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?

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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 detox from sugar? ›

Gradually reduce sugar intake to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help curb sugar cravings and support overall detoxification. Healthy Snacking: Opt for nutrient-rich snacks like nuts, seeds, and fruits to satisfy cravings. Mindful Eating: Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues.

How to quit sugar for dummies? ›

Quitting sugar suddenly can lead to intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it difficult to stick to your sugar-free diet. Instead, it's typically best to gradually reduce your sugar intake over time. This can allow your body to adjust and make it easier to stick to your new diet without feeling overwhelmed.

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.

Will cutting out sugar reduce belly fat? ›

Target sugar

One good place to begin improving your food choices is to eliminate sugary drinks — and not just soda, but juices. Sugar increases belly fat and fiber reduces belly fat; thus when you're juicing fruits, you're removing the fiber, leaving pure sugar.

What is the best drink to detox sugar? ›

What are homemade sugar detox drinks? Homemade sugar detox drinks include options like lemon water with mint, cucumber and ginger-infused water, Tulsi Water, Neem water and herbal teas.

How long does it take to fully 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 vitamin deficiency causes sugar cravings? ›

A magnesium deficiency can lead to sugar cravings, especially for chocolate, as chocolate is rich in magnesium. Moreover, magnesium deficiency can impact mood, leading to depression and anxiety, which can cause sugar cravings as a means of managing emotional distress.

How can I satisfy my sweet tooth without sugar? ›

Sometimes you can satisfy your sweet tooth by choosing a food that's naturally sweet, such as bananas, raspberries, grapes or blueberries. To make fruit taste even sweeter, try freezing it, Pope suggests. For an indulgence that feels more like dessert, go for a frozen fruit bar with no added sugar.

What foods are 100% sugar free? ›

Seafood, pork, beef, and chicken are all sugar-free. They're also an important source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. If you don't eat meat, soybeans, lentils, beans, nuts, and seeds are great sugar-free, high-protein foods.

What happens after 21 days of no sugar? ›

It takes 21 days to form a habit. Plus, 21 days is plenty of time to feel the fantastic effects of life with less sugar. By the end of the challenge, you'll feel more ener- gized and less dependant on sugar. You might also notice less bloating and some weight loss.

What is a no sugar diet? ›

A no-sugar diet is a dietary approach that eliminates or significantly reduces the consumption of added sugars and sweeteners. This includes avoiding foods and beverages that contain sugar, such as sucrose, fructose, and high-fructose corn syrup.

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.

How long does quitting sugar take? ›

Sugar withdrawal generally lasts anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Each person will go through the withdrawal process differently, and the intensity of symptoms will depend on whether you fully cut out sugar or slowly wean off it.

How long does it take to break a sugar habit? ›

Though it may seem difficult, or almost impossible, to eliminate sugar from your diet, Dr. Surampudi says there are strategies people can use to adopt a sugar-reduced diet. “Breaking a habit takes about three to four weeks,” Dr. Surampudi said.

What happens after 2 weeks of no sugar? ›

By quitting sugar, participants in the two-week experiment experienced improvements in cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and cardiovascular function. They also noticed a decrease in inflammation, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and promoting overall health.

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