7 Day Sugar Detox Tips: A New Tip Each Day To Get You Through

Oh sugar, you are a hard thing to stay away from sometimes.

Have you tried a sugar detox before?

I know many of you have signed up for sugar free challenges in the past and some of you managed to stick with it forever more! That is truly an amazing accomplishment.

Personally, I have signed up…slid off a bit, committed again, slid off a bit…but each time I find my overall sugar cravings or eating decrease. So, I know I’m doing something right each time I try! And in fact this time around, I did something CRAZY…instead of going no sugar I started tracking my added sugars and limiting them to 25 grams per day.

There are many, many reasons to kick processed sugars to the curb:

weight gain
diabetes
heart disease
wrinkles
mood swings
all of course related to inflammation

Marathon training requires a lot from the body and I want mine to be getting great nutrition and not undoing all my hard work with crappy foods I end up reaching for. In order to feel my best at all times – marathon training or not – I need to stick to a clean eating plan.

Do you ever feel the same way? Like your body just feels blah and you know you’re maybe not always eating the best foods for you? My Clean and Lean Blueprint Program is a great way to reset! You focus on simple daily tricks and tips that will change your opinion and relationship with food. You’ll feel lighter, better, more energetic, and overall just healthier.

And if you feel like you want to jump start that with a 7 day sugar detox, I’ve got some tips on how you can succeed just by changing a few simple daily habits.

Remember – nothing changes, unless you take action. So let’s make the change now!

How to Successfully Detox?

Detox is “treatment designed to rid the body of poisonous substances.” For a detox to be successful, you really have to clean your system from it. That rule applies for sugar too! While there are foods that have good natural sugars you can continue to eat, you want to avoid anything with added sugar that could make you crash easily.

What’s the difference between those who are now free of it and those like me who find ourselves sliding back occasionally? Talking with Life Coach Vanessa Scotto reminded me that to make any change you need a WHY that is substantial. Some motivating reason that will encourage you to keep going.

“I want to lose weight” is too general and doesn’t tap in to your emotions! I want to feel sexy wearing a bikini on the beach with my husband for our anniversary taps in to something deeper. I want to wake up every day feeling alive and excited and not tied to any substance…yup even deeper.

So What is your why? What motivates you this time around that maybe hasn’t in the past? If you are willing to take the time to think it through and create an emotional connection to the why, suddenly the how starts to take care of itself.

Sugar Detox Tips

While completely cutting out sugar is the main goal, there are a few simple steps you can take each day that will help you reach that goal easier (and without going crazy!).

Drink Water, water, water!
Water is so important to help curb any cravings. Keep a glass of water by your bed so it’s the first thing you reach for in the morning. And carry a water bottle around with you at all times – the more water you intake each day, the fuller you’ll feel, the better your skin will look, etc. Next time you get any sugar or crappy hunger cravings, drink a big glass of water before you reach for that snack, then wait a few minutes and see if that is REALLY what your body wants.

Eat protein at the right time
Eating (or drinking) some type of protein within 30 minutes of walking will kick start your metabolism and head off any hunger confusion.

Electrolytes are always a good idea
Especially if you’re marathon training or just working out, your body needs those to stay hydrated and balanced.

Eat the food that is GOOD for you
We’re talking whole food carbohydrates and plenty of healthy fats. Enjoying things like sweet potatoes, squash, quinoa, fruit, avocado, nuts, etc. Food that your body can break down easily and are full of nutrients that are good for you – including natural sugars like those found in fruit. And if you have the time, try to plan and prep your meals ahead. The more prepared you are going into a sugar detox week with healthy foods and snacks, the more likely you’ll be able to stay on track.

Drink a cup of green tea a day
Maybe you’re feeling that midday slump and need a pick me up, or you just want a little something at night before bed – green tea is a great thing to reach for. Green tea can help kick the sugar craving, and it also helps you slow down and creates a sensation of comfort.

Stay busy
The first few days of any sugar detox are normally the toughest. So try to stay as busy as possible! Arrange a run with a friend after work, take a walk on your lunch break, grab a great book and find a seat outside somewhere. Keeping yourself distracted with fun activities will help cut the cravings and get you focused on something else.

Sleep, and get plenty of it
And plenty of it. Getting a good night’s sleep is just as important for your body as it is for your mind. If you aren’t already, try to get into the habit of setting a routine where you go to bed and wake up at the same time every morning.

Stay motivated
Consistently remembering WHY this sugar detox is important will help you power through. Create that emotional connection to why you are saying no to sugar and go back to each time you struggle.

Whether you go cold turkey and cut out all added sugars, or ease your way into it by slowly omitting sweeteners, etc – remember it will get easier! Every day you succeed is one step closer to it feeling less like a detox and more like a way of living. And most importantly, slip ups can happen and that’s okay! Just start again tomorrow.