My One Week Sugar Detox

If you’re ready for a sweet-tooth reset, the time is now. I’m breaking down my One Week Sugar Detox so you can cut the sugar and get back to tasting and savoring your treats. I know I need this, so are you with me?

I’ll be the first to say, “detox” is a dirty word to me. Anytime I see promotion of one, I usually just scowl and run the other way. So let me explain myself…

Every so often, I’ve just had enough. I can’t stand the amount of sugar I’m consuming, my skin doesn’t look as vibrant, I feel dependant on finding another piece of chocolate in the house, and I truly can’t think about anything else but sugar. So, I take a step back and reset. I take a week (sometimes two) to myself to cut out the sugar and clear my sweet-ometer back to zero.

I can’t tell you how helpful this is to me. It helps me break quite a few mental barriers. I’m able to function without thinking about Sarbucks, I can go to bed without digging through all of my cabinets for one last sweet bite, and I can truly taste how sweet foods are. That last thing is really important! Because as someone who bakes on the “healthier” side, if I don’t feel like something is sweet anymore, I will end up adding way too much sweetener to everything (including honey, maple, coconut sugar, etc.).

So this is MY one week sugar detox. I’ll break it down for you and we can do it together!

And before we start, this is not supposed to be a torture device or a diet. I’m not in it to lose weight, I don’t tell myself I have to also sweat for an hour a day or give up all dairy and caffeine too, this is just a reset.

Day 0: Prep – Set your guidelines now so you have them to fall back on. Are you eliminating all sweeteners, or just cane sugars? Are you ok with honey but not coconut sugar? This is where you make that decision and stick to it! For me, I cut out any use of cane sugar, coconut sugar, honey or maple syrup. Remember, it’s only one week, so don’t worry about anything “going bad” because it’ll be waiting for you by next weekend.
Go grocery shopping now. Buy things that will keep you satisfied, sweetness-wise, but don’t think you can just substitute your way to success. Stock up on Honeycrisp apples and sweet potatoes, grab some Larabars if you regularly eat granola bars during the day and some extra berries; but DON’T stock up on tons of dried fruits thinking you can just down those all day long. Plus, a lot of those have added sugar anyways.
I always make sure to grab a jug of unsweetened cold coffee (or make a batch of cold brew) and an extra unsweetened almond milk too because my Starbucks habit is a doozey. If I promise myself a Starbucks at the end of the week and am plenty prepared to make my afternoon coffee drink at home, I know this week is an easier one. Starbucks soy milk (and all of their alternative milks) are loaded with sugar, so this week, I’m off the sauce.

Day 1: Common Sense Eliminations – Day 1 is where you draw the line. You don’t reach for chocolate after you finish your meal, you reach for some strawberries and hot tea. You tell yourself that you are strong and it’s only a week and you NEED this reset. Don’t beat yourself up for “slipping” today, you’re just trying your hardest. Don’t reach for that wine either. Sorry.

Day 2: Hidden Sugars Eliminations – now things get more serious. Did you use salad dressing yesterday? Today you use olive oil and vinegar. Did you use coffee creamer? Today you use just unsweetened almond milk or go black. If you’re ok with Stevia, use a tiny bit (don’t think you can just switch everything to Stevia and feel good at the end of the week). Did the snack bar you ate yesterday have chocolate chips in it? Read labels carefully today: sauces, bread, crackers, dips, prepared drinks, protein bars…really see what has hidden sugar in the ingredients list and make those a giant NO for the rest of the week.

Days 3-7: Head down, power through. Really, it’s that “simple.” Tell yourself you can sip on tea for the week instead of reaching for dessert. You can make a clean protein shake with your snack for a little something sweet and satisfying too. This is your week to clear up your headspace and start over.

A few breakfast recipes you can easily eliminate any sweeteners from include this one…and this one…and this one! Here are a couple coffee suggestions too…this one and this one. As for salads, I love this…and this…and this one. 

And honestly, that’s it. You can power through two weeks, but it’s not a lifestyle change. By that I mean, it isn’t realistic to give up sugar forever. And hey, that’s really no fun.

I love a bowl of ice cream in the evening, a glass of wine with dinner or a latte as an excuse to get out of the house in the morning; I just want to get back to choosing one of those, and not all of them. I want to savor the treats I choose, especially the ones I make to share with all of you!

 

Who needs this sugar detox too? If you’re all in, comment below or shoot me a private message over email or social media! I’ll be your biggest cheerleader! Xoxo