Struggling with a clingy sugar addiction? If you’ve read about the dangers of sugar, including higher risks for obesity, diabetes and even mental health disorders, but have been struggling to make your favourite foods taste good without all the extra sweetness, you’re in the right place.

We’ve collated a list of some of the classic sweet treats – but with a savoury twist. It’s the same nostalgic dish, minus the swathes of sugar and additives that wreak havoc on our hormones. In their place are flavoursome, wholesome ingredients. Take a look at our spin on some of the classics:

Muffins.

Breakfast muffins are a great way to grab a bite on the way to work – especially when you’re running late. While we respect the convenience and, of course, the taste, we think it could do with a bit of reworking. The reason? Muffins, whether store bought or homemade, tend to be packed with sugar, setting us up for an afternoon slump. For a more blood sugar-stable brekkie, we’ve come up with a few ideas for you. Ditch the sugar, and try this instead:

Grated veggies and cheese muffins: Grate up some carrot and zucchini, along with a strong-flavoured cheese like cheddar, and simply drop it into your usual muffin batter – minus the sugar of course!

Feta and spinach muffins: This spin on the famous Spanakopita for which the Greek are known, uses the classic flavour pairing of feta and spinach to help you start your morning satisfied. It also doesn’t hurt that spinach is brimming with iron and vitamin C, it even provides 20% of your vitamin A needs in a serve.

Pancakes.

We know this one will be hard to wrap your head around – when we think of pancakes, we usually think of maple syrup, berries and ricotta, maybe even some ice cream on the side. But we’ve got a few flavour combos we think will change your mind on the matter. The fluffy texture of pancakes can bring out the best in any dish.

Tomato-ricotta pancake: Don’t ditch the ricotta yet! This versatile cheese works well in savoury dishes too, especially those of the Italian persuasion. Top your pancakes with a tomato-ricotta sauce, and if you’re looking for an extra nutritional boost, add in some spinach and mushrooms.

Pancake sandwich: It’s close enough to bread anyway, why not make the leap and make pancakes the bread of your sandwiches – the kids will love it too. Add in tomato, lettuce, cheese and, well, pretty much anything you’d put on a sandwich. This humble breakfast favourite can even be used to make wraps.

Porridge.

This classic breakfast dish is more commonly adorned with honey, fruit and yoghurt – but have you ever considered using oatmeal as a creamy base for savoury ingredients like rosemary and thyme, or even curried vegetables? It sounds crazy, we know, but when you think about it, oats are not all that sweet themselves. They are versatile enough to go either way, and when you this winter favourite a savoury transformation,it makes for a simple, one pot meal. The slow-releasing carbohydrates also help you when quitting sugar, this is because they curb cravings and keep you fuller for longer.

Try these combos:

Cashew curry oatmeal: Simply cook your oats as usual, and add in cashew butter, garlic, onions and curry powder. Veggies like cauliflower, potato and carrot will make a nice addition.

Black bean and tomato oatmeal: Give your morning porridge a twist with the rich flavour of tomatoes and the protein of black beans. If you feel like making a deconstructed taco, why not slice up some avocado and add some sour cream.

Ginger and soy oatmeal: This porridge highlights classic Asian ingredients like soy sauce, ginger and chilli oil. Fry up some shallots and cook the oats in veggie stock. Add in any ingredients you like – we recommend bok choy and mushrooms – but don’t forget to drop a fried egg on top.

If you like what you’ve seen and are keen to finally kick your sugar habit, we challenge you to join us for our 8-Week Program here at I Quit Sugar. With heaps of simple, tasty recipes and meal plans, along with expert guidance throughout your journey, there’s never been a better time to take your health back into your own hands. Sound good? Sign up HERE.