Yeah, yeah, we hear about all these tremendous health benefits of ditching the sweet stuff. But let’s be real, the thought of actually doing it? For 60 whole days?! It sounds less like a health kick and more like a hostage situation with carrot sticks. So, how do we make this “no sugar challenge” not end in tears and a midnight donut raid? Let’s dive into making this thing actually work, shall we?

This plan is designed to help you eliminate processed sugar from your diet and adjust to a healthier way of eating.

Rules of the Road:

  • No Processed Sugar: Absolutely no processed sugar in any form. This includes white sugar, brown sugar, jaggery, coconut sugar, syrups, caramel, sugar substitutes (artificial sweeteners), and anything labeled as “added sugar”.
  • Read Food Labels: Meticulously check food labels to identify and eliminate products with added sugar. Be aware that sugar can be listed under many different names (e.g., sucrose, fructose, glucose, corn syrup).

Photo Credit: https://www.ithrivein.com/blog/how-to-read-food-labels

  • Allowed Sweetness: The only sources of sweetness allowed in your diet are:
    • Raisins
    • Dates
    • Fruits (in moderation)
  • Duration: 60 days

Expectations:

  • Initial Cravings: Be prepared for strong sugar cravings, especially in the first week or two. This is normal as your body adjusts. You might feel sad or depressed, these are symptoms of withdrawal.

Photo by Andre Hunter on Unsplash

  • Taste Bud Adjustment: Your taste buds will change. Over time, you’ll become more comfortable to the natural sweetness of foods and enjoy sweetless flavors.

Tips and Hacks for Success

  • Sugar-Free Environment:
    • Remove all sugary items from your kitchen and any easy-to-access locations.
    • Create a designated “sugar box” in a less accessible place to store these items (for others in the household, if applicable).
  • Protein and Healthy Fats: Eat a lot of protein and healthy fats in each meal to help curb cravings.

  • Anytime your Sugar Craving kicks in: Tell yourself, my body doesn’t need it, its just my addiction calling. I have given enough nutrition to my body to survive and thrive. If my body needs fuel it will tell me via hunger pangs, headaches, fatigue and low energy sensations and I will give it what it needs. I won’t give up to my mind.

  • Build a support group: Include your friends of family members to take part in this challenge. It creates a huge difference to do it together and keeps you motivated and on track.

  • Additional Tips:
    • Dry coconut helps with sugar cravings.
    • Hibiscus tea can be a helpful beverage.
    • Cinnamon tea comes handy in fighting the sweet urges.

Google Calendar for Daily Motivation:

Add this calendar to your Google Calendar for daily motivation and reminders:

Lets journey together! We’re talking better energy, clearer skin, stronger heart health, smaller waist and the power to say “no” to that 3pm cookie like a boss.

So grab some willpower (and maybe a friend to suffer with), and let’s crush this challenge!!!!