Learn how to follow a no sugar diet, with information about how going sugar-free can benefit your health. This post also includes a free 7-day sugar-free meal plan, including no-sugar recipes and snack ideas so you can stay on track. 

free 7-day sugar free meal plan graphic.

Sugar-Free Diet Plan

Whether you’re trying to lose weight or you just want to get healthier, reducing your intake of added sugars is a great place to start.

As a former “sugar addict,” I want to share my best tips and tricks for getting off the sugar rollercoaster and learning to enjoy real whole foods instead.

If you’re worried about what you can eat when on a sugar free diet, don’t worry! I’ll share tips and meal ideas on a no sugar diet.

While some sugar-free diet plans will have you eating just boiled chicken and steamed broccoli, my approach uses a variety of flavorful, nourishing, and satisfying foods that are balanced in macronutrients including protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.

My background as a nutrition expert with a master’s degree in public health makes my website and me a great resource for anyone looking to reduce added sugars in his or her diet.

two spoons on a counter with white sugar and brown sugar.
 

Sugar-Free Diet Plan Overview

If you’re concerned about what you can eat on a no-sugar diet, then rest assured that there are tons of choices.

In fact, if you decided to avoid processed foods and just ate whole foods, then you would naturally be close to an anti-inflammatory diet that is very low in added sugars.

A sugar-free diet doesn’t have to be limited or leave you hungry and unsatisfied. I’ll share some delicious and nourishing breakfast, lunch and dinner ideas below that are all made without any added sugars.

You can also check out my clean eating food list for a list of foods that I consider to be part of a real food approach. You might also like my post about how to eat clean without starving yourself.

Also, if you’re going sugar-free, you might want to check out my tips for going sugar-free without going crazy.

No Sugar Breakfast Ideas

If you’re going sugar-free, a savory breakfast will be your friend! You’ll help reduce sugar cravings by signaling to your brain first thing that sugar is not available.

But, don’t be afraid of adding fruit to your breakfast either. Fruit in moderation is healthy for almost everyone and does not include added sugars. Fruit in its whole form (as opposed to fruit juice) contains antioxidants, fiber, and natural sugars.

When planning your breakfast, shoot for at least 25 grams of protein to help keep blood sugar stable and reduce hunger the rest of the day.

If you need some sweetness for your coffee, then check out my article with the best sugar substitutes. It’s probably best to avoid artificial sweeteners whenever possible.

No added sugar breakfast ideas include:

  • Egg muffins made with hams, sausage or bacon
  • Green smoothie made with collagen protein and berries
  • Leftovers from dinner the day before
  • Chia pudding sweetened with fresh berries

While you should probably skip fruit juice and breakfast cereals with breakfast, you can certainly fill up on other healthy foods.

It’s also a good idea to avoid sugar-laden coffee drinks found at most coffee shops. Instead, stick with black coffee or tea. Use just a tiny bit of sugar or a natural sugar substitute if you want to sweeten your coffee.

bowl of chia pudding with berries.
Sugar-free chia pudding.

Sugar Free Lunch Ideas

Lunch is a good time to get some antioxidants from fruit, starchy veggies, or greens, plus protein and fat.

By balancing your meals with macronutrients (fats, carbs, and protein), any natural sugars or carbohydrates you consume at lunch will be used as energy throughout your afternoon rather than stored as fat.

Make your own homemade salad dressings to avoid added sugar, and make sure you read the labels and ingredients list on any packaged foods.

No-sugar lunch ideas include:

  • Power bowl with whole grains, legume, baked fish or roast chicken, and avocado
  • Salad topped with a hamburger patty or sliced sausage and tons of raw shredded veggies
  • Hot soup with veggies, lean protein, beans, and a dollop of coconut yogurt (check out my low-carb Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Stew)
meal prep lunch in glass containers.

Sugar Free Dinner Recipes

If you went without sugar all day, feel free to pair your dinner with a piece of fruit or a healthy baked treat for dessert. Some people also enjoy a piece of dark chocolate as a healthy after-dinner treat.

No-sugar dinner ideas include:

7-Day No Sugar Meal Plan

one week sugar free meal plan with pictures of meals.

This No Sugar Diet Meal Plan is meant to serve as an example of what it’s like to eat for seven days with no added sugars.

So, while you might be giving up added sugars like honey, cane sugar, and maple syrup, you can still get added sweetness from natural sugars in fruit and sweet potatoes.

I think you’ll find that after the first week of going sugar-free, it will get much easier to avoid the sweet stuff and choose foods higher in nutritional value. A low-sugar diet will also help with consistent energy levels and reduce your chance of heart disease and insulin resistance.

Of course, always consult with your health care provider before making any changes to your diet. This diet plan is also dairy free and gluten free.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday 

Friday 

Saturday 

Sunday

Sugar Free Snacks

Other simple snacks with no added sugars include:

  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Baby carrots with hummus
  • Greek yogurt with berries
  • Handful of almonds or other nuts or seeds
  • Apple and nut butter (check the label to make sure there are no sugars in the ingredients)
  • and leftovers from breakfast, lunch, or dinner

More Resources You Might Like

Why Go Sugar-Free?

Let’s talk about why too much sugar is a problem that can lead to health problems.

Sugar consumption is at an all-time high. The average American consumes at least 17 teaspoons of sugar a day, when the recommended amount is ideally less than 6 teaspoons for women and 9 teaspoons for men.

Roughly 39% of American adults are obese, and there’s evidence that sugar is a major culprit.

If you’re following a standard American diet, chances are that you’ll find sugar in nearly everything you eat, and not just sweet foods or sugar foods.

Sugar is sneaky, making its way into even savory foods–you likely have no idea how much you’re actually consuming.

Food manufacturers use different names for sugar to help hide them in food labels. This is particularly true of processed foods, which often

FAQs

What is the difference between sugar-free and no-added sugar?

Being sugar free can mean different things to different people. For some, it may mean no processed sugar, but natural sugar is allowed. For others, it may mean cutting processed sugar and limiting natural sugars as well. And for a few, it may mean no processed sugar, no natural sugar, and no natural sweeteners either (i.e., stevia, monkfruit, yacon syrup). Read more about doing a sugar detox if you want to go cold turkey.

For this article, we’ll go with the moderate approach of cutting processed sugar and limiting natural sugars from fresh fruits as well. This means limiting fruit to several servings a day or less, and reserving natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar to special occasions.

What is the best way to cut sugar out of your diet?

Keep in mind that sugar is an addictive substance, so you could be breaking an addiction. Don’t get too hard on yourself if you fall back into old habits. With patience and consistency, you can stop sugar cravings and adjust your taste buds.

Try one of these strategies based on the Abstainer vs. Moderator theory, and know that you can always switch if you’re not seeing results:

Moderate: Limit all sugars (natural and processed), but allow healthy treats and indulgences. This approach will look different for every Moderator. As a Moderator, you enjoy having sugar in your diet, and it doesn’t make you crave or obsess over it like you would if you cut it completely. Allow yourself to eat fruit, use honey or maple syrup to sweeten healthy treats, and use stevia or monk fruit. See my list of the safe sweeteners

Abstain: Completely eliminate all sugars (fruit, coconut sugar, sweet veggies) and sugar-free sweeteners (stevia, monkfruit, etc.) An Abstainer may even take it a step further by cutting out hyperpalatable foods or things with a ‘sweet’ taste such as nut butters, coconut, or vanilla. Abstainers know that if they allow anything sweet, the cravings will just continue. Indulge yourself with fat and 100% dark chocolate, but be careful not to label it as a reward. Check out my sugar detox plan.

Can you eat potatoes while you’re avoiding sugar?

Whether or not you should eat potatoes on a sugar-free diet depends on your reason for the diet. If you are looking to retrain your tastebuds and simply ensure a longer, healthier life, then potatoes are a nutrient-dense food to enjoy.

However, if you’re going sugar-free to help balance blood sugar, be mindful of including potatoes too often. Potatoes are relatively high on the glycemic index, meaning that they cause a sharper rise in blood sugar. Someone looking to keep blood sugar stable should focus on protein, fat, and non-starchy veggies.

Learn more about natural sugars vs. added sugars.

Can you lose weight on a no-sugar diet?

A sugar-free diet can certainly help you lose excess weight and achieve your weight loss goals.

As described earlier in this blog post, sugar is either used by cells for energy or is stored as fat. Going sugar-free allows your body to use all the sugar it’s given (from starchy veggies or fruit) and minimize the likelihood of any being stored as fat. Moreover, you can lose inflammation weight by reducing your sugar intake.

Can you eat bananas on a no sugar diet?

On a strict no-sugar diet, naturally occurring sugars, including those in fruits like bananas, are typically avoided. However, if the diet only restricts added sugars, then bananas can be consumed. It’s important to discuss with your healthcare provider how restrictive you need to be on a sugar-free approach.

How long does it take to detox from sugar?

The time it takes to detox from sugar can vary depending on individual factors and the level of sugar consumption. Generally, physical symptoms like cravings and fatigue can last from a few days to two weeks. However, psychological cravings and habits associated with sugar consumption might take longer to overcome.

Conclusions

There are proven health benefits to cutting back on sugars in your diet, especially added sugars. Use this post and diet plan as guidance to help with a no sugar diet. Eating a real food diet without a lot of sugar can help you manage your weight and address other health concerns including inflammation and blood sugar issues.

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and is studying to be a holistic nutritionist. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send her a message through her contact form.

Note: this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations related to your individual situation.