When it comes to sugar, it truly is a blessing and a curse. Sugar is simultaneously the best and the worst thing for you depending on your mood. But after you’ve had one too many sweets it can ruin your diet and sometimes your wellbeing. A sugar detox may be the answer to all your problems! It’s even been stated before by nutrition experts that sugar is the single most addictive ingredient in the average modern diet really causing havoc on one’s diet. This detox can span a week or if you feel like being (hardcore) dedicated it could last up to a month or be a permanent change you make. Here is a list of tips and food plan to start a sugar detox:
Tips:
- Start out slow if cold turkey isn’t working for you!
- Do it with a friend to motivate each other to stick with it.
- Meal prep every week to ensure you won’t cut corners and so that you know there is no sugar hiding in meals/snacks.
- Learn how to tough through cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- It starts with mind over matter!
- Exercise as well as include more healthy behaviors to reinforce positive results!
The Plan:
There are foods you should limit, eliminate, and focus on to make sure you’re keeping to your sugar detox for the long haul!
Focus on: vegetables, berries, lean proteins (eggs, tofu, salmon, etc.), healthy fats (avocado, nuts, olive oil), water, and leafy greens
Limit: alcohol, legumes (lentils, chickpeas, etc.), sugary fruits, dark chocolate, starchy veggies (potatoes, carrots), whole grains (buckwheat, quinoa)
Eliminate: artificial sweeteners, cocktails, beer, refined grains (white bread, white rice, pasta), pre-packaged foods, foods with added sugars, pre-packaged sauces, condiments, soda, syrups, white and brown sugars
There is a lot to this list and it is meant to be hard because the results are mind-blowing. Whether you do this detox for a week, a month, a year, or a day, it will improve your diet and overall physical health so why not try it!