21 No-Added-Sugar Recipes I Used During My 30-Day Detox (2024)

    You don't need to add sugar to make a meal taste good!

    by Arielle CalderonBuzzFeed Staff
    21 No-Added-Sugar Recipes I Used During My 30-Day Detox (2)

    Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

    Hi! I'm Arielle, and over the course of 30 days, I did a sugar detox. That means no added sugar, no fake sugars, no honey, no agave, no stevia, and no artificial sweeteners.

    You can read all about my detox here. You can also read my full food diary here.

    Here are some of my favorite recipes from the experiment.

    I had to make some adjustments, but overall, they only include natural sugar (like, the kind that naturally occurs in fruit and dairy). Enjoy!

    1. 2-Ingredient Pancakes

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    Yes, only two ingredients! All you need is one banana and two eggs, and whichever toppings your heart desires. I went with pomegranate seeds and peanut butter (check the label to make sure it only contains natural sugar!). Recipe here.

    2. Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash

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    This was SO good that I made it several times throughout the detox. I also love spicy food, so the jalapeño was a great touch. Recipe here.

    3. Egg, Spinach, and Mushroom Quesadillas

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    Breakfast quesadillas should always be on your menu. Just make sure to read the ingredient list when shopping for the wrap to make sure there's no added sugar. Recipe here.

    4. Egg-in-the-Hole Reinvented

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    Oh man, the chopped date on this was plenty sweet, and it complemented the egg and squash so well. This is definitely one of my new favorites! Also, the recipe suggests maple syrup if desired, but I obviously avoided that for the purposes of the challenge. Recipe here.

    5. Sweet Potato Toast

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    Seems weird, but it's so good. I used a toaster oven and toasted each side twice. Recipe here.

    6. Healthy Egg White Breakfast Cups

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    So much protein! And you can put any toppings you want. I went with spinach, mushrooms, and cheese. Recipe here.

    7. Acorn Squash Breakfast Bowl

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    This was super easy to make and I was full for nearly five hours. I used plain non-fat Greek yogurt and chose to top with peanut butter, slivered almonds, and blueberries. Recipe here.

    8. Grilled Cheese with Brussels Sprouts, Apple, and Havarti

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    OMG, this grilled cheese was BOMB. I didn't have Havarti cheese, so I used shredded mozzarella instead. It was amazing! And for bread, I used Ezekiel, which has no added sugar. Recipe via the Skinnytaste: Fast and Slow book.

    9. Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

    21 No-Added-Sugar Recipes I Used During My 30-Day Detox (12)

    Arielle Calderon / Via Instagram: @ariellesays

    A low-carb option with a ton of vegetables! I added corn, black beans, red peppers, lime yogurt sauce (plain nonfat Greek yogurt, lime juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper), and avocado to add some fat and protein. Recipe here.

    11. Coconut Lime Cauliflower Rice

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    I paired this with mango salsa (sliced mango, red pepper, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice) and avocado. Recipe here.

    12. Crab, Mango, and Avocado Tacos

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    I didn't have jicama for the shell, so I just used Trader Joe's reduced carb tortillas and baked them in the oven instead. Recipe here.

    13. Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Butternut Squash

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    The dressing wasn't compliant for my experiment, so I used Frank's Buffalo Sauce instead because I put it on everything! Recipe here.

    14. Turkey, Pear, and Mozzarella Open-Faced Sandwich

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    So I actually made this at work, and it's pretty easy. Lightly toast two slices of bread, then top with mozzarella cheese, deli turkey, sliced pears, and more mozzarella, and put back in the toaster oven for a couple minutes.

    15. Baked Salmon with Mustard-Dill Sauce

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    Trying to find a mustard sauce without added sugar was an adventure. I substituted Greek yogurt for sour cream and made sure to use a compliant dijon mustard brand. Recipe here.

    16. Chicken Sausage, Kale, and Spaghetti Squash Boats

    instagram.com / Via Instagram: @ariellesays

    The pine nuts on this was a great addition. Make sure to find a chicken sausage with no added sugar! I used Trader Joe's Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage. Recipe here.

    17. Jalapeño Turkey Burger

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    Honestly, nothing beats the guac and egg combo. Recipe here.

    18. Turkey Quinoa Zoodles

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    Fun fact: Sugar is in every single tomato sauce I looked at while on this journey. Making my own was actually very easy and tasted great, and I used it for several other dishes beyond this one! Recipe here.

    19. Instant Pot Faux Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

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    Cauliflower is the new potato, y'all. I didn't even need the immersion blender for this mash, I just set the Instant Pot to a minute longer to soften it more. Recipe here.

    20. Spanish Cauliflower Rice

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    I was inspired by the cilantro lime cauliflower rice when making this side dish, and it paired well with some chicken fajitas! Recipe here.

    21. Greek Turkey Burger

    21 No-Added-Sugar Recipes I Used During My 30-Day Detox (24)

    Arielle Calderon / Via instagram.com

    This was by far one of my favorite dinners on this detox! I ended up using the combo of ingredients in other dishes like salads and spaghetti squash boats. I didn't even need the egg or breadcrumbs, the patty held itself together without it. Recipe here.

    If you want to continue following my weight-loss journey and healthy recipes, you can follow me on Instagram here.

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    FAQs

    What happens if you go 21 days without sugar? ›

    Plus, 21 days is plenty of time to feel the fantastic effects of life with less sugar. By the end of the challenge, you'll feel more ener- gized and less dependant on sugar. You might also notice less bloating and some weight loss.

    What is the 30 day no sugar added challenge? ›

    The main goal is to cut out all sources of added sugar for 30 days. Instead, you focus on consuming nutrient-dense, whole foods that don't contain added sugars. Natural sugars, which are found in foods like vegetables, fruits, and dairy products, are OK to eat.

    What is the 30 day sugar detox program? ›

    The 30-day no sugar challenge is a dietary plan aimed at eliminating added sugars from your diet for 30 days. The challenge encourages consuming whole foods and natural sugars found in fruits, vegetables, and dairy, while avoiding processed foods with added sugars.

    What to avoid when doing a sugar detox? ›

    Limit or completely avoid consumption of foods such as baked goods, potatoes, white rice, white bread, instant oatmeal, and corn/ corn flakes. These food are considered to be high glycemic carbohydrates, which means that your body rapidly breaks them down and causes a spike in blood glucose levels.

    What happens to your body after a month of no-sugar? ›

    Cutting out or limiting added sugar has several benefits. You might increase your intake of nutrient-rich foods, manage your weight, and reduce your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Still, you might feel an intense and out-of-control craving for sugar if you cut out or limit carbs, your body's primary energy source.

    What should I avoid in no sugar challenge? ›

    Foods to avoid on a no sugar diet

    Added sugars: If you are following a no sugar diet, you should focus on eliminating or cutting out foods and drinks that contain added sugars. This includes sugary beverages like soda, fruit juices, energy drinks, and sweetened coffee or tea.

    What to eat during a no sugar diet? ›

    What To Eat On A No-Sugar Diet? Vegetables, especially green ones, contain very little sugar, making them a great choice when you're hungry. Keto-friendly foods such as meats, fish, eggs, cheeses, avocados, and other foods high in protein and fat, are a great choice as well.

    Can I eat rice on a no sugar diet? ›

    Many no-sugar diets also recommend that people avoid simple carbohydrates. Simple carbs include white flour, white pasta, and white rice. The body quickly breaks down the carbohydrates in these foods into sugar. This process causes a spike in blood sugar levels.

    What is the hardest day of a sugar detox? ›

    You may experience: Fatigue, cold- and flu-like symptoms, low blood sugar, or self doubt. Day 3 is the beginning of some of the hardest days for most folks! Your best bet: Realize that you are likely not experiencing a real cold or flu but the effects of detoxing from sugar.

    What is the best drink to detox sugar? ›

    Homemade sugar detox drinks include options like lemon water with mint, cucumber and ginger-infused water, Tulsi Water, Neem water and herbal teas. These beverages can aid in reducing sugar intake, promoting hydration, and supporting overall health.

    What happens during the 21 day cleanse? ›

    What it is. With this 21-day at-home cleanse, you'll eliminate inflammatory foods such as gluten, dairy, corn, soy, sugar and caffeine; while eating nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory veggies, fruits, whole grains, beans, proteins, and healthy fats.

    Can you eat potatoes on a 21 day sugar detox? ›

    Last, let's look for those nutrient dense starchy vegetables. Roasted sweet or white potatoes, baked potatoes, mashed (for level 1 and 2), and whole grains such as a ½ cup of steamed rice (for level 1). Fried rice is not a good option.

    Can I still eat fruit on a sugar detox? ›

    Eating Fruit on a Sugar Detox

    Aside from packaged and processed foods and alcohol, also avoid eating too much fruit. Jackson says it can have adverse effects on the body and encourage more sugar cravings.

    What should I eat for breakfast during sugar detox? ›

    Meal Alternative: For those mornings of your 7-day sugar detox when you're pressed for time but need a nutritious start, blend together unsweetened almond milk, a handful of spinach, a scoop of unsweetened protein powder, and a tablespoon of chia seeds.

    How long does it take to see results from quitting sugar? ›

    Try giving up sugar for 2 weeks to see just how much better you feel, and how much better you look. When you see positive results from short-term changes, you'll be motivated to make the long-term changes necessary for real transformation.

    How many days does it take to not be addicted to sugar? ›

    Though it may seem difficult, or almost impossible, to eliminate sugar from your diet, Dr. Surampudi says there are strategies people can use to adopt a sugar-reduced diet. “Breaking a habit takes about three to four weeks,” Dr. Surampudi said.

    What happens if there is no sugar in your body? ›

    Low blood sugar levels can also cause a variety of problems within your central nervous system. Early symptoms include weakness, lightheadedness, and dizziness. Headaches can occur from a lack of glucose, especially if you have diabetes. You may also feel signs of stress, such as nervousness, anxiety, and irritability.

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