Summer is almost upon us, bringing with it the promise of warm weather, outdoor adventures and, well, mosquitos. But it also happens to offer the perfect opportunity to embark on a journey towards a sugar-free lifestyle – we’ll be unpacking why the festive season is actually the easiest time to make those transformative decisions.

You’re probably thinking summer is the worst time to quit sugar – after all, you’ve got sugary cocktails, your aunt’s pav and a host of desserts to wade through, but it’s actually a surprisingly easy time to make a change. From the delightful festive recipes to making it a family challenge and setting the stage for a healthy new year, there are a number of elements that come together to make the sunny season your best.

Why It’s Time to Quit Sugar

Do you wake up at midnight craving something sweet? Or perhaps you need a chocolate fix to get you through stressful times… every day. Maybe your vice is ice cream after a long day – whatever it is, if you’re starting to notice yourself unable to curb those cravings and finding your waistline expanding and energy levels shrinking, it could be a sign that’s it’s time to recalibrate your taste buds and free your mind from the restraints of added sugar. Sugar addiction is a term used to describe a pattern of compulsive, excessive, and sometimes uncontrollable consumption of sugary foods or beverages, and while it’s not officially recognised as a clinical diagnosis, research shows our behaviours around the sweet stuff is near identical to other addictive conditions, with similar effects elicited from cocaine use. Here are the signs you’ve tipped the scale from occasional snacker to full-blown addiction: 

• Intense Cravings: Persistent and strong urges to consume sugary foods, especially between meals or during times of stress.
• Loss of Control: Difficulty limiting the amount of sugar consumed, leading to overeating or bingeing on sugary treats.
• Increased Tolerance: Needing larger amounts of sugar over time to experience the same level of satisfaction or pleasure.
• Withdrawal Symptoms: Experiencing irritability, mood swings, fatigue, or headaches when attempting to cut back on sugar intake.
• Continued Use Despite Negative Consequences: Consuming sugar even when aware of its negative impact on health, such as weight gain, dental issues, or metabolic imbalances.
• Craving Processed Sugary Foods: A preference for highly processed sugary foods, such as candies, sodas, and desserts, over naturally sweet whole foods.

• Loss of Interest in Healthier Foods: A reduced interest in or avoidance of nutrient-dense foods in favor of those high in added sugars.
• Use as a Coping Mechanism: Turning to sugary foods as a way to cope with stress, boredom, or emotional challenges.
• Failed Attempts to Cut Back: Repeatedly attempting to cut back on sugar consumption without sustained success.
• Neglecting Responsibilities: Spending excessive time thinking about, obtaining, and consuming sugary foods, sometimes at the expense of other responsibilities or activities.
• Inability to Stop Despite Health Issues: Continued consumption of sugar even in the presence of health issues such as diabetes, insulin resistance, or obesity.
• Social Isolation: Avoiding social situations or gatherings where sugary foods are not available, reflecting a significant impact on daily life.
• Preoccupation with Food: Constantly thinking about the next opportunity to consume sugary foods or planning meals around them.
• Lack of Satiety: Feeling unsatisfied or not satiated after consuming sugary foods, leading to a cycle of craving and consumption.
• Dysregulated Appetite: Experiencing irregular hunger patterns, such as frequent snacking or eating large amounts in a short period. Oftentimes this is linked to an imbalance of ghrelin, the hunger hormone – the culprit? Excess sugar consumption.

Hitting a little too close to home? Here's why summer is the time to make a change rather than putting your health off. Again. (Don't worry, you're not alone on that front!)

Delicious Festive Recipes

Summer offers an abundance of fresh, vibrant produce, paving the way for delicious and healthy recipes that can easily replace sugar-laden treats. From succulent fruit salads to chilled berry-infused beverages and inventive vegetable-based snacks, the possibilities are endless. Embrace the season's bounty to create refreshing, satisfying, and fun recipes that make quitting sugar an enticing culinary adventure. 

Need a little inspiration? Try some of our favourite summer recipes: 

• Cardamom Sea Salt Ganache Tart
• Mango + Passionfruit Cheesecake – this classic recipe makes use of our favourite summer fruits!
• Double Choc Raspberry Brownies

Quit Sugar with Family or Friends

The joy of summer lies not only in the warmth of the weather but in the company of loved ones. Transform your sugar-free journey into a family or friends challenge. Explore new recipes together, share your experiences, and encourage one another to make healthier choices. Turning it into a group effort adds a supportive dynamic and turns the challenge into a memorable and enjoyable holiday activity.

Get the New Year Off to a Good Start: Pre-New Year Resolutions

Why wait until the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve to kickstart your resolutions? Use the summer months to gradually ease into a sugar-free lifestyle, making the transition smoother and less abrupt. By adopting healthier habits before the new year begins, you'll enter January with a sense of accomplishment and a foundation for sustained wellbeing, rather than ending another year trying to remember what your drunken resolution was!

Summer beckons us to savour the sweetness of life without the need for added sugars. By embracing delicious festive recipes, turning sugar-quitting into a shared holiday challenge, and starting the new year on a healthy note, you're not just letting go of sugar – you're creating a lifestyle that resonates with the season's vitality. So, as you bask in the sun and relish the flavors of summer, remember that this season offers the perfect backdrop for your journey toward a healthier, sugar-free you. Cheers to a sweet farewell to sugar and a vibrant, sun-kissed summer!

Need a little help quitting sugar? Join us for the 8-Week Program and 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!