Sugar Detox

Sugar detox can be classified like alcohol or drug detox.  Sugar is one of the most addictive substances. It stimulates the release of dopamine, which makes you feel pleasure. It may startle you to learn that heroine, morphine and sugar all stimulate the same receptors in your brain.

Carbohydrates, protein and fat is induced by the body into glucose, which we use for energy. While these “natural sugars” are slowly absorbed by the body, refined carbohydrates, like the ones in pancakes, the syrup and even the white sugar you put on your cup of coffee, get absorbed rapidly into the blood stream. This makes your sugar level rise, which triggers the release of insulin. The problem lies here, when your sugar intake has already been stripped of all nutrients, your cells rob your tissue of minerals.

How to do a Sugar Detox

Detoxification takes 28 days for most addictive substances, and sugar – hidden in fast food, low-fat options and condiments – is certainly an addictive substance. On this detox diet, you’ll detox, cleanse hidden sugars and learn how to incorporate alternative sweeteners.

WEEK 1: Cleanse your pantry of sugar. Look at labels to get a feel of how many of the foods you eat will be affected by the detox diet. (For a list of the many names used to stand in for sugar, go to drcarolyndean.com.)

WEEK 2: Cleanse diet of dairy. Eliminate all dairy (which contains galactose sugar), except unsweetened yogurt—the probiotic content may be good for detoxing. Use unsweetened almond, rice, or oat milk instead of animal milk for natural cleanse.

WEEK 3: Toss out refined wheat. Replace refined wheat, which is immediately turned into glucose in the body, with wheat-free pastas, breads, and crackers, and alternative whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat, millet, and amaranth. Detox diet also means eliminating all sources of white flour.

WEEK 4: Cleanse diet, stop eating sugar, including fruit. In the last week of your detox diet, do a total cleanse, remove all remaining sugars, including fruit, starchy vegetables (like sweet potatoes, carrots), and sweetened beverages (even the ones with more natural sugars).

WEEKS 5–6: Remain on detox diet for two weeks. Help your body to a master cleanse by drinking several cups daily of the classic Chinese cleanse: one cup of water with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, W teaspoon of ginger, and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, sweetened with Stevia, if needed.

The unfortunate reality is that this detox diet is liable to cause a few withdrawal symptoms like constipation, fatigue, irritability and nausea. These symptoms are actually a good sign that you are detoxing sugar. They mean your body and mind are eliminating stored toxins for total detox and are finding their way to balance once more. These symptoms of detoxification usually disappear after three or four days.

Here are some tips gathered from detox centers:

1. Detox your body by drinking at least six to eight glasses of filtered water daily.

2. If you are tired, allow more time for sleep.

3. Dual cleanse by doing exercise daily, and to help fight off fatigue.

4. If you are hungry, detox diet does not prohibit some protein in the afternoon such as cooked beans or a piece of steamed or baked fish.

5. If you’re irritable or have trouble sleeping, take a combination of calcium citrate (500 mg) and magnesium citrate (250 mg) before bed for body cleansing.

6. If you have an upset stomach, drink ginger or peppermint tea up to four cups a day as for a natural cleanse.

With the detox diet, your body will fee super cleansed especially if you are consistent with proper eating habits and sugar intake.