How To Quit Sugar In 2 Easy Steps [+ Recipes] (2024)

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How do you actually stop eating sugar and why does it even matter, especially if you're looking to achieve a weight loss goal? Today I'm breaking down the super simple 2 step process of how you can quit sugar easily and achieve your weight loss goals!

*I also have a video version of this article, so if you want to follow along with the video, scroll down!

How To Quit Sugar In 2 Easy Steps [+ Recipes] (1)

What Is Sugar?

Technically, all carbohydrates will break down into sugar. Sugar is the most basic building block of carbohydrates and the body breaks down all (digestible) carbohydrates into sugar. This means sugar can technically come from healthy sources such as sweet potatoes and butternut squash.

But unless you are extremely carbohydrate sensitive, these aren't the types of sugars you need to be worried about when working toward a weight loss goal. When we're talking about "quitting sugar", we're focused on the dense and refined sources of sugars, such as cane sugar, honey, maple syrup, agave, high fructose corn syrup and coconut sugar.

Related: How To Detox From Sugar FAST

What Happens When You Eat Sugar?

When you eat sugar, the body releases the storing hormone insulin. The more insulin the body releases, the harder it can be to switch back into lipolysis (aka fat burning). Foods that contain high amounts of fiber and less sugar, such as whole fruit or vegetables, will cause the body to secrete much less insulin than foods that contain low fiber and high sugar, like fruit juice or added sugars. With this in mind, one of the main goals with weight loss is to help the body get back into fat burning as quickly as possible - which is where greatly reducing or removing dense sources of sugar can be very helpful.

Related: How Much Weight Can You Lose In A Month?

How To Quit Sugar In 2 Easy Steps [+ Recipes] (3)

What Foods Have Sugar?

Foods that are high in sugar include (but are NOT limited to) honey, maple syrup, fruit juice, soda, cookies, ice cream, sweetened coffees, cane sugar, agave syrup/nectar, coconut sugar/nectar, high fructose corn syrup, protein bars, cereals, most bread, most salad dressings, sweetened yogurts and coffee creamers.

Related: The Top 6 BEST Pasta Alternatives For Weight Loss

Why Do We Crave Sugar?

If we can understand why we crave sugar, then we can understand how to stop craving sugar and finally achieve and maintain a weight loss goal. It all comes down to some basic physiology: Our body always wants to maintain a steady blood sugar level. When this dips down, we enter into a lower blood sugar state and sometimes even hypoglycemia. When blood sugar dips, the body sends urgent signals to eat something to bring blood sugar back up - cue hanger and immediately searching your pantry for chocolate.

Ironically, what can typically cause these low blood sugar states is eating foods high in sugar or high in refined carbohydrates. This causes a spike and rapid fall in blood sugar and increased sugar cravings as a result. (Watch the video below for a more details breakdown of this phenomenon).

Related: The Top 10 Fruits To Eat For Weight Loss

How To Quit Sugar In 2 Steps

Now that we know what causes sugar cravings, we can jump into the two step process of stopping sugar cravings.

Step 1: Start your first meal with protein, fat and fiber

Each of these food components specifically aims to balance blood glucose levels and boost satiety (aka, that sensation of feeling full and satisfied after a meal). Protein signals the satiety hormone peptide YY, fat signals the satiety hormone CCK and fiber acts on the stretch mechanism in the stomach to tell your brain that you don't need to keep eating. So not only do each of these food components help you feel full and satisfied, none of them will spike blood glucose levels either, which helps to keep blood glucose levels stable (bye-bye sugar cravings!).

Step 2: Don't add any added sugars

As we've noted, the more added sugars you use, the more likely your blood glucose levels will go on a wild ride and stimulate more sugar cravings. So by focusing on protein, fat and fiber rich foods and NOT adding sugar, you're able to feel full and satisfied without triggering sugar cravings.

Related: 5 Breakfasts You're Eating That Are Causing You To Gain Weight

A Day Of Zero Sugar Meals

Not eating added sugars for a day can actually be surprisingly easy and delicious! Check out my example meal plan below. You can also find my full 7 Day Detox with zero sugar recipes, additional strategies and meal plans HERE.

Breakfast: Keto Coffee + Greek Berry and Cream Smoothie

Lunch: Cauliflower Rice Spicy Burrito Bowl

Dinner: Zucchini Sundried Tomato Lasagna

Related: 7 Day Sugar Detox Program (Full Meal Plan!)

Your Nutritionist,

Autumn

How To Quit Sugar In 2 Easy Steps [+ Recipes] (6)

Autumn Elle Nutrition

How To Quit Sugar In 2 Easy Steps [+ Recipes] (2024)

FAQs

What is the easiest way to quit sugar? ›

10 Ways to Quit Sugar
  1. Read the Label Details. Knowing what foods have sugars, hidden or not, can help you cut out sugar. ...
  2. Limit White Sugar. ...
  3. Switch Out Sugary Drinks. ...
  4. Reorganize Foods at Home. ...
  5. Make Foods and Drinks from Scratch. ...
  6. Swap Treats With Simple Carbs. ...
  7. Remember Sugars in Restaurant Foods. ...
  8. Don't Stop Sugar Cold Turkey.
Nov 7, 2023

What is the fastest way to detox your body of sugar? ›

8 Tips and Suggestions for You to Sugar Detox your Body
  1. Don't Quit Sugar, Replace It. ...
  2. Avoid Sugary Drinks. ...
  3. Cut Down on Sugary Desserts. ...
  4. Include Full-fat Foods in Your Diet. ...
  5. Stay Away From Processed Food. ...
  6. Include More Protein and Fiber in Your Diet. ...
  7. Stay Hydrated. ...
  8. Keep Your Stress Level in Check.
Jan 3, 2023

What is one thing you can do to reduce the amount of sugar you eat? ›

Cut back on the amount of sugar you add regularly to beverages and foods including cereal, pancakes, coffee or tea. Try cutting the usual amount of sugar you add by half. Continue to decrease the sugar until your taste buds adjust. Swap out the sugary sips.

How long does it take to detox from sugar? ›

Done correctly, it takes about 2 to 3 days to detox from sugar. You'll know it's happened because your cravings will diminish, your energy will increase, and you'll crave healthy foods more than unhealthy ones. If it takes longer than 3 days, it's time to check for hidden carbs and sugars in your food and beverages.

What foods can I eat on a no sugar diet? ›

Foods to eat
  • Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, carrots, asparagus, zucchini, sweet potatoes, etc.
  • Fruits: apples, oranges, berries, grapes, cherries, grapefruit, etc.
  • Proteins: chicken, fish, beef, tofu, eggs, etc.
  • Healthy fat sources: egg yolks, avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil, unsweetened yogurt, etc.
Feb 26, 2021

What is the best drink to detox sugar? ›

Homemade sugar detox drinks include options like lemon water with mint, cucumber and ginger-infused water, Tulsi Water, Neem water and herbal teas. These beverages can aid in reducing sugar intake, promoting hydration, and supporting overall health.

What to eat if you crave sugar? ›

What to eat when you're craving sugar
  • Apricots and almonds. Dried fruits and nuts can help you have a healthy snack on hand when you're on the go. ...
  • Greek yogurt and cinnamon. ...
  • Peanut butter and an apple. ...
  • Cottage cheese and blueberries. ...
  • Hummus and raw veggies.
Aug 11, 2022

Can I eat fruit on a no-sugar diet? ›

Including whole fruits in a no-sugar diet can still be healthful. However, if a person chooses to eat dried fruit, they should do so in moderation and look for varieties without added sugar. Eliminating sugar from the diet is not a complete solution for weight loss.

What is the hardest day of a sugar detox? ›

You may experience: Fatigue, cold- and flu-like symptoms, low blood sugar, or self doubt. Day 3 is the beginning of some of the hardest days for most folks! Your best bet: Realize that you are likely not experiencing a real cold or flu but the effects of detoxing from sugar.

How do you get sugar out of your system asap? ›

Hydrate. Flush out all that sweet stuff from your system by hydrating ASAP with water or other low-sugar fluids, and foods high in water content. "Drink plenty of water and go for foods like watermelon, cucumbers, strawberries and yogurt," Seaver says.

What is the best food to reduce sugar? ›

5 Superfoods to Lower Your Blood Sugar
  • Berries. Don't make your trip to the store fruitless. ...
  • Go nuts. That's right—go ahead and snack on almonds, cashews or even pistachios. ...
  • Leafy greens. ...
  • Non-starchy vegetables. ...
  • Whole grains.

What happens after 2 weeks of no sugar? ›

Stabilized mood

Sugar highs and lows can affect your mood, leading to irritability and mood swings. A diet low in sugar can help stabilize your mood, reducing anxiety and depression symptoms. By adhering to a 2-week no-sugar diet, you can experience these benefits, leading to improved overall health and well-being.

What to eat to cut out sugar? ›

Healthier snack options are those without added sugar, such as fresh or tinned fruit (in juice, not syrup), unsalted mixed nuts, plain popcorn, rice cakes, crackers topped with lower-fat cheese or lower-sugar yoghurts. If you are not ready to give up your favourite flavours, you could start by having less.

What snacks have no sugar? ›

Best snacks for a no sugar diet.
  • Banana Oat Energy Bars. Grated carrots and apple combine with mashed banana, unsweetened applesauce, rolled oats, and chopped peanuts. ...
  • Quick Black Bean Hummus. ...
  • Gourmet Microwave Popcorn. ...
  • Hatch Chile Salsa. ...
  • Baked Tortilla Chips. ...
  • Guacamole. ...
  • Roasted Chickpeas. ...
  • Super Easy Hummus.
Aug 30, 2021

What bread has no sugar? ›

Bread could be a sneaky source of added sugar, even in whole-grain options like multigrain or whole-wheat. Some have more than 1 teaspoon (4 grams) per slice. Many types of sprouted grain bread have no added sugar or just 1 gram.

How to flush sugar out of your body overnight? ›

Stay hydrated. The more water you drink, the more sugar will rinse from your body. Eat a diet featuring lean proteins (fish, chicken, cheese sticks, etc.) combined with high-fiber vegetables (leafy greens, cauliflower, cabbage, etc.).

What vitamin deficiency causes sugar cravings? ›

1. Lack of calcium and magnesium causes cravings for sweets. If you are craving sweets like carbonated soft drinks, you may be lacking in calcium and magnesium, making your body tired and not alert.

Can I eat bread in a no sugar diet? ›

Read labels carefully and choose sugar-free or homemade options whenever possible. White bread and pastries are refined carbohydrates that can quickly spike blood sugar levels. Opt for whole-grain bread and pastries made with minimal sugar or explore low-carb alternatives.

Can I eat peanut butter on a no sugar diet? ›

Yes, without a doubt! Sugar-free peanut butter is a better option than regular peanut butter. Peanut butter is high in protein and healthy fats. Sugar-free peanut butter contains fewer calories than regular peanut butter.

Can I eat cheese on a no sugar diet? ›

Protein: You can eat low-fat dairy like milk, cheese, and yogurt; eggs; nuts; fish and shellfish; and many lean meats, including beef and pork.

What is the quickest way to lower sugar? ›

The quickest way to lower your blood sugar is to take fast-acting insulin. Exercising is another fast, effective way. However, in severe cases, you should go to the hospital. High blood sugar levels are known as hyperglycemia or high blood glucose.

What happens after 2 weeks of no-sugar? ›

Stabilized mood

Sugar highs and lows can affect your mood, leading to irritability and mood swings. A diet low in sugar can help stabilize your mood, reducing anxiety and depression symptoms. By adhering to a 2-week no-sugar diet, you can experience these benefits, leading to improved overall health and well-being.

How do I break my addiction to sugar? ›

Other Things That May Work
  1. Drink a glass of water. Some people say that dehydration can cause cravings.
  2. Eat a fruit. Having a piece of fruit may help satisfy sugar cravings for some people. ...
  3. Avoid artificial sweeteners. ...
  4. Eat more protein. ...
  5. Talk to a friend. ...
  6. Sleep well. ...
  7. Avoid excess stress. ...
  8. Avoid certain triggers.
Feb 10, 2023

How do you realistically cut out sugar? ›

4 tips to reduce added sugars in your eating habits
  1. Find smart substitutions. Replace soda and juice with healthier options like low-fat milk, carbonated water, or unsweetened iced tea. ...
  2. Replace food triggers with healthier options. ...
  3. Be the food label expert. ...
  4. Limit sweets and save them for a real treat.
Jun 8, 2023

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