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

    instagram.com / Via instagram.com

    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

    instagram.com / Via instagram.com

    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

    instagram.com / Via instagram.com

    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

    instagram.com / Via instagram.com

    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

    instagram.com / Via instagram.com

    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

    instagram.com / Via instagram.com

    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

    instagram.com / Via instagram.com

    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

    instagram.com / Via instagram.com

    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

    instagram.com / Via instagram.com

    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

    instagram.com / Via instagram.com

    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

    instagram.com / Via instagram.com

    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

    instagram.com / Via instagram.com

    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

    instagram.com / Via instagram.com

    Honestly, nothing beats the guac and egg combo. Recipe here.

    18. Turkey Quinoa Zoodles

    instagram.com / Via instagram.com

    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

    instagram.com / Via instagram.com

    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

    instagram.com / Via instagram.com

    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.

    I Did A 30-Day Sugar Detox And Here's What Happened

    buzzfeed.com

    My 30-Day Sugar Detox Meal Plan

    buzzfeed.com

    15 Things People Don't Tell You About Extreme Weight Loss

    buzzfeed.com

    17 Things That Actually Helped Me Lose 85 Pounds

    buzzfeed.com

    21 No-Added-Sugar Recipes I Used During My 30-Day Detox (2024)

    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 can I eat that has no added sugar? ›

    Sugar-Free Alternatives
    • Vegetables. Compared to fruits, most vegetables contain less sugar. ...
    • Meat. Seafood, pork, beef, and chicken are all sugar-free. ...
    • Beans, Nuts, Lentils. If you don't eat meat, soybeans, lentils, beans, nuts, and seeds are great sugar-free, high-protein foods.
    • Grains.
    Nov 29, 2022

    What not to eat 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.

    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 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.

    Can I eat peanut butter on a no sugar diet? ›

    Yes, without a doubt! Sugar-free peanut butter is a better option than regular peanut butter. Peanut butter is high in protein and healthy fats. Sugar-free peanut butter contains fewer calories than regular peanut butter.

    Can I 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.

    What are five foods that are not sweet but do contain sugar? ›

    Surprising Sources of Hidden Sugar
    • Pasta Sauces. 1/12. They taste savory, not sweet -- but many have between 6 and 12 grams of sugar per half-cup serving. ...
    • Granola Bars. 2/12. ...
    • Yogurt. 3/12. ...
    • Instant Oatmeal. 4/12. ...
    • Salad Dressing. 5/12. ...
    • Breakfast Cereals. 6/12. ...
    • Energy Drinks. 7/12. ...
    • Packaged Fruits. 8/12.
    Aug 28, 2023

    What should I eat the first 3 days of sugar detox? ›

    So for the first three days on a sugar detox, Alpert recommends no added sugars – but also no fruits, no starchy vegetables (such as corn, peas, sweet potatoes and butternut squash), no dairy, no grains and no alcohol. “You're basically eating protein, vegetables and healthy fats.”

    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.

    Can I eat rice on 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.

    What happens if you stop eating sugar for 21 days? ›

    It takes 21 days to form a habit. 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.

    What should I eat on the 21 day reset? ›

    Create Balanced Meal Plans
    1. Adequate protein sources (e.g., lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, beans and lentils)
    2. Complex carbohydrates (e.g., whole grains, starchy vegetables)
    3. Healthy fats (e.g., avocado, olive oil, nuts)
    4. Plenty of fruits and vegetables for vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
    Feb 14, 2024

    What should I eat if I have sugar withdrawal? ›

    Try replacing added sugars with natural ones, boosting your essential nutrient intake. For example, opt for plain oatmeal rather than flavored types. Then, add fresh fruits like banana slices, blueberries, or strawberries. Quitting or limiting added sugar can be tricky since it's found in so many foods.

    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.

    References

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Fr. Dewey Fisher

    Last Updated:

    Views: 5692

    Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

    Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Fr. Dewey Fisher

    Birthday: 1993-03-26

    Address: 917 Hyun Views, Rogahnmouth, KY 91013-8827

    Phone: +5938540192553

    Job: Administration Developer

    Hobby: Embroidery, Horseback riding, Juggling, Urban exploration, Skiing, Cycling, Handball

    Introduction: My name is Fr. Dewey Fisher, I am a powerful, open, faithful, combative, spotless, faithful, fair person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.