If you’re a regular sugar eater, whether the sweeteners are natural or refined, and you are cutting back or going cold-turkey, expect to experience some withdrawal symptoms. But you can overcome!
Our family is in the midst of a 30-day no sugar challenge (Beyond Sugar) and of us all, I believe I’m the one who was most used to a constant drip of sweeteners. It has been some years since we’ve had refined sweeteners. When we first decided to eat healthfully, we didn’t even eat many natural sweeteners (raw honey, maple syrup, etc.). But, over the years, I guess I got complacent by thinking – hey, they’re natural; God made them; we can eat them!
Sweeteners Are Not Food
Well, yes, we can eat natural sweeteners. The trouble is, concentrated sweeteners of any kind should not become a substantial part of a diet. They can’t really be called “food” in the sense that food is supposed to maintain life, support growth, and nourish our bodies. Nope. Sweeteners don’t do that stuff.
Constant Drip of Sweetening
I was at the point where I am/was used to a constant drip of sweetening all day long. For breakfast, I’d have a generous scoop of raw honey on my toast or porridge. Throughout the day, I would drink generously honey-sweetened tea. About midafternoon, I’d grab some dark chocolate. After dinner, we’d all have dark chocolate for a dessert. And if I made muffins or cookies, I’d eat some of that, too.
None of these foods were big offenders. Taken by themselves, quite innocuous. But all day, hour by hour, I feel like I was hooked up to a natural sweetener IV. Can anyone relate?
Tough and Tougher Withdrawal Symptoms
Now this week. It has been tough. Yesterday, the 5th full day of not having any sweeteners, was the first day I did not have a headache. The first two days, I felt nauseous and unwell. I’ve had cravings for sweets all week long. I can hardly keep myself from snatching some chocolate from the freezer. I feel as though the symptoms are abating, though, and I’m glad.
I haven’t seen similar symptoms in the children or my husband. I don’t think they were sweetening up like I was. 
Or maybe the kids are just better at handling it.
If you search on the internet, you’ll find others talking about withdrawal symptoms. If someone is breaking free from an addiction to refined sugars (such as high-fructose corn syrup or white sugar), I gather that the withdrawal can be quite painful, wtih symptoms mimicking the flu – chills, sweats, headaches, aches, pains, nausea, etc.
Strategy To Persevere Through The Withdrawal Period
Since now I’ve been through this, the toughest few days of breaking a sugar-addiction, I’m in a good position to share my strategy and what has worked for me to make it through the hardest period. It’s all downhill from here!
- Prayer. I asked God often to help us enjoy our unsweetened foods for their own sake, and to give me strength to persevere.
- I have kept in the front of my mind why I’m not eating sugar. (See my goals and sugar’s ill health effects.)
- Make a conscious choice every time I put something in my mouth; resist blindly reaching for chocolate without even knowing what I’ve done.
- Exercise
- Rest and relaxtion – I’ve read books, taken naps, enjoyed my children
- Drink plenty of water, Kombucha, and unsweetened tea (or with a little stevia, though I don’t like it too much)
- Make nourishing snack foods to satisfy our hunger and delight our taste buds in new ways – the kids are enjoying the new snacks very much!
Of all those strategies, the first two have been key for me and for us. I’m so happy that my husband and children are on board with this. We’ve got to believe in what we’re doing, or we won’t be able to stick with it. We have a great God who will help us in our time of need. The other strategies are ways to get through the body’s symptoms of feeling unwell from the change. They’re important, too.
Whether you’re cutting back on sweeteners altogether, or cutting back some, please share how you’ve handled such big changes in yourself or with your family members! Change is hard and we all need help and encouragement to persevere in making healthy choices!
This is one of a series of posts during the month of May, during which time the Harmon family has vowed not to consume any sweeteners, natural or refined. We call the challenge “Beyond Sugar” and would love to have you join us, in whatever way you feel led! (Get the button here for your own blog or website.) I shared this post in Fight Back Fridays! at Food Renegade and Cutting Back on Sugar Challenge at Naturally Knocked Up.
About Wardee Harmon
New: 
Two hard 'g's and stress the middle syllable. 
I have experienced the withdrawal symptoms of heroin, cocaine, alcohol and benzodiazepines. Needless to say, they are EXTREMELY unpleasant. Today is my 6th day with zero refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup. I must say that the withdrawal symptoms are FRIGHTENINGLY similar to detoxing from the aforementioned “Hard Drugs.” Severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, depression, irritability, sweating, insomnia, aches and pains and other flu-like symptoms. I was a two to three liter a day Coca Cola drinker and decided I had to quit before I developed Diabetes or any of the many serious illnesses connected to overconsumption of sugar, high fructose corn syrup being the main offender. My skin has broken out a bit but I know that is just my body detoxing. Aside from the pimples I already notice my complexion is brighter and more even. The dark circles under my eyes have started to fade. As lousy as I feel right now I already notice I am more focused, less lethargic and have an increased libido. I know if I stay away from the soda and sweets the withdrawal symtoms will fade completely and the benefits will show more and more. My bowel movements have become much more regular as well. I reccomend drinking as much water as possible, always have water within reach. Exercise, even just a little, no matter how crappy you’re feeling. I’m taking 1,000 mg of vitamin B6 as well as Omega-3s, which are both very good for energy and brain function regardless. I personally don’t reccomend cutting out caffeine at the same time as sugar. Caffeine withdrawal headaches on top of sugar detox was just too much for me. I reccomend tea, hot or iced with plenty of lemon. Remember that caffeine is a diuretic so you will need to ingest even more water. GOOD LUCK! Let’s not forget why we quit and look forward to losing weight, having attractive skin and teeth and most importantly being more active, healthier and happier!
Awesome! I, too, was a drug user & alcohol abuser who found help & hope thru a 12 step program. Im 28 yrs sober thru the grace of God. When I first began attending meetings & struggled to stay sober, I was told to keep a piece of candy, chocolate bar, etc with me at all times for when i got the urge. Well, 28 years later, I was still keeping the candy with me, abusing it like I did the booze. I am on day 31 off the sugar & have a cold & skin acne et all & im over 60!! Like you say, its good cuz I know im detoxing! Best of luck…you can do it, & if you cant, HE can!
Thank You for the kind reply Mardy! Our stories sound very similar. I’m a friend of Bill’s as well and have definitely applied the same tools for overcoming sugar. Congratulations on passing the 30 day mark! They should give you a chip, but not a chocolate chip
Wow! Thank you so much for posting about this. I am currently on a 21 day fast from sweets and unrefined carbs and it has been a tremendous challenge. I am not experiencing any cravings, but the other symptoms are quite challenging. But in the midst of it al. I can feel God strengthening me with His grace and I am so excited about finally experiencing freedom from bondage to food. Thanks again sincerely!
Alma