Do you feel like you're constantly craving sugary snacks? You're not alone. Many of us struggle with an unhealthy relationship with food, and it can be hard to break the cycle. The good news is that you can detox your gut from sugar and reduce your cravings with a few simple steps. Here’s how.

Cut back on sugary foods and drinks

The first step in detoxing your gut from a sugar addiction is to cut back on, well, sugar! This means avoiding sugary snacks, desserts, meals and drinks. Instead of juice, eat whole fruit, and instead of ice cream, try eating Greek yoghurt with cinnamon. Opt for whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins over ultra-processed foods. Not only will this help reduce your sugar intake, but it will also provide your body with the nutrients it needs to function at its best, thereby reducing inflammation and digestive issues.

Increase fibre intake

Fibre is essential for gut health, and it can also help regulate blood-sugar levels and reduce sugar cravings. Aim to get at least 25-30 grams of fibre every day from whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes – ultra-processed junk food and fast food tend to be stripped of fibre, making them a nightmare for your toilet. Just think of the plumbing!

Add fermented foods to your diet

Probiotics are found readily in fermented foods, and they are beneficial bacteria that can help promote gut health and reduce inflammation. They can also help reduce sugar cravings by improving the balance of bacteria in your gut and helping your body to function properly. Go for yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and natto – this is a Japanese fermented soy dish with impressively high counts of probiotics and vitamins.

Drink plenty of water

Staying hydrated is important for gut health and digestion, not to mention it plays a role in stabilising blood-sugar levels. Don’t forget to sip throughout the day to stay hydrated and flush toxins out of your system.

Don’t sleep on your sleep hygiene

Getting enough sleep is important for overall health, and it can also help reduce sugar cravings as the sleep, wake and eating cycles are all so closely linked. A lack of sleep can disrupt hormones that regulate appetite and increase cravings for sugary foods, resulting in cravings, gut issues and stress. Aim to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night in a cool, dark room – and try to eliminate any distractions. We know it can be hard to get a good sleep with a noisy family, roommates or neighbours, so you may want to invest in a quality pair of ear plugs.

Manage stress

Stress can also be a major contributor to sugar cravings as it increases the production of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Finding ways to manage stress, such as through meditation, exercise or avoiding inflammatory foods, can help reduce sugar cravings and improve gut health.

Detoxing your gut from sugar can take time, so be gentle with yourself! Need a little extra help? That’s what we’re here for. 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!