Quitting sugar
Directing a photoshoot and my mouth is full of sugar cookie.
Almost two years ago, I gave up alcohol as an experiment in my health. Wowweee! I was missing out. For me, life without alcohol feels more vibrant, alive, focused, and real. That’s another topic for another post.
Since I’ve cut out the evening glass of wine, I turned to a different treat: sugar. Just a few bites of chocolate or a cookie. Maybe a small bowl of ice cream. Sounds like it’s not that big of a deal, right? Well, not when it’s every night. We were having treats after dinner, and I even felt the cravings after lunch. Literally, anytime I’d eat.
As I learned more about the cons of consuming sugar, the more I wanted to cut it out.
Cons of Consuming Sugar
Triggers chronic inflammation in the body—all of our disease comes from inflammation!
Can impact mood, memory, and mental health
Causes blood sugar spikes and crashes
Increases risk of weight gain and obesity
Linked to heart disease and high blood pressure
Contributes to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
Feeds harmful bacteria, leading to tooth decay
Also: sugar is drugs. And not just in a cute, TikTok-y way. Studies show that sugar activates the brain’s reward system in a way that’s eerily similar to cocaine. You can literally see it on brain scans. Sugar releases dopamine, which feels good and makes you want more. Over time, this can lead to tolerance (you need more for the same fix) and withdrawal-like symptoms when you try to stop. Not something I’m down with.
I’m about two months into cutting out sugar from my diet, and I wanted to share a few things that have helped me along the way. For reference, I’ve cut processed sugar (fro-yo, ice cream, cake, cookies, certain energy bars). I still eat dates and occasionally honey.
Tips to Avoid processed Sugar
Have a cup of tea. I love a sweet and spicy orange tea or licorice root tea, which has a naturally sweet taste and feels like a treat.
Add kraut to your dinner plate. Ending your meal with fermented cabbage or kimchi leaves a salty, tangy taste in your mouth—cravings gone. Olives work, too.
Eat something tart. A slice of orange or a couple kumquats can reset your palate and give your brain a different kind of “zing.”
Have a protein ball. These are basically cookies without butter and brown sugar. My favorite includes dates, peanut butter, protein powder, a seeded blend, and tart cherries.
Drink your vitamins. This one’s unique to the powdered blend I take, but it’s delicious with warm water and a splash of milk. It uses monk fruit, so there’s a hint of sweetness without the sugar.
This journey has been eye-opening—and honestly, empowering. It's not about being perfect. It's about feeling better, clearer, and more in control of what I put in my body. If you’re feeling the pull to ditch sugar, I’m cheering you on. Start small. Stay curious. And know that it does get easier.
Curious if anyone else has tried cutting back on sugar—what’s helped you? Drop a comment below or send me a note. I’d love to hear your story.
