Question - I accidentally had a swig of homemade lemonade

[jillian]

Though I believe that food doesn't "jump" into our mouths... tonight on Day 9 of my Whole30 it sort of happened that way. I accidentally took a swig of homemade lemonade. I made the lemonade for a guest - just lemon and sugar. I set my cup down next to hers and then the next thing I know I took a drink from her cup by mistake.

The question is ... do I have to start the Whole30 all over?

[Jeanye Mercer]

My vote is absolutely not!

[Carie Skeahan]

Agreed.

I am not sure starting over is necessary. I do however, believe this is a really good lesson in mindless eating, or in your case drinking. A girlfriend of mine mentioned she found a couple m&m's in her pocket and without thinking, popped them in her mouth.

It happens. Learn from it. Move on.

[Derval]

I *nearly* did something similar *so* many times, usually *about to* eat something the kids had left on their plates!

If life gives you lemons(ade)...move on

[UncleBobbyJr]

It happened to me just yesterday at the grocery store. I hand a cart full of veggies and grass fed meat and as I turned the corner of an aisle there was a sample table. The worker asked if I wanted to sample some chicken. I said, sure. As I took a bite I thought, that's a little salty but not bad. Then the worker told me about the product the was pre-seasoned and you can cook it in the bag. As I walked away it hit me. What did I just eat? What oils did they use, what chemicals are in that bag to preserve the meat and the seasoning?

I learned my lesson for mind-less eating. Plus, as I continued to chew and swallow I realized that it did not taste good at all.

[Robin Strathdee]

On more than one occasion I've had to spit something out (usually a chocolate covered raisin we were using for potty training) because I realized at the last minute what I'd done. I agree with the other Mods, no need to start over but a great lesson in (literally) watching what you eat - or drink.

[Tom Denham]

For some perspective... If you had eaten wheat, you would need to start over because just a bite could undo gut healing and would keep you from knowing what 30 days of clean is like. A swig of sugar might raise the sugar demons and make your life harder, but that drink didn't cause gut problems.

[jillian]

Tom,

So glad to hear this! It does not surprise me that a tiny amount of wheat requires hitting the "reset button". Is that the case with dairy, too? I'm glad my mistake was with sugar. I can tell that wheat and grains are my bigger issue. I rarely have a problem with sugar - but combine it with wheat or flour and I'm a junkie. That said, I will still be extra careful to watch which glass I pick up before I take a drink.

Thanks again for the info,

Jillian

[JimS]

I would say that resetting on account of eating dairy is probably a personal decision, largely dependent on whether you have issues with dairy. I reset my Whole30 last week after downing two large cups of Bulletproof Coffee that contained about 1/2 stick of organic unsalted butter. I don't have acute issues with dairy, but I was just ticked that I made such a mindless decision, so I reset. I like how I'm feeling eating strict Whole30, and I'm sure I will benefit by completing a strict 30 days.

[Jihan478]

Thank goodness for this post! I almost had a fit because I was breaking up a frozen ice for my godson with a knife, and when done licked the knife. Immediately I was like what did I do!! But after reading this, feel better:)