sugar and the effects it has on the body. Sound odd? Well, I say this because the book would contain very little for anyone with the previously mentioned knowledge. It would be little more than a fairly good, if limited, sugar free recipe book along with some advice and anecdotes on keeping clear of sugar. As a working explanation of how sugar affects us, it's excellent. I came away from this book not only understanding why quitting sugar as much as possible would be beneficial to me, but also understanding about different sugars etc. all in all, recommended for anyone curious about the role sugar has taken in our modern world and the role it plays in our bodies.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read, credible explanation of why sugar is so bad for you. Also includes plenty of practical advice on how to quit sugar, what to buy and what to avoid. Somewhat repetitive but I guess no harm hearing the same message a few times to drive home the point.

Haven't had sugar for a few weeks now and I really don't have any interest in eating sweet food. Nice not to have to think of avoiding certain foods.

[LoLo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a very interesting book, very enlightening. It's almost completely convinced me not to eat sugar, and maybe another reading or two would REALLY convince me. His research is very clearly explained, but I question his logic of saying we should replace sweet foods with chips without it causing any health problems.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know that I eat too much sugar, and I expected this book to make me feel guilty. However, Gillespie focuses on explaining how the body handles (or doesn't )all the sugar that it consumes. It is not a pretty picture- fructose being the main villain. Will I give up sugar completely because I read this book? No. But I will think twice before I pop some m& m's just because they are in front of me.

[Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

After watching ‘That Sugar Film’ with David Gillespie as an advisor starring in the movie, I had to try this sugar-less diet. After trawling Amazon I found this book. What a revelation.
This book will help you, piece by piece, to give up sugar. It’s an easy read, that is not condescending or technical.
This will help you change your life. Fact.

[Jordyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't as good as I was expecting, was convincing but I felt as though he was very demanding in his writing and made me feel guilty and like an outsider (not that I even eat a lot of sugar) maybe it just wasn't my type of book.
Worth a read anyway.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slightly obsessive and one-dimensional. I am more of a fan of moderation and balance rather than absolute rules. However this book has inspired me to look at ways to minimise sugar intakes for myself and my children.

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

was very interesting. David show balanced views putting forward evidence for thinks he said was fact, telling when it was opinion and all way eager for you to think about it and make up your own mind.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, very well researched book. It is a little light on when it come to what people with diabetes type II might eat without danger, but overall it suggests a very sensible eating plan. It raises many very interesting facts. A must read for all people living in our Western society.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty one-dimensional and obsessive.
Is bound to spark yet another fad.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant & has helped to change my life. However, I gave it only 4 stars as it can be a little repetitive. Still, I HIGHLY recommend it.

[Farrah · Rating 4 out of 5]

REally interesting and something i will refer to again and again

[Nik · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book, full of interesting research & a touch of humour here & there too.

[Nina Yucateca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you!

I have dabbled with quitting sugar. My longest stint was for two years. This book has given me what I need to get back on track. Useful, motivating, much appreciated.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A customer of mine lent me this book to read however i only skim read it as i didn’t want to borrow it for too long as there are recipes in the back that she was using. I don’t think that was the best idea as i got the overall picture but there were some things i missed, now having bought it and read it again properly.

The book is basically the follow on from Sweet Poison: Why Sugar Makes Us Fat (which i have not read but am planning to) in that it briefly tells us what sugar is doing to our bodies however it is more detailed on how we can quit sugar for ourselves. You’re probably meant to read the first book first so you get a more detailed idea on what sugar is actually doing to our bodies and then read the second book for a step by step plan on how to quit sugar. Obviously i didn’t do that so my opinions may change slightly on the actual content when i read the first book.

The book was laid out in an easy to read and follow format, written in the conversational style that i love. It was very factual, backed up with studies/research that he has included links to at the end (which i think is very important).

When i first read the book i was already cutting out sugar from my diet because i knew it wasn’t good for me however it was interesting to read what it was actually doing to my body. Basically sugar (sucrose) is made up of one part glucose and one part fructose. Our bodies obviously run on glucose as that is what it converts food into so as long as you’re only eating as much glucose as your body needs, that is fine. However our bodies were not meant to be digesting large amounts of fructose, therefore causing all sorts of problems. I became an instant convert to the anti-fructose movement and either cut out anything containing sugar at all (like BBQ sauce) or making baked goods containing glucose only. As i had already been cutting out sugar (and I’m more of a savoury person than sweet – give me hot chips over cake any day) it wasn’t a huge step for me as it might be for some. Did i lose heaps of weight? No. Did i have lots of weight to lose in the first place? Not really. Was i strict and cut out sugar completely forever? No. My results are therefore void as i didn’t follow “the plan” completely. I also think that from what he said from the amount of sugar he was consuming, cutting out sugar would have definitely made him lose the amount of weight that he did.

Reading the book properly the second time around, other points have come up. I started seeing my naturopath again, who is also an Iridologist, and she raised the point that the glucose i was buying was still processed and how was that affecting my body? That certainly stopped me in my tracks and like anyone who has been devoutly following some kind of regime and spouting its wisdom, when someone questions you and it makes you doubt, you tell yourself that they just don’t know what they’re talking about. I have since accepted that maybe she has a point, and so my husband and i have done some research. I think i am more confused than ever as i know i shouldn’t be consuming fructose but then the glucose available to me, well how do they extract it? You’d probably throw the towel in at this point and say “Well, we’re all doomed so we may as well eat sugar” or never eat fructose or any processed form of glucose again (which pretty much rules out any kind of sweetener).

There were also some things that didn’t sit quite right with me. From what i gathered (and if I’m wrong then that’s fantastic) he doesn’t really believe in exercise (unless you enjoy it). Exercising is not just about losing weight and you need to do it. Why? There are so many reasons. Here’s a good one. The more a man works out, the more testosterone he releases, the more desire he has for sex. Obviously if you’re in a relationship where you’re the woman who pretends she has a headache all the time because you don’t want to have sex you wouldn’t want that (that’s a WHOLE other kettle of fish that makes me angry) however if you’re in a healthy, loving, honouring relationship then that’s a great bonus! However in terms of health wise, you need to exercise to increase your metabolism, give you energy and make you happy. Like in Legally Blonde – “I just don’t think that Brooke could’ve done this. Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.”

I think the book brings up some great points however (and as he states) there is so much more research that needs to be done. I want to be healthy and i know that sugar (fructose) in anything other than tiny amounts is doing my body damage. I also know that the form of glucose available to me is not the answer either. In the mean time, the best thing i will be doing for my body is cutting out sugar as completely as i can, eating as little processed foods as i can and choosing carefully what foods that do contain fructose, that i want to consume.

Overall i would definitely recommend this book as it makes you think about what sugar is doing to your body and brings up some valid points. I do however believe that you shouldn’t take it on like it’s the bible on sugar. Definitely look up the links he draws his conclusions from, definitely do your own research, however definitely reduce your sugar!

NOTE: Unlike my other reviews, this was not very neutral and very personal.

www.readingforthemasses.wordpress.com

[NeliaRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading this I actually have stop eating sugar and found that this was the motivation I needed. Hopefully will continue to kick that sugar addiction over the coming months! Really worth knowing what we are doing to our bodies even if you don’t want to quite all together. Having the knowledge is still helpful!

[Nancie Lafferty · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a lot of interesting and compelling information in this book. Sugar is definitely not a healthy choice and sugar is in almost all highly processed food. I have pretty much banished sugar from my diet and most baked goods. Still have a weight problem, so, sad to say, this is not the 100% solution for me, although I no longer feel hungry all of the time. Time will tell, I guess.

[FairyDuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book. For those with weight issues this book offers information on how sugar works in the body.