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 to eat during a 30 day no sugar challenge? ›

    Some examples are eggs, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, quinoa, oats, brown rice, sweet potatoes, broccoli, spinach, kale, carrots, apples, bananas, berries, oranges, and almond milk. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and flush out toxins.

    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.

    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.

    What happens to your body after 30 days of no sugar? ›

    Yes, cutting back on sugar can have some pretty sweet effects on your health. Cutting out added sugars, even just for a month, may seem difficult at first, but the benefits it can bring are well worth it. From a lowered risk of diabetes to better gut health and less anxiety etc.

    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 not to eat during 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.

    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.

    How much weight can you lose by not eating 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.

    Can I eat peanut butter on sugar detox? ›

    Be sure to choose snacks and meals that are high in fiber and protein naturally: hard-boiled eggs, for one, or even a small omelette; a handful of nuts at your desk; an apple with peanut butter, or even some crudité and hummus.

    Can I eat popcorn on a sugar detox? ›

    Healthier snack options are those without added sugar, such as fresh or tinned fruit (in juice, not syrup), unsalted mixed nuts, plain popcorn, rice cakes, crackers topped with lower-fat cheese or lower-sugar yoghurts.

    What foods have no sugar? ›

    Seafood, pork, beef, and chicken are all sugar-free. They're also an important source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. If you don't eat meat, soybeans, lentils, beans, nuts, and seeds are great sugar-free, high-protein foods.

    What does a sugar face look like? ›

    Here are the tell-tale signs on your face that sugar is the culprit aging your skin: The surface of your skin looks hard and shiny. Deep, crosshatch lines appear along your upper lip. Discoloration and hyperpigmentation mark your skin.

    What does 14 days without sugar do? ›

    By eliminating sugar from your diet, you can reduce your calorie intake and boost your metabolism. You may also lose some water weight, as sugar can cause water retention in your body. You may notice that your clothes fit better and that you feel lighter and more confident.

    What foods to avoid on 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 foods are good for quitting sugar? ›

    Consider eating more protein

    Protein has also been shown to directly reduce food cravings. One study found that increasing protein in the diet by 25% reduced cravings by 60% ( 31 ). To curb sugar cravings, stock up on protein-rich whole foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, full-fat dairy products, avocados, and nuts.

    What can I eat that has no sugar? ›

    Seafood, pork, beef, and chicken are all sugar-free. They're also an important source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. If you don't eat meat, soybeans, lentils, beans, nuts, and seeds are great sugar-free, high-protein foods.

    Can I eat rice in 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.

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