If you want to commit to a longer period, that’s great! Just decide how long you want to do it.
It’s up to you how far you want to go. If you really want to cut sugar cravings, you can try taking a more severe approach, at least for the initial 10 days. On the other hand, fruit has important nutrients and fiber so you may want to include it while detoxing from sugar. Talk to your doctor about what’s best for you and your health. [4] X Research source
If you’re living in a household where other people aren’t going to detox, try having a separate cabinet for your food so you don’t have to be as tempted by sugary choices.
Try relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation. Cut out stress when you can. For instance, if you find that you get stressed out watching the morning news, skip it. When you’re feeling stressed, try deep breathing. Close your eyes and inhale through your nose while counting to 4 in your head. Hold the breath for 4 counts, then breathe out through your mouth for 4 counts. Repeat the process several times until you feel yourself calming down.
If you have trouble getting to bed, set an alarm an hour before you need to go to sleep. Turn off the electronics and start your wind-down then. If you have trouble staying asleep, cut out disturbances like light, noises, and pets. For instance, put up light-blocking curtains if you get too much light from outside, and try a white-noise machine if you get city noise. Lock your pets out of the bedroom if they tend to disturb your sleep.
Other names for sugar include molasses, raw sugar, brown rice syrup, honey, juice, cane syrup, and corn syrup.
Watch for sweeteners like aspartame, stevia, sucralose, saccharin, neotame, and acesulfame potassium. Some sweeteners contain sugar alcohols, such as xylitol and sorbitol.
Try unsweetened tea or coffee, unsweetened flavored sparkling water, or just plain water. Avoid alcoholic beverages, too, as they contain extra calories and are often mixed with sugary drinks.
Work on making things from scratch, even sauces and condiments. That way, you know they don’t contain sugar.
Work on making things from scratch, even sauces and condiments. That way, you know they don’t contain sugar.
Grass-fed meats tend to be higher in healthy fats. You can also eat nuts and seeds for protein.
For non-starchy options, try leafy greens, broccoli, eggplant, asparagus, carrots, onions, tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, mushrooms, cauliflower, beets, green beans, okra, and cabbage. When you’re at a party, it can be difficult to skip the food altogether. Instead, try your best to pick options that have little to no sugar, such as raw veggies or roasted nuts. For dips, hummus is likely a safe option, though ask to check the container if you know the host well. [14] X Research source
For instance, try scrambling eggs with mushrooms and spinach for a hearty breakfast or eat a large helping of cottage cheese with sliced veggies or fruit on top (if you’re eating fruit). [16] X Research source
Try a salad of mixed veggies (as many as you want), a serving of chicken (the size of your palm), and 1 cup of chickpeas (164 g). For instance, make a Greek salad with olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, feta cheese, olive oil, and lemon juice, along with some fresh parsley or dill. Alternatively, have a serving of fish (the size of your palm) with your favorite veggies, such as asparagus and carrots.
For example, try a serving of chicken that’s the size of your palm, as much broccoli as you want, and 1 cup (200 g) of cooked brown rice. Alternatively, eat a serving of chicken, 1 cup (172 g) of black beans, half an avocado, and lettuce mixed with lemon juice and olive oil. Add a piece of fruit if you’re eating fruit.
For instance, try 2 pieces of string cheese, half an avocado, 12 to 14 walnut halves, or plain yogurt. Make sure to have healthy snacks on hand all the time so you’re not tempted to eat sugary foods!
