Maybe you’re not quite ready to go cold turkey and detox from sugar.
It’s OK.
I’m a big advocate for taking those baby steps and working one step at a time towards your big goals. When we can have small successes, we build momentum and motivation that carry us into making bigger changes. So, start small. Go slow. Set yourself up for success.
Often it’s easier to focus on adding something new into your life instead of removing something as huge as sugar.
Did you know that there are certain foods that you can add in that will actually support and help your body metabolize and flush out sugar on a daily basis?
So even if you are still eating sugar on a daily basis, you can support your body along the way.
It’s important for me to note that this is not a real solution to finding sugar freedom. For that you DO need to detox from sugar and take at least 4 weeks without it. That said, this is a GREAT step in the right direction. A great baby step!
These are my top favorite real foods that will help your body detox from sugar on a daily basis.
1. Beets
Beets are powerhouses when it comes to helping support your liver. Since the liver is the first place that sugar goes in our body, it’s important to support it’s health as much as possible. My favorite way to enjoy beets is roasted on salads or in smoothies.
Check out this recipe for Walnut & Feta Beet Salad.
2. Leafy greens
We’ve been hearing for quite some time now how beneficial it is to include a variety of leafy greens in our daily diet and it’s for a good reason. Leafy greens are loaded with vitamins and minerals that help support many functions in the body, especially detoxification. It’s important to rotate your greens (ie don’t only eat spinach every day) and to purchase organic when possible to benefit the most from their properties. My favorite way to enjoy greens is in fresh salads, soups, and green smoothies.
Check out these smoothie recipes.
3. Cruciferous Vegetables
These vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, and bok choy. They contain special compounds that help your liver convert toxins into something that your body can flush out easily. It’s important to look for organic as many of these vegetables have some of the highest pesticide use which will only harm your liver instead of supporting it. My favorite ways to eat these vegetables are roasted, lightly steamed, or in soups.
4. Raw garlic
Yes, please! There was a time just a few short months ago where I ate 3 cloves of raw garlic a day for 2 weeks as an alternative to taking harmful antibiotics. I became that girl that smelled like garlic. That was a fun experience!
Garlic is amazing for overall health and in particular for supporting your body’s natural detox processes. It’s important to search out organic and local if possible and also to keep in mind that the fresher the better. The longer crushed garlic sits, the less powerful it becomes. My absolute favorite way to enjoy fresh garlic is in salad dressings, guacamole, and hummus.
5. Avocados
Another powerhouse in the detox category. Believe it or not, our body needs fat to live and it’s a vital component of our body’s detoxification process (among other processes). Don’t shy away from healthy fats. Eat your avocados. My favorite ways to enjoy avocados are with eggs in the morning, in smoothies, and in fresh guacamole.
Check out my Easy Peasy Guacamole recipe here
6. Lemons
I’m sure you’re well aware of the amazing power of lemons by now. Lemons help stimulate the juices in our body that are necessary for flushing out toxins. A warm glass of water with a squeeze of lemon first thing in the morning can also aid in supporting good digestion and hydration. My favorite way to enjoy lemon is in fresh salad dressing and smoothies.
7. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Another healthy fat to include in your diet. It’s no wonder the Italians are so healthy despite all the pasta and wine they enjoy. High quality organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is loaded with detox supporting fats. Have you ever looked up a liver cleanse and noticed it calls for drinking olive oil with juice to flush out? It’s for a reason!
An important note that olive oil should not be used for cooking or at high temperatures. The healthy fats within the olive oil are easily damaged and can turn rancid if exposed to heat and light. My favorite ways to enjoy olive oil are in hummus, drizzled on veggies, and in salad dressings.
Check out my recipe for Creamy Garlic Tahini Dressing here.
8. Green Tea
The perfect way to stay hydrated and help your body detox. High-quality green tea is loaded with antioxidants that support your liver, and whole body, in detoxing from things like sugar. It’s also a great solution to curb sugar cravings and balancing blood sugars.
9. Walnuts
Aside from being delicious, walnuts are magic when it comes to supporting our health. Their higher content of Omega 3 fats helps support brain function as well as liver detoxification. It’s important to remember that because of these delicate fats, walnuts should be stored in a cool place and consumed raw whenever possible. My favorite ways to enjoy walnuts are on salads or my homemade nut mix.
If this list overwhelms you, start slow.
Take a deep breath.
Choose 1-2 of these to add to your diet today.
Build from there.
Remember, baby steps.