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

    instagram.com / Via instagram.com

    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 no sugar for 30 days 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 21 day sugar free detox? ›

    The foundation of The 21-Day Sugar Detox is simple – eliminate foods that cause sugar cravings, balance your blood sugar, and choose more healthy, nutrient-dense foods. There are no pills, powders or shakes – just real, nourishing (not diet!) food.

    What not to eat on 21 day sugar detox? ›

    For 21 days, do your best to remove all added sugar from your diet so the only sources of sugar you eat comes from whole, real foods like fruits and vegetables. It's easiest to do this if you avoid pre-made or packaged foods. Instead cook with whole, plant-based ingredients and natural protein sources.

    What can you eat on a sugar free detox? ›

    Focus on your whole diet: Optimizing the nutrient density of your overall diet can help improve health and may help you cut back on added sugar. Focus on whole, unprocessed foods like vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, seeds, poultry, eggs, and seafood.

    What foods to eat on 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 in a no sugar diet? ›

    Avoid simple carbohydrates

    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 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 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 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 you eat bread on a no sugar diet? ›

    Read labels carefully and choose sugar-free or homemade options whenever possible. 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.

    Can I eat popcorn on 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.

    What foods flush sugar out of your system? ›

    5 Superfoods to Lower Your Blood Sugar
    • Berries. Don't make your trip to the store fruitless. ...
    • Go nuts. That's right—go ahead and snack on almonds, cashews or even pistachios. ...
    • Leafy greens. ...
    • Non-starchy vegetables. ...
    • Whole grains.

    What snacks for a sugar detox? ›

    Certain foods and beverages, such as fruit, yogurt, sweet potatoes, and smoothies, may help reduce sugar cravings. Foods that contain whole grains, fiber, and protein may also keep you feeling fuller longer.

    Can I eat cheese on a sugar detox? ›

    Starting with day four, you can add one apple and one dairy food each day. Dairy, such as yogurt or cheese, should be full-fat and unsweetened. You can also add some higher-sugar vegetables such as carrots and snow peas, as well as a daily serving of high-fiber crackers.

    What happens if you don't eat sugar for 30 days? ›

    Benefits of a no sugar diet for 30 days

    Reducing sugar intake or not eating it for a month can lead to weight loss as it eliminates empty calories and reduces the likelihood of overeating, says Singhwal.

    How much weight can you lose with no sugar for a month? ›

    Benefits and cautions with slashing sugar. 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.

    What does 2 weeks without sugar do to your body? ›

    Within two weeks of quitting sugar, you may experience a better mood, have higher energy levels, and even speed up your weight loss. We believe in the benefits of a sugar-free life. To help you quit — for good — we've created various products clinically proven to curb sugar cravings.

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