30-Day No Sugar Challenge

Skinny Ms. challenges you to eliminate all added sugar from your life. This means no refined sugar, natural sweeteners, or artificial sweeteners. Naturally occurring sugars in fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods are acceptable and recommended.

It’s important to read all the information below in order to make this a successful challenge.

Included below is a link to a shopping list with suggested food items. 

Questions & Answers:

Q: The label on my bread says that it has 6 grams of sugar but the ingredients don’t mention any kind of sugar. Which do I follow?
A: Look at the ingredients for added sugars. Most all foods have naturally occurring sugars, even vegetables and dairy. Naturally occurring sugars are acceptable and they’re healthy.

Q: What if I slip?
A: Don’t look back, the past can’t be undone. Continue on with the challenge.

Q: Will I go through withdrawals?
A: More than likely you will experience some withdrawals. Sugar is very addictive and you will likely experience some side effects. It is possible to experience headaches, weakness, and irritability. It will pass and typically takes 2-4 days to get through this phase.

Q: Can I eat raisins or dates?
A: Again, read the label. If there is no added sugar in the ingredients label, enjoy in moderation. Raisins, along with 8 walnut halves, are a great mid-morning snack.

Q: Does Skinny Ms. offer any dessert recipes without added sugar?
A: Yes. All of our desserts are made without refined sugar but most have some type of unrefined sugar added, such honey or coconut sugar. Here are a few of our most popular desserts that are made without added sugar: Quinoa Protein Bars (be sure to leave off the chocolate), Fudge Brownie Bites, and Peanut Butter-Yogurt Dip. Click here, for these No Sugar Added Dessert Recipes.

GUIDELINES:
Foods that have added sugar of any kind are not allowed. You might be surprised to learn that sugar has many names and is often disguised in the ingredient list. You may have noticed many foods now advertise as having No High Fructose Corn Syrup. What manufactures don’t promote is that in place of the corn syrup is likely another form of sugar. Reading the fine print on ingredient labels is absolutely necessary for this challenge. Here is a list of 50 different names used for sugar.

No added sweeteners of any kind are allowed, to include: honey, molasses, stevia, agave nectar, coconut palm sugar, xylitol, maple syrup, etc.. This is important in order to start to enjoy the real taste of foods.

No added refined sugars (white sugar, corn syrup, brown sugar)

No added artificial sweeteners (Truvia, Splenda, Nutrasweet, etc.)

Basically, if it has added sugar or sweeteners, of any kind, do not eat it.

Note:  Again, when we say no sugar, we mean no added sugar. There will be naturally occurring sugars in milk, plain yogurt, fresh vegetables and fruit, that’s okay. The idea is to give up ADDED sugars that are in most all processed foods. So when you read a nutrition label, look at the actual list of ingredients, NOT the percentage of sugar per serving (unless you must do so for medical reasons).

Make it easier by doing the following:

Drink 6 (12 ounce) glasses of plain water each day, or 2.2 liters.

Consider drinking one nutrient-dense smoothie each day.
Select from fabulous, nutrient-dense smoothie recipes here.

Eat Fruit
Fruit contains plenty of natural sugars and is also an important part of any healthy eating plan. The possibilities are only as limited as your local grocery store. Also, fruit is a great way of naturally getting the sugar you might be craving and will help make this challenge successful.

DURATION
The challenge goes for one entire month. Remember, those who stick with the challenge for an entire month will benefit the most.

For a Shopping list, click here.

AFTER THE CHALLENGE
The goal of this challenge is to your break sugar addiction and lose excess weight and body fat.

We recommend after the challenge is over, switch from refined sugars to unrefined ones that have some nutritional value. For example, raw honey, sucanat, coconut palm sugar, molasses, sorghum and 100% pure maple syrup. All of these natural sweeteners have nutrients that cannot be found in refined sugar and artificial sweeteners.

Remember, even unrefined sweeteners can pack on the pounds if eaten on a regular basis. You’ll find all of our dessert recipes are made without refined sugar, so stop by after the challenge and enjoy one every now and again.

So what do you say? Will you join us? Leave a comment below if you are committed to this challenge.

GET SUPPORT!
You can interact with us on  Facebook, and receive updated recipes to help you stay on track. You can also find recipes without added sugar on many of our Pinterest boards, here.