No sugar diet

Has anyone done the 20 day no sugar diet? Does it actually work? I'm trying to lose 10 pounds by April 16th...if you have any suggestions I wouldn't mind hearing it. I've already cut out bread and limited pasta. I also started back at the gym...

Replies

  • MelMaria9009
    MelMaria9009 Posts: 16 Member
    Limiting sugar doesn't guarantee weight loss. Eating at a calorie deficit does. Losing 10lbs by April 16 is unlikely depending on your starting weight and how effectively you count calories and measure your portions. Good luck!

    Thanks, yeah I started yesterday haha I know it's unlikely but I wanted to try haha I'll be happy with just 5 or 6 but I was aiming higher.
  • FreyasRebirth
    FreyasRebirth Posts: 514 Member
    You might lose 5 lbs okay if you have a significant amount to lose but I wouldn't count on 10.
  • FreyasRebirth
    FreyasRebirth Posts: 514 Member
    Also, many things that have "sugar" are much more than their sugar content. Blueberries have almost all of their calories from sugars but they also pack a significant amount of fiber and antioxidants.
  • Hamsibian
    Hamsibian Posts: 1,388 Member
    Are you also talking about fruits and vegetables? Or just added sugar? I only eat some low - moderate carbs fruits and vegetables plus a teaspoon of raw honey a day in tea. Sometimes I'll go wild and have 2 teaspoons though.
  • MelMaria9009
    MelMaria9009 Posts: 16 Member
    You might lose 5 lbs okay if you have a significant amount to lose but I wouldn't count on 10.

    I know, but another thing is I eat a lot of sweets, pasta, and bread. So I figured if I cut most of that out it would help but who knows. At the least it'll help me become healthier in how I eat.
  • MelMaria9009
    MelMaria9009 Posts: 16 Member
    Hamsibian wrote: »
    Are you also talking about fruits and vegetables? Or just added sugar? I only eat some low - moderate carbs fruits and vegetables plus a teaspoon of raw honey a day in tea. Sometimes I'll go wild and have 2 teaspoons though.

    Yes, I'm mostly eating vegetables and fruits just no added sugar. And I eat yogurt for breakfast uaually even before i started...And I only drink water really I should probably start drinking green tea again and maybe add honey.
  • MelMaria9009
    MelMaria9009 Posts: 16 Member
    Also, many things that have "sugar" are much more than their sugar content. Blueberries have almost all of their calories from sugars but they also pack a significant amount of fiber and antioxidants.

    I'm doing no added sugar..
    I'm eating fruits and vegetables mostly I think I would go crazy without fruits especially strawberries banana and blackberries
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    1. A healthy rate of loss is 1-2 pounds per week. Trying to lose 10 pounds in less than 3 weeks is unrealistic and could lead to other issues.

    2. Even the keto diet doesn't claim to be zero sugar, and it's about as close as you can get with an only meat and oil diet. If you want to cut down on sugars that's great, but calories matter more than sugars for weight loss. It might be more useful to shift your focus.

    3. Fruits and veggies are great, but be sure you're getting your minimum fats & protein along the way :flowerforyou:
  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,154 Member
    Hamsibian wrote: »
    Are you also talking about fruits and vegetables? Or just added sugar? I only eat some low - moderate carbs fruits and vegetables plus a teaspoon of raw honey a day in tea. Sometimes I'll go wild and have 2 teaspoons though.

    Yes, I'm mostly eating vegetables and fruits just no added sugar. And I eat yogurt for breakfast uaually even before i started...And I only drink water really I should probably start drinking green tea again and maybe add honey.

    Wouldn't switching from water to tea with honey go totally against your plan to not have sugar? Honey is just another form of sugar.

    Plus you would be going from a zero calorie drink (water) to a drink with calories. IIRC honey is about 16 calories per teaspoon. I love herbal tea with honey. But honey is sugar.
  • Btheodore138
    Btheodore138 Posts: 182 Member
    I recently cut out refined sugar and white flour 6 weeks ago for health reasons. I'm already down 5 lbs and feel a lot better. I still eat carbs and natural sugar from things like berries, apples, and whole wheat...which is more satiating and is probably a contributor to the weight loss.
  • sarochka85
    sarochka85 Posts: 103 Member
    Sugar is fine in moderation. By all means eat less bread, cakes, etc. but no need to get rid of them completely.

    Rapid weight loss is not the aim of the game.
  • TheCupcakeCounter
    TheCupcakeCounter Posts: 606 Member
    I did David Zinczenco's Zero Sugar Diet and the first two weeks are a detox of sorts - no added sugars at all. You will have sugar from whole fruits and veggies that will show up on MFP but all of it is part of a whole, nutritious food source that is good for you. There is a good plan and a ton of food suggestions and recipes which really do make it a lot easier. Now I follow the guidelines and only eat the food if the added sugars are less than the fiber content. I probably did lose about 10 lbs in the first 2 weeks but I was also exercising a bit (mostly walking) and I was eating a TON of junk (2-3 sugary coffees a day, cookies, candy, etc...). I also upped my water and drank a bunch of unsweetened green tea during that time so I am sure at least half the weight I lost was water weight.

    I will second Afura that it really did help with my cravings and now items that I could eat a whole bag of (pb cups) I can barely eat one as they are just too sweet now. A square of good dark chocolate makes me very happy and satisfied.
    My goal was to completely overhaul my eating habits so I did things in stages. During that first two weeks I didn't really pay attention to anything other than added sugar and didn't count calories (although except for salt I think my total calories were down just from not having the creamer, cookies, etc...). After the first week I did start working to make sure my choices were healthier since my initial withdrawal-like symptoms (I did have headaches and irritability day 2-4) were done and I felt more confident that I could do it. After the two weeks I really started working on my calories and in total am down 18+ lbs since mid-January.