Sugar is a sweet enemy. It is a path we need to tread carefully. Sugar can be addictive and has been linked to weight gain. Going through a sugar detox is an effective way to lose excess fat, especially around your midsection. It is also the best way to reset your relationship with sugar but it doesn’t mean you are completely giving up sugar for good.
Doing a sugar detox will help you curb your cravings, absorb more nutrients into your body, enjoy a balanced gut, improve your brain health and eliminate some threats to your cardiovascular health. While all these benefits are a good read to try a sugar detox today, there are still things you should know before you start your sugar detox journey:
People react to sugar detox differently but it all depends on how much sugar you were eating. Detoxing can cause unpleasant mental and physical symptoms. Sugar withdrawal symptoms can last between days to 2 weeks and it can get worse when you are stressed.
Side Effects Of Sugar Detox
Generally, detoxing is a safe process but there are bound to be side effects. You are likely to experience about two or more of the following:
- Mild headaches
- Joint and muscle pain
- Anxiety
- Cravings
- Depression
- Cognitive issues
- Loss of appetite
- Increased urination
- Dizziness
- Tingling
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Excessive sweating
- Bowel movement changes
- Change in sleep pattern
How to Beat sugar detox side effects
The following are tips can help you beat sugar withdrawal symptoms;
- Add protein to all your meals to energy levels and hunger during your sugar detox.
- Eat foods that are high in fiber to control sugar cravings. It can also help you avoid sugar detox side effects nausea and like headache.
- Take plenty of water to avoid constipation.
- Stay away from artificial sweeteners
- Manage your stress levels. Meditation can help with this
- Workout can help you reduce your cravings for sugary foods
- Sipping on green juice works. A 2014 study confirms this. Drink spinach drink before breakfast sometimes.
- Lack of sleep can worsen your sugar detox symptoms. Avoid daytime napping to sleep better bedtime at night.
- Research shows that eating bitter stuff can shut down the part of the brain that makes us crave sugar. Try arugula, broccoli raab or coffee.
- Go for low glycemic and healthy foods. Take more sea vegetables because they are packed with minerals and vitamins. Take plenty of leafy greens, legumes, tofu, nuts, and vegetables; they are rich in magnesium.
- Avoid tricking yourself into keeping some chocolates around the house. They may not last a week like you intended them to.
- Being strict is a good option. You should be careful as you introduce sweetness on your cheat days or after your detox. Don’t have leftovers of sweetness from your cheat day at home. It is tough to go through the mind debate of whether or not to eat them.
- Avoid processed foods and drinks.
- Reinforcement is a good idea if you are on a sugar detox session. You will have friends to fess up to if you slip back. Celebrating your healthy food choices and sharing your swap journey with like-minded people will be a great motivator.
- Get something else you can reward yourself with at the end of a tough day so you don’t feel denied. Read an amazing book, get a massage or hot bath or do anyone of other things you normally look forward to. Any activity that will increase your serotonin levels will do great but whatever you do, try not to replace one addicting habit with another.
Sugar is everywhere and you will miss it but you can conquer the cravings. When food becomes boring due to lack of the normal sweet treats in it, always have it in mind that it gets easier as the days go back. How long do you have to go through these sugar withdrawal symptoms? 10 days, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
These side effects will happen as your body starts to adjust from the body cleanse. You are going to experience some of these symptoms at the initial stages of the detox program. They will later subside. However, you should make sure to consult with your health care provider before starting any detox program. It is not advisable to go through a detox program unsupervised.
Author’s Bio:
This is Christina; a fitness lover, reader, and full-time writer. She’s currently one of the editors at DetoxifyTips.com and MyFitnessTipster.com. When she’s not watching a movie or hanging out with friends, she’s probably researching new ways to actualize her goal of helping you to commit to fitness
