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

Affiliate Disclosure

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

How can I make it easier to quit sugar? ›

Here are 10 tips on how to stop eating sugar and what you can do to make your commitment stick.
  1. Read the Label Details. ...
  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 flushes out sugar? ›

Experts advise drinking 6-8 glasses of water every day for oxygen to flow freely in your body and help the kidneys and colon eliminate waste. What's best, it helps in flushing out excess sugar from your body.

What happens after 2 weeks without sugar? ›

Giving up sugar can also reduce glucose spikes in the bloodstream, decreasing inflammation — a major driver of aging. After just two weeks, you may see that your skin looks more glowy. If you have acne breakouts, you may even see them go away after quitting sugar.

How to do a true sugar detox? ›

There are no hard or fast rules when it comes to sugar detoxes, but your focus should be on cutting out added sugars from your diet: that means paying attention to nutritional facts and avoiding sugary sodas, most desserts, processed foods, and even some condiments like ketchup, which can include four grams of sugar ...

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.

Does lemon water flush out sugar? ›

Lemon water may not directly impact your blood sugar levels and cause it to come down, but it can surely help prevent untimely spikes.

How long does it take your body to detox from sugar? ›

The Ohio University Medical Center determined that a sugar detox will take between 3-10 days. The more sugar you are normally taking in, the longer the detox will take. The good thing is, unlike other addictions, the intensity of the symptoms will decrease as you go on.

What is the fastest way to detox from 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 does a sugar face look like? ›

Here are the tell-tale signs on your face that sugar is the culprit aging your skin: The surface of your skin looks hard and shiny. Deep, crosshatch lines appear along your upper lip. Discoloration and hyperpigmentation mark your skin.

What is the no sugar challenge day 1? ›

Day 1: No Sugar Breakfast

Fiber-rich, no-added-sugar energy bars are a great place to start. They're naturally sweetened with dates and packed with fiber which helps slow absorption of sugar and keeps you feeling full. They're super easy to make and can be stored in your freezer for a quick grab-n-go option.

How long does it take for inflammation from sugar to go away? ›

These inflammatory responses, which result from short-term damage, typically let up after two or three days. Those with chronic inflammation, on the other hand, consistently have more inflammatory markers in their blood. Researchers have observed higher traces of these markers in those whose diets are rich in sugar.

Does apple cider vinegar help with sugar detox? ›

Participants who took 2 tbsp of ACV with a cheese snack experienced significantly lower blood sugar levels upon waking. Researchers believe that the acetic acid in the ACV slows down the rate at which the body turns carbohydrates into sugar.

What happens to your skin when you stop eating sugar? ›

Cutting out excess added sugar and keeping blood glucose within healthy parameters may slow the rate at which skin ages. A high-sugar diet leads to the production of AGEs (advanced glycation end products), and AGEs are associated with acceleration in the skin's aging process.

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 sugar withdrawal last? ›

Sugar withdrawal symptoms may last a few days to a few weeks. How long your symptoms last depends on the individual and on factors such as how much sugar you were eating before and how quickly you reduced or eliminated it from your diet. Sugar withdrawal symptoms generally go away as the body adapts.

How long does it take to withdraw from sugar? ›

Sugar Withdrawal Timeline

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.

Why is it so hard for me to cut out sugar? ›

Why does giving up sugar feel so bad? Research has found that sugar affects the brain's reward system. This reward system helps humans survive, but it's also involved in addictive behavior. Food is a natural reward, and sweet foods and drinks stimulate your brain's reward system, causing you to eat more food.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Aron Pacocha

Last Updated:

Views: 6106

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Aron Pacocha

Birthday: 1999-08-12

Address: 3808 Moen Corner, Gorczanyport, FL 67364-2074

Phone: +393457723392

Job: Retail Consultant

Hobby: Jewelry making, Cooking, Gaming, Reading, Juggling, Cabaret, Origami

Introduction: My name is Aron Pacocha, I am a happy, tasty, innocent, proud, talented, courageous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.