Hannah: 'I’m noticing my attitude towards food is changing.'

Hannah: Week two has been a test. On hearing the devastating news that my aunt is losing her battle with cancer, my routine has been somewhat disrupted, as I’m travelling more and rowing less. Comfort food at the ready!! And boy, I’m glad I have Davina’s recipes to help me through.

By far my favourite creation so far has been the date and honey flapjacks (p. 178). I’ve heard other people raving about them too, about how rewarding (and easy!) it is to make them yourself at home.

Sweet potato fries with paprika were also a treat - a delicious side to accompany my cheese and tomato omelette.

Friday night pizza has been replaced by Friday night pittas (p.161), with the added bonus that I get to make them however I like! I went for ham and mushroom with added sundried tomatoes.

I’m noticing my attitude towards food is changing. I’m becoming more aware of what I’m eating - I only want to eat it if it’s good for me. The harsh reality of cancer has made me even more conscious about looking after myself, I think. I check food labels. I buy pears, eggs and avocados - and enjoy them! Poached egg with avocado on toast, by the way, is inspired. (p.28) I was always dubious about egg and avocado together but after hearing my crewmates rave about it one morning after training, I decided to see what the fuss was about, and I can’t believe I hadn't tried it before now - a superb post-workout brunch.

Plus, eggs are so versatile! I got competitive with my housemate over the price of his £1.50 ready-meal versus the cost of my omelette - eggs are cheap cheap (sorry!), can be served on their own, with toast, in a cake (a sugar free one at least) and contain no added salt or preservatives… unlike a ready-meal! So even if, all-in, an omelette might cost the same amount, the nutritional value was way higher. I win.

In between meals, however, there has remained a backdrop of temptation. Whether it’s cupcakes made by colleagues, a breakfast of pastries put on by work, or dinner out with housemates who order an extra pudding so that we can 'all share', it is at this point I will confess, I broke my sugar ban. I didn't go mad but I had a taste, and what a relief to discover I didn’t enjoy it. I must be so used to natural sugars now.

So does that mean I’ve failed my challenge? I don’t see it that way, no. Habits are hard to break, and I’m on a learning curve. It is, after all, through our failures that we learn most.

As I write this, two members of my family are downstairs tucking into apple and blackcurrent tart, which was the catalyst I needed to blog this week’s battle. That pretty much sums up my second week of my Sugar-Free challenge. Temptation is absolutely everywhere, and I’m learning how to say no.