Cutting back on added sugar is no mean feat, but with the right mindset and an arsenal of tools, it is possible. If you're looking for some tips on how to quit added sugar and improve your health, you've come to the right place. We’ll be sharing 4 tips to get your health journey off to a roaring start.

Start small

Here at I Quit Sugar, we believe in taking things slow. You don’t have to jump headfirst into a sugar-free lifestyle, you can just wade in slowly and test the water. We know how hard withdrawal symptoms can be – from the headaches to the cravings – that’s why going slow can reduce the severity of these symptoms. How can you do this, you ask? Well, it’s quite simple – instead of having two teaspoons of sugar in your coffee, just have one. Instead of eating ice cream after dinner, make a cup of camomile tea with some slices of apple.

Eventually, you can completely eliminate added sugar from your day. Cutting out all added sugar at once can be overwhelming and may promote binging and feelings of guilt and shame – and that’s exactly what we seek to unpack when quitting sugar. It’s important to understand the emotions we attach to food and acknowledge – but not judge – them. We can then understand how these emotions affect our eating behaviours and make a better plan to address not only our mental health, but our physical health too.

Read labels

One of the easiest ways to reduce you’re intake of the sweet stuff when you’re in the early stages of learning how to quit added sugar is by reading the nutrition labels on your food. Many items like cereal and bread are loaded with hidden sugar that go unnoticed – especially if you’re relying on the front of the pack to get an idea of its nutritional profile. Here you’ll find promises of “healthy”, “all-natural” ingredients – the reality? Well, it’s not quite as innocent. When reading the ingredients, beware sugar under its other names, like high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, fructose and maltodextrin – they all mean one thing; spiked blood-sugar levels. Look for products with no added sugar and always check the panel on the back to see just how much sugar’s in there.

Swap flavoured drinks for water

Sugary drinks like lemonade and fruit juice are some of the biggest sources of added sugar in our diets – and since it’s a drink, we tend to consume larger serves than we would of solid food. Swap these drinks for water, which also helps flush out toxins from your body. Tea can also be a good option, but make sure it’s 100% tea with no added sugar. Green tea has been known to boost metabolism and fight sugar cravings, so brew up a batch of these leaves and enjoy a calming cuppa.

Find healthy alternatives to junk food

Instead of reaching for chocolate or ice cream when you feel stressed, find healthy alternatives like fruit, nuts, or dark chocolate – these can satisfy your cravings while providing important nutrients for your body. But if they’re not quite as exciting as your old favourites, why not try out some of our delicious dessert recipes? You won’t believe they’re added-sugar free and loaded with antioxidants. Our Lavender Mousse and Toasted Maca Topper is an I Quit Sugar favourite, and our Chai Golden Milk is a fragrant alternative to those sugary lattes. Keen for more? Try our No Sugar Baking Cookbook for a range of tasty baked goods that taste just like Grandma’s home cooking from your childhood – minus the sugar spike! The best part? They’re 40% off for a limited time –there’s never been a better time to get your health journey off to a good start! 

Need a little extra help fighting your sugar addiction? Join us for the 8-Week Program. We’ll help you change the way you look at food – and that doesn’t mean you have to follow restrictive diets or miss out on your favourite foods; we believe you can still enjoy delicious food without jeopardising your health. With celebrity chef Sarah Glover on our panel of experts, you’ll have an array of fun recipes at your fingertips, along with our own exclusive armoury of simple, tasty and healthy recipes for everything from daily meals to impressive entertaining. We know it can be hard to stick to your health goals – especially when you’re trying to manage it alone. When you sign up with us, you’ll have access to clear-cut meal plans, community support and exclusive access to our sugar-free content. Here’s what’s on offer:

1. 8 weeks of meal plans and shopping lists.
2. 90+ member-only recipes.
3. Community forums to share your journey.
4. Support and guidance from the I Quit Sugar team.
5. Exclusive content from our panel of experts.

So, if you’re ready to ditch sugar and the host of maladies that come with it, it’s not too late to join. We’d love to help you get started on your health journey. Sign up HERE today!