Should You Quit Sugar All at Once?

Or should you lower it gradually?

Sure, you could go from a standard American diet of around 250-300 carbohydrates per day and quit cold turkey, don’t look back, and white knuckle it through 30-40 days to get over sugar addiction.

That works for some people. It’s worked for me in the past, until it didn’t.

Over the last couple years, I’ve noticed a trend in my clients, and have seen with many of the doctors I follow, a slower steady pace of cutting back over 4-6 weeks may work better for some.

Many of my clients who try to cut out sugars overnight end up frustrated, discouraged, and binging before the end of week 2.

Listen, if this is you, don’t give up.

It took years to get to where you are today, reversing it won’t happen overnight.

But I want to encourage you to begin a journey, not a diet.

One day at a time, start lowering your carbohydrate intake.

Here are the most common places you are getting carbohydrates:

• Sugary drinks (juices, coffees, soda)

• Bread

• Fast food

• Granola and energy bars

• “Healthy snacks” (read labels, you might be shocked)

• Fruit yogurt

• Desserts/baked goods

• “Healthy smoothies” if there is blended fruit, you are most likely drinking a sugar bomb

• Most gluten free options have higher sugar content

• Anything labeled “keto” at the store- please read labels.

Chose 1 or 2 of these per week.

Get gritty! Awaken your moxie mindset and feel accomplished at the end of each week by taking it one step at a time.

Benefits to taking it slower:

• Your body and brain can adjust to the changes: remember, insulin is a hormone, when you start lowering your carbs, your body’s hormone system might need some time to bring you to homeostasis (balance) again.

• Fewer side effects: cravings, fatigue, jitteriness, crankiness. These are all a response to quickly cutting carbs.

Of course. lowering carbohydrates is just ONE PIECE of a healthy lifestyle, but I do believe it’s an important start.

However you choose to do it, just do it. You won’t regret it!

I have some free resources (food lists, meal plans, etc.) for you on my website HERE.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

He’s where the peace is,

Sue