We all know it: Eating too much sugar isn’t good for our health. It’s bad for the body, skin and brain, and reducing our intake can make a huge difference to our wellbeing. I may know this, but it doesn’t stop me from grabbing an ice cream on my way home.
So how do I give it up? The prospect was totally unthinkable until recently, then I read a Harvard study that found refined sugar consumption can contribute to the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Meanwhile, another study highlighted that prolonged sugar consumption can lead to the development of diseases, like Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, or thyroid problems. The final straw was when a doctor told me I was dependent on it.
So I decided to try out a seven day cleanse. Now, on the other side, I have some good news: It is possible to live without eating added sugar, and you can feel really good — that is, once your body has finished detoxing. More on my experience, below.
What happened on my sugar-free week To eliminate sugar from your diet, you can go one of two ways: The drastic route, where you just go cold turkey. Or, the easier route, where you gradually remove it from your life. The first option can lead to side effects, like headaches or tiredness, which feel dramatic at the time but will only last for a handful of days.
The latter is simpler but slower (and there’s more temptation along the way). I went cold turkey, eliminating all sugars for seven days. From the moment I woke up, I heard a voice.