Over the next month, I’ll be sharing lots of recipes and meal plans that are tasty and low-sugar. Just as important as the foods we eat are the nutrition habits we fall back to day-after-day. So much of this sugar detox is re-training what has become an unhealthy routine. There are LOTS of safeguards we can put in place to make sure that we are eating by intent, and not by default.
Meal plan by the week. Have tasty breakfast foods and prepare pre-plated lunches. Thaw any dinner foods each morning. Use our menus as a starting point!
Make your meals and snacks intentional, beautiful experiences. Use pretty place settings, enjoy outdoor dining, eat with loved ones. Allow at least 20 minutes, avoid rush and noise whenever possible. No TV or technology while eating!
Limit eating out and carryout, and plan ahead when you do. Chain fast food restaurants are not your friends.
Add any condiments on the side. Use our approved Let's Get Sauce-y List Note: Condiments/sauces/dressings are sugar havens! Use caution, and make your own whenever possible.
Check out our delicious hot and cold drink options to avoid sugary habits.
Brush your teeth after eating.
Eat before you are HANGRY. A sugar detox is not the time to fast, though some may choose to add intermittent fasting after completing the initial 30 day detox. Eat 3 healthy meals, and have healthy snacks available at home, work, and on the road.
Avoid circumstances where you will be tempted with sugary foods until you feel strong and sturdy! It's not forever, just until you are well beyond the detox and in control of your eating.
Use a “star chart” to track your successes. Even grown-ups are naturally wired for progress!
Do NOT bring sugary or processed foods into your home for ANY reason. (I know, we are heading into Halloween. DON’T DO IT.)
Mentally prepare for post-detox nutrition. Slowly add fruits to your nutrition after the 30 day detox, limiting grains, dairy, and starchy vegetables, and avoiding other sweets and alcohol except for very special occasions.
Many of these healthy habits are things we all KNOW. Unfortunately, typical American lifestyle does not commit to them or allow for them. I mean, many teachers have all of 18 minutes to scarf down lunch while they monitor 120 kids in a cafeteria. It doesn’t make for stress-free nutrition or digestion.
Mentally prepare to be INTENTIONAL with your eating next week!