Spoonful of Sugar Free

Registered Dietitian

10 Ways to Kick Sugar’s Butt

By

Amanda over at Run to the Finish requested I write a post on ways to prepare to be Sugar-Free. It was such a great idea that I had to oblige. Also, I am going to be starting a sugar-free challenge on my blog. Click HERE to do the challenge!

Kick Sugar’s Butt!

  1. Clear your mind. De-stress yourself. Think of all the great things you can do for your body when you eliminate sugar. You will feel refreshed and alive. Put your whole mind and body into being sugar-free, and do it because you love yourself! 
  2. Get rid of the sugar in your house. Throw away (or donate?) your cane sugar, honey, artificial sweeteners, candy, cake, soda, and any other sugar that might be hiding in your pantry. You don’t need them anymore. Also, check your breads, condiments, cereals, protein/breakfast bars, flavored yogurts, salad dressings, and pasta sauces to see if sugar is lurking in there. 
  3. Stock your kitchen with good food. Buy lots of fresh produce: fruits and veggies. If you can eat nuts, stock up on nuts (best bought in bulk because they are less expensive) and nut butters. When buying nut butters, make sure the only ingredients are nuts and salt (or no salt). Most peanut butter add extra sugar and hydrogenated oils. Buy whole grains like oats, brown rice, and quinoa. Buy protein like meat, fish, eggs, or beans (if buying canned, check to make sure there is no added sugar). Buy healthy fats like extra virgin coconut oil and olive oil.

    Lots of hydrogenated oils and sugar.
  4. Check the ingredients. I’ve mentioned some places where sugar hides above. Sugar hides in the most unexpected places, so check the ingredients before you buy (or place it in your mouth!).

  • Encourage others to join you! See the challenge below. If you live with anyone, encourage him/her to support you and join in on the sugar-free fun! It is much easier to be sugar-free when the person you live with support you.
    Pesto Socca Pizza with Grilled Veggies and Chicken Sausages
  • Eat Savory. When you eat savory foods, you crave less sugar.

    Healthy 7-Layer Bars
  • Eat Sugar-Free Desserts. When those dessert cravings do hit, make a sugar-free, healthy dessert! Check out my Dessert Recipes and Snack Recipes for ideas. 
  • Get Plenty of Sleep. You crave more sugar when you are tired because your body wants that quick energy from sweets. Don’t let yourself get tired by getting a good night sleep. If you do need carbs to wake you up, though, go for fresh fruit. 
  • Stay Hydrated. Same concept as Number 8 above. You crave less sugar when you keep your body hydrated. 
  • Just do it. It really isn’t that hard. Don’t think about what you are missing, but think about what you are gaining!

    • Click here to read about the Sugar-Free Challenge. I hope you join! 

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    4. I have been eating sugar free this month and STAYING HYDRATED and EATING SAVORY FOODS are key for me! When I eat sweet things, I just want more more more! And drinking a lot of water keeps my mouth busy and makes me feel satisfied so I’m not tempted to eat more, or crave anything sweet!

    5. Great tips! I agree with all of them especially having ‘good’ food stocked up in the house and learn to love savory meals. That has been key for me… to look at savory foods as heaven 😉 and having others do it with you is fun too!

    6. I sooo agree with being tired and craving more sugar!! no wonder I’ve been wanting more sweet food than usual lately, b/c I’m kind of sleepy throughout the day haha. great reminders Alex!

    7. I’m with you at the challenge 🙂 – I just posted about it on FB and already someone likes it! Hope many many join

    9. I can minimize the “bad sugar” foods to less frequent.
      However, I flock daily to fruits, dark chocolate, stevia, lara bars, dates, and some other things. So I guess I fail at this a bit.
      I also like ice cream (I try to get coconut or goat milk for a change when affordable).

        • What about baker’s unsweetened dark chocolate? stevia? I also like some cookies that are made with agave nectar and some other things. Fruits are okay?

          By the way, do you eat grains?

          • Yes! Baker’s unsweetened chocolate is delicious! And stevia is fine, too, but I was going for a “all sugar and sugar substitute free” post. I don’t like agave nectar, and I really don’t think it is good for the body because it is a highly processed syrup. I can send you a couple links to studies done about agave nectar if you want. And fruits are great! I just wouldn’t eat a whole bunch of them A couple a day are fine, though.

            And yes, I do eat some grains. I try to limit them, though, and I only have it a few times a week. The occasional bowl of oatmeal or brown rice.

    10. ok you got on this way faster than i planned. I have created a badge and will send it to you, so hopefully we can get people to put that up and get even more excited. I will get a post up about this soon too

      • You created a badge?! Ohmygosh that’s awesome!!! I can’t wait to see it 🙂

        And I figured I should get something goin so people can plan for it. I know I like to plan waaay ahead of time!

    12. When I first gave up white sugar, I craved it a lot. Hello dark chocolate dreams peanut butter? But white sugar has been known to give me severe migraines to the point where I pretty much think I am allergic to it..
      I eat maple syrup and agave in moderation but I no longer crave the white stuff. Why would I when there are so many delicious fruits that can satisfy the sweet tooth?!

      Great tips girly, I love all your sugar free desserts.

    14. I love your tips! Is there any way you could share some brands you use that don’t have sugar? Like sauces and dressings, etc.

    17. mhmm that pesto socca pizza looks so great! and so do your healthy 7layer bars! gahh i want to make those NOW! couldnt agree more though on the need for sleep-I got wayy too little last night and I’m definitely feeelin’ it in terms of MEGA sugar cravings! happy mothers day!

    18. I do need to cut back on sugar because I have been noticing the effects of it more and more on my body. However, I can’t give it up completely. I need my cupcakes and chocolate.

      I gave up sugar for a week once, and it was so hard! EVERYTHING has sugar in it! I’m in awe of you for being able to do it!

      <3 Milieu

    21. I found out I have Candida, which feeds off of sugar, dairy, gluten, etc. I have gone sugar free and it’s not at all that hard. I do think the idea of it is frightening at first (even to me), but there are ways to get around it. Once you do, you don’t actually crave the sugar.

      I do agree that sugar is lurking in products that you least expect. Check your labels for sure!

      • Hi Nicole,

        Definitely check your labels! Best of luck to you on your new diet, it sounds like you are doing great!

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