I have dared the experiment. 6 weeks without sugar. So you know what to expect, I have recorded my sugar withdrawal symptoms here.
This year I'm really going to do it. I have often resolved to do without sugar for a longer period of time.
Sometimes I was almost at the finish line when the desire for sweets overcame me. And other times, it was over after just 3 days. Such a sugar withdrawal can be quite intense.
You get withdrawal symptoms without sugar, which are anything but fun.
If you're also currently planning a sugar-free time or want to start, you've come to the right place.
I'll tell you what sugar withdrawal symptoms to expect.
By the way: The book "Sugar Free - The 40 Day Challenge" that I ordered from Amazon, has helped me understand a little better what is actually happening to my body.
The most common sugar withdrawal symptoms
So much in advance: sugar withdrawal symptoms can be different for everyone. While one person has a headache all the time, the other is constantly tired.
Not all sugar withdrawal symptoms have to apply to you. I'm writing down the most common signs and symptoms of my sugar-free experiment here.
A distinction is made between physical and psychological symptoms of inflammation.
1. craving for sweets
Probably the worst withdrawal symptom of giving up sugar. And also the first sign that appears. The irrepressible desire for sweets.
Normally, I would now treat myself to an afternoon snack. A piece of chocolate would quickly pull the corners of my mouth back up. It would really spur me on and make me perform at my best.
Wean yourself off sweets in 8 steps! This is how you can do it!
If I'm having a "healthy" day, I'd have a chocolate granola right now. Yummy! But nix there.
Today we have vegetable sticks.
Already on day 2, the sugar withdrawal symptoms hit me pretty hard. For a small bite dark chocolate* I would be doing a lot right now.
And I'm not even hungry. I've eaten a lot and in a balanced way. But this feeling of needing something sweet right now won't let me go all day.
Is brown sugar healthier than white?
2. sugar withdrawal headache
I suffer from migraines every now and then. Sometimes more severe, sometimes less severe. Unfortunately, I don't know a month without a headache.
If you're not eating table sugar right now, a headache will be at the top of your sugar withdrawal symptoms list.
Does a migraine piercing really help? My self-experiment!
I used to just treat myself to a Coke when I had a migraine and use it to wash away a headache.
So it happened that I justified a bar of chocolate with my headache one or the other time.
The best home remedies for headaches!
3. tired and knocked out by eating without sugar
The first days of sugar withdrawal are physically quite brutal. In addition to headaches, most people also suffer from constant fatigue.
What would I give for a sip of coffee with sugar or a Coke right now?
I am so tired and that even though I make sure to get enough sleep.
Never be tired again with these ingenious tips!
Somehow my lauen is in the basement. And I don't know why. I quickly realize that it's due to sugar deprivation. Really frightening.
4. the skin becomes more impure
At least there I was lucky. Many report that they get pimples and oily skin during sugar cessation.
This is due to the detoxification of the body. The skin is in fact our largest detoxification organ.
Does zinc ointment help against pimples?
If you still suddenly stop eating sugar, your body wants to get rid of stored acid waste.
And it does this through the skin. Incidentally, besides sugar, white flour is one of the biggest hyperacidifiers.
Fortunately, I could not notice this sign on me. It's enough for me that I have to fight with impurities again and again even without sugar withdrawal.
5. irritable and unfocused
The first few days are really not fun. I get irritated quickly. In the past, if someone wanted to tease me a bit in the office, I would have just laughed. Maybe I would have shown my tongue for fun.
Now I could fly off the handle. I'm annoyed by little things. Whether it's my colleague who constantly clicks his ballpoint pen or the sound of my colleague gleefully taking a bite out of her chocolate bar.
My working day changes a little. I put things that require a lot of concentration in the morning. I manage better there.
My tip: music in and beam away. :)
How sugar deprivation symptoms develop
The more sugar you snacked on before, the harder it will be for you. The sugar withdrawal symptoms are quite severe for those with a sweet tooth.
Try to take the symptoms of sugar withdrawal calmly. Look on the bright side - your body is just getting rid of sugar.
And that is very difficult for him.
Do you know these 13 delicious sweets without sugar?
You get the typical psychological symptoms because your blood sugar level drops temporarily due to withdrawal.
It needs to settle down and get used to not having fast digesting carbohydrates available.
Why you should never give up complex carbohydrates!
Now it's time to hang in there!
The physical discomfort occurs because your body is detoxing and wants to get rid of the "old sugar".
Within four to ten days of starting, sugar withdrawal symptoms will improve. You will feel fitter and your mood will improve.
How long this really hard phase lasts varies from person to person.
Avoid symptoms of sugar withdrawal
Ideally, we would simply not have all these complaints. But unfortunately, that's not possible. At least we can support our body and prevent or mitigate the sugar withdrawal symptoms.
1. eat healthy
If you're going through withdrawal - whether it's sugar, cigarettes or anything else, your body needs lots of nutrients.
Eat at least 3 full meals every day. Cook for yourself.
Do not use ready-made meals, ready-made sauces or similar. The fresher and the more vegetables the better.
The great guide to a balanced diet!
Eat as many vegetables as you can, reach for two servings of fruit a day.
At the same time, be very sparing with simple carbohydrates from flour.
2. do sports
Distract yourself from sugar withdrawal. No matter what sport you do, the main thing is that you don't have time to think about sweets.
Exercise outdoors gives you an energy boost. Exactly the kind you usually get from chocolate.
With these 23 foods, you'll never get cravings again!
When you're really knocked out, it's rarely because you've pushed your body too hard. Most of the time, you've just eaten the wrong food.
Wheat and sugar in all forms cause your blood sugar levels to rise quickly and then fall again.
If it's just about to drop, you'll feel listless and won't be able to concentrate well.
Sport now helps you to release feelings of happiness. Especially sudden attacks of ravenous hunger can be well controlled with fitness.
Find the best sport for you. Everyone ticks differently. The main thing is to distract yourself.
3. sleep properly
If you want to get sugar withdrawal symptoms under control, you need to sleep. It's important that you start the day rested.
That's about 8 hours for an adult. The less you sleep, the more energy you need. And the more likely you are to have cravings.
But you shouldn't sleep too much either. You have to find a middle ground for yourself.
This is what happens to your body when you sleep too much!
4. analyze your sugar consumption
You're having a fight with your best friend again. It's really getting you down. You don't understand the world anymore.
Now only chocolate can help. But stop!
Don't.
If you are also one of those people who eat unhealthy foods because they are sad, stressed or lonely, rethink the behavior.
Sweets do feel like a reward now. But only for a very short time. Later, you'll feel even worse.
Get to the bottom of your frustration. Maybe you just need some distance from each other. A real friendship can't stop that.
Finally live sugar-free! This is how it works!
When you are clear about why you eat sweets, symptoms like comfort eating disappear all by themselves.
My conclusion
Sugar withdrawal symptoms can be quite severe. However, if you know why you are going through withdrawal and have set goals, you can make it.
The important thing is that you stick it out for the first week of sugar withdrawal. After that it's uphill physically and mentally. That's a promise!
To browse further:
* Advertising & affiliate links: Our website is financed by advertising and affiliate links. As a partner of linked stores (e.g. Amazon) we earn from qualified sales.
Read more