Sugar detox: how and why to avoid sugar

Recently, a lot of sugar opponents have appeared. The whole marathons "21 days without sugar", "sugar detox" and sugarfree take place on Instagram. After this difficult test, people feel much better and more cheerful. We talked to experts about all the intricacies of the sugar detox and its basic rules.

The purpose of sugar detox

There are many disadvantages to eating sugar. For example, the growth of bacteria, overweight and hormonal imbalance. Sugar provokes various metabolic and hormonal disorders that harm the nervous system and brain. Excessive sugar intake harms the gastrointestinal tract, affecting the activity of enzymes. Excess sugar in the diet causes the development of one of the most dangerous diseases – diabetes. An increase in blood sugar leads to a decrease in the level of "good" cholesterol and the development of hypertension. As a result, a person develops coronary heart disease, which can be asymptomatic for a long time and lead to the development of hypertension, unstable angina, strokes, threatening arrhythmias and heart attacks. 

Basic rules of sugar detox

Rule №1: determine if you need a detox

Eat when not hungry? Have you ever felt a food coma when you immediately want to fall asleep after dinner? Without a pack of chips, chocolate or your favourite drink just do not feel good? If you answered "yes" to at least one of these questions, you need a sugar detox!

Rule №2: no exception

To stop eating sweets, you just need to not have them at home. Say a resounding "No!" to flour products, sugar and artificial sweeteners. Why can't you use sugar substitutes? They only cause cravings for sweets, retain fat and slow down metabolism. Even stevia can be harmful.

Rule №3: just add water

Doctors are unanimous: drinks with sugar are several times worse than any chocolate bars. Shop juices and soda, sports cocktails, tea and coffee with sugar – the biggest sources of extra inches at the waist. You won't get anything but diabetes from these drinks. As banal as it may sound, simple still water quenches thirst best.

Rule №4: proteins to help

Carbohydrate-free proteins help control blood sugar and insulin levels and are a source of energy. The perfect breakfast is a couple of not hard-boiled eggs, without the yolk. Seeds, nuts, chicken, meat and fish are the mustard of your diet. Also, feel free to add olive oil to salads.

Rule №5: vegetables, vegetables and greens again

The so-called "good carbohydrates" contain sweet potatoes, beets, peppers, cabbage, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes, artichokes, cauliflower and broccoli. As for the greens, you can eat as much as you want during each "sugar attack".

Rule №6: a girl's best friends are snacks

To make the process easier, always carry a box with healthy snacks in your purse. It is better to eat more proper food than to fail for one candy.

Rule №7: healthy sleep

In America, a study was conducted in which participants were asked to sleep six hours a day. As a result, all participants in the experiment felt cravings for sugar and fast carbohydrates.

The first three days will be the hardest in sugar detox. After them, you will feel much better, and in 10 days no one will be able to control your will with a chocolate cake or ice cream. But this is only subject to all the rules!