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 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 happens if you go 21 days without 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 21-Day Sugar Detox challenge? ›

    The 21-Day Sugar Detox is a real food reset, to help you drop processed foods, reset your taste buds, enjoy the food you eat, and improve your health. It helps you break the chains of processed foods and added sugars so that you can get off the blood sugar roller coaster and say good-bye to that afternoon slump.

    Can you eat potatoes on 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.

    How much weight can you lose without sugar for 30 days? ›

    Detoxing from sugar can help you lose weight quickly. “We had over 80 testers from all over the country, and they lost anywhere between 5 to 20 pounds during the 31 days, depending on their weight or sugar addiction,” Alpert said. “Many also noticed that a lot of the weight was lost from their midsection.

    What foods are not allowed on the 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 not to eat on 21 day sugar detox? ›

    White The 21-Day Sugar Detox may eliminate added sweeteners, gluten, and soy and all processed foods, Levels 1 and 2 of the program include whole gluten-free grains and full-fat dairy and are not considered Paleo. Level 3 of the program, however, does align with Paleo eating.

    Can I eat bread on a no sugar diet? ›

    White bread and pastries are refined carbohydrates that can quickly spike blood sugar levels. Opt for whole-grain bread and pastries made with minimal sugar or explore low-carb alternatives. While dried fruits may seem healthy, they are often concentrated sources of sugar.

    Can I eat fruit on a no sugar diet? ›

    Including whole fruits in a no-sugar diet can still be healthful. However, if a person chooses to eat dried fruit, they should do so in moderation and look for varieties without added sugar. Eliminating sugar from the diet is not a complete solution for weight loss.

    What is the best drink for sugar detox? ›

    What are homemade sugar detox drinks? Homemade sugar detox drinks include options like lemon water with mint, cucumber and ginger-infused water, Tulsi Water, Neem water and herbal teas.

    What can you eat on a sugar free detox? ›

    • Recommended Foods: Whole eggs (either scrambled or in an omelet) or a yogurt parfait with plain yogurt, nuts, and seeds.
    • Recommended Foods: A salad with a variety of veggies, legumes, and healthy fats.
    • Recommended Foods: Roasted vegetables with wild salmon, avocado, and brown rice.
    Apr 1, 2024

    How long does it take to fully detox from sugar? ›

    Done correctly, it takes about 2 to 3 days to detox from sugar. You'll know it's happened because your cravings will diminish, your energy will increase, and you'll crave healthy foods more than unhealthy ones. If it takes longer than 3 days, it's time to check for hidden carbs and sugars in your food and beverages.

    Can I eat popcorn on a sugar detox? ›

    Some healthy snack options are fresh or dried fruits with nuts or nut butter; veggies with hummus or guacamole; popcorn with nutritional yeast; or oatmeal with almond milk and berries. Be prepared for some withdrawal symptoms in the first few days or weeks.

    Can you eat bananas on a sugar detox? ›

    If you eat a lot of fruit, consider limiting how often you eat , oranges, bananas, grapes, mangoes, pineapples, dates, and figs. Fruits that are lower in sugar are avocados, lemons and limes, any kind of berry, grapefruit, kiwi, watermelon, cantaloupe, and peaches.

    Can you eat corn while detoxing? ›

    Related: How To Do a Sugar Detox (Without Going Crazy)

    We know that any foods rapidly converting to sugar will cause an insulin response and can contribute to inflammation,” which is one reason they suggest skipping corn during a cleanse.

    What happens to your body when you stop eating sugar for 30 days? ›

    *Improved blood sugar levels: Cutting out sugar can help stabilise your blood sugar levels, reducing spikes and crashes that can affect your energy levels and mood. *Weight loss: Sugar is a major contributor to excess calorie intake.

    What happens if you don't eat added sugar for a month? ›

    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 happens when you go sugar free for a month? ›

    Cutting sugar had actually helped me feel more energized, not less. I didn't feel like I needed a nap after eating. I just felt more balanced and had the energy to keep going. Around halfway through my month off sugar, my skin had completely cleared up.

    What does no added sugar do to your body? ›

    Cut added sugar and you could lower calories and body weight, which could improve your cholesterol. But it's not just the weight loss. Even at the same weight as others, people who got less than 20% of their calories from added sugars tended to have lower triglycerides.

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