Sugar is one of the most pervasive substances in our society. 95% of Americans consume it every single day, and yet we know so little about what it does to us. Many people assume that sugar is just a natural part of life, like water or air, but the truth is that many studies have shown how closely related sugar consumption can be with heart disease and other serious health conditions. For this reason alone, cutting back on your sugar intake could lead you to an improved quality of life. This article is going to give you the lowdown on what a 40-day sugar fast rules are all about, why it’s important to partly avoid sugars during the 40 days of fasting, and how you can go about making that transition.
The 40-day sugar fast is an initiative created by Wendy Speake which works on the premise of abstaining from sugar for 40 days to free oneself from cravings for it. It is designed to help individuals kick their sugar addiction and focus more on their spirituality (1).
There are no hard-and-fast rules regarding the consumption of sweet foods during this time; merely guidelines that one should follow.
This challenge has three primary goals:
While not everyone may relate to the spiritual aspects of this fast, there are some benefits to be had from a low-sugar diet.
Read More: The 28-Day Sugar Detox: Here’s How To Improve Your Health By Cutting Out Sugar From Your Diet
This diet requires you to eliminate all refined and added sugars from your diet. You may also have to cut out high-glycemic foods.
The challenge is to avoid all added sugars for 40 days, including:
Here are some easy swaps that can help you cut back on your sugar intake:
There are many health benefits of a low sugar diet.
Here are the most notable ones:
Many people have a hard time losing weight if they eat a lot of sugar. When you eat sugar, your body produces insulin which stores the excess glucose as fat. This makes it very difficult to lose weight when you’re eating too much sugar regularly.
If you want to get rid of stubborn fat and start sculpting that six-pack, try reducing or going completely without sugar for a few weeks and see how your body responds! After a while, your cravings will decrease, and you won’t feel like eating all the sugars anymore (6).
If you struggle to even flirt with the idea of giving up your favorite foods or working out till your legs give way – BetterMe app is here to breathe a fresh perspective into the way you view the weight loss process! Check out the app and experience the fun side of fitness and dieting with BetterMe!
Many people who suffer from diabetes often have a hard time controlling their blood sugar levels after every meal. For many diabetics, having sugary drinks or desserts can be life-threatening. If you are one of those people who struggle with regulating blood sugar levels, try eliminating all sugars for a few weeks or months and see how much your blood sugar levels improve. Talk to your doctor first, especially if you are on medication to control your blood sugar.
A healthy diet may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (12). This means that limiting sugars may help individuals to decrease their chances of type 2 diabetes if they already have prediabetes.
Sugar allows bacteria, which is responsible for tooth decay, to grow in our mouths resulting in cavities (7). As soon as we finish eating foods with lots of sugar, our mouths start producing acids that cause tooth decay.
According to some studies, consuming more sugar is linked to high blood triglyceride levels, low levels of good cholesterol, and high levels of bad cholesterol, which can all lead to heart problems in the long run (11).
Do you ever find yourself craving sugary snacks when you’re feeling down? Studies link consumption of high-sugar products like soft drinks to an increased risk of depression (9). If you want to improve your mental health, try eliminating all sugars for a few weeks and see how much better you feel!
Cutting down on sugars will help your body function properly throughout the day without feeling exhausted after every meal. To have enough energy to last throughout the day, you need a good balance of protein and complex carbs, which can be found in foods such as nuts, eggs, whole grains, and vegetables (3).
Read More: 30-Day No Sugar Challenge: How To Win Against Your Sweet Tooth For Health Benefits
When it comes to going on a low sugar diet, there are definitely some things you need to keep in mind. First of all, you can’t do this overnight since your body will crave those sugars from the foods you consume every day. For you to successfully cut down on sugars without feeling too hungry or tired, start by consuming less than 20 grams of added sugar per day and take it from there.
In addition, follow these tips to guarantee success during the 40-day sugar fast:
Food labels are very important when it comes to learning how much sugar you are actually consuming. You’d be surprised at how many products contain sugars in the form of natural sweeteners, fructose, high-fructose corn syrup, cane juice crystals, and fruit concentrates! These sugars can add up quickly, so make sure that you always take a look at your food labels before throwing them into your grocery cart.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when on a low sugar diet is waiting too long before eating. This is extremely counterproductive since you’re more likely to overeat and go overboard with your daily limit once you finally sit down for lunch or dinner. What’s more, skipping meals reduces diet quality and may harm your health over time (10). Try eating every 2-3 hours to avoid this problem and stay energized throughout the day.
When you’re on a low sugar diet for 40 days, it’s only normal to have some cravings every now and then. The best way to deal with this is by treating yourself with healthy sugars from fruits and berries.
Make sure to include some of these sugars during every meal in order to satisfy your cravings for something sweet without going overboard with your daily limit. You can also use these natural sweeteners to improve the overall taste of your favorite dishes.
To have enough energy and reduce cravings on a low sugar diet, you need to increase your intake of healthy fats from fish, nuts, and healthy oils such as olive oil. In addition, try adding some butter onto your steamed veggies, as they will also give you that natural sweetness without all those extra calories. Remember that this is not a low-fat diet, so don’t be afraid of getting plenty of good fats into your daily meal plan.
Most types of alcohol contain high amounts of sugars (4). Furthermore, it impairs your judgment and makes you more inclined toward unhealthy food choices. If you absolutely have to drink alcohol, make sure that you only do so if it’s an occasional thing and not an everyday event.
Yes, there are some risks involved in following a low sugar diet. First of all, if you don’t ensure you’re getting enough calories, you may end up feeling tired and hungry most of the time. You also need to make sure that your food choices are healthy in order to stay energized throughout the day(no fast food).
Too few sugars can make you feel weak, in addition to having mood swings. Last but not least, this type of diet is not suitable if you’re doing high-intensity workouts because it eliminates high glycemic carbs that would otherwise fuel your workouts. If you decide to follow a low sugar diet, it’s a smart idea to monitor your caloric intake to ensure you’re getting enough energy from nutrient-dense foods each day. Always talk to your doctor before making any major dietary changes, especially if you have any medical conditions or are taking medication.
The 40-day sugar fast is a low-sugar diet with some very obvious health benefits that you may benefit from. Just follow what’s outlined above to get started on your own healthy low sugar diet.
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