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The Sugar Cleanse Challenge Invite

January 24, 2012 by KimiHarris 315 Comments

Thanks for stopping by! If you're interested in healthy eating check out my free gifts! and subscribe to get regular email updates. *Some links may be affiliate.*
Thanks for stopping by! If you're interested in healthy eating check out my free gifts! and subscribe to get regular email updates. *Some links may be affiliate.*

(Read the updates below!)

Was one of your New Year Resolutions to cut back on sugar? Have you been meaning to cut back on desserts or wean yourself off of refined foods? Do you feel that you are too addicted to even naturally sweetened foods? Well, the Sugar Cleanse Challenge might be just the thing for you!

For the last couple of years, I’ve done a sugar-free challenge, inviting you to join in cutting on refined sugar and flour, and, for those who feel they need it, even unrefined sugar. It’s been a community project with accountability and support from those doing the challenge with you.

This year the sugar cleanse was a little late in coming because of some scheduling conflicts (that is, I was trying not to schedule it when we were on vacation). If I am honest, perhaps there was just a little hesitation on my part as well. After the holiday sweets, I remembered that I do indeed like sweets! But it’s time. Both my five year old and I need a break from sweets, even naturally sweetened ones. Maybe you are in the same boat as us. In fact, several of you mentioned to me this last week that you needed to cut back on sweets!

So what is the Sugar Cleanse Challenge? Here’s the plan. For 2 weeks (just 2, mind you), we will be all giving up all forms of refined sugar and white flour. Some can choose to give up all sweeteners, others to limit it. Here are the categories.

Category 1: No refined sugar or flour (this includes white flour, white sugar, corn syrup and agave syrup)
Category 2: 2 teaspoons at a time (no more!), up to 2 tablespoons per day. (Read about the 2 teaspoon rule here)
Category 3: No sweeteners of any kind. Cutting out fruit or stevia is not required, but can be cut, if desired.

If you have any health issues related to yeast, two weeks will not be enough to heal you. However, doing the two week challenge successfully will get you started in the right direction. For me, I find that if I strictly adhere to the no sweet rule for two weeks, my taste buds adjust and I no longer crave sweets in the same way. That means that I find doing a two week challenge helpful for long term results. I am going to be giving information, encouragement, and resources for the challenge. Meanwhile, if you’d like a little push to do the challenge, read this article, Is Sugar Toxic?

For inspiration, read how taking out refined sweets changed one woman’s life. You can read other encouraging stories here.

Stay tuned for more resources, and when you are ready to join the challenge, sign up by leaving a comment below saying what category you are committing too.

Sugar Cleanse Challenge
1. Kimi Category 3
2. Elena-Category 3
3.Michele-Category 3
4. Jenny ~ Category 3
5. Flo Makanai-Category 3
6. Jessica G.
7. fern-Category 3
8. Tonya Scarborough-Category 2
9. Keri -Category 3
10. Kim and daughters-Cat 3
11. Cait-Cat 2
12. Shiloh-Cat. 2
13. Shannon-Cat. 1
14. Sarah-Cat 1
15. Jennifer-Cat 1
16. Allison-Cat 3
17. Laura-Cat 2
18. Ki Vick-Cat 2
19. Bethany@ Grafted Vine-Cat 3
20. Aneta-Cat 2
21. Katie Ellen@ A Humble Harvest-Cat 3
22. Dani-Cat 3
23. Stephanie R.-Cat 1
24. Nancy-Cat 2
25. Amy-Cat 2
26. Brooke-Cat 2
27. Allison-Cat 1
28. Kelly Powers-Cat 2
29. Jen-Cat 2
30. Amber-Cat 3
31. Christina-Cat 2
32. Jane-Cat 3
33. Vanessa-Cat 3
34. hillary-Cat 3
35. Betsy- Cat 2
36. Nicola-Cat 2
37. Liz-Cat 1
38. jacqui-Cat 3
39. Leigh-Cat 2
40. Wendy-Cat 2
41: Meghan-Cat 1
42: Sarah Jess-Cat 2
43: Karen B.-Cat 1
44: Pat-Cat 3
45: Jean-Cat 3
46: Amy M-Cat 3
47: Janina-Cat 1
48: stephanie-Cat 3
49: Shanna: Cat 2
50: Amy Carter-Cat 3
51: Lisa-Cat 2
52: sammiejo-Cat 2
53: Kathy Thierry-Cat 3
54: Daisy-Cat 1
55: Christina-Cat 3
56: Jenny Odegard-Cat 3
57: Meghann Milton-Cat 2
58: Beverly-Cat 3
59: Elisabeth-Cat 3
60: Kristi Cooke-2 1/2
61: Kelly R.-Cat 3
62: Ann Q.-Cat 3
63: Jenn Best-Cat 1
64: Jen B-Cat 3
65: Emi-Cat 1
66: Kei- Cat 2
67: xtina-Cat 2.5
68: Elena-Cat 3
69: Ruth Avery-Cat 2
70: Mellow-Cat 2
71: Sharon-Cat 2
72: Esther-Cat 2
73: Rebecca-Cat 3
74: Nance-Cat 3
75: Vikki Kay-Cat 3
76: Jennie-Cat 3
77:Kellie-Cat 2
78: andreab-Cat 2
79: Emily-Category 3
80: Renee-Cat 2
81: Celena-Cat 2
82: Tania Berg-Cat 3
83: Jamie-Cat 2
84: Katie @ Mexican Wildflower-Cat 2
85: jani-Cat 1
86: Emily-Cat 3
87: Jen C-Cat 3
88: Kathy-Cat 3
89: Sharon-Cat 2
90: Amanda-Cat 1
91: Becky-Cat 2
92: Sarah Laughlin-Cat 1
93: Stephanie-Cat 3
94: Naomi – category 2
95: Stephanie Marchbanks-Cat 2 1/2
96: Tonya Daniels-Cat 2
97: Sheila-Cat 2
98: Stephanie-Cat 1
99: Judee @ Gluten Free A-Z-Cat 1
100: Sara- Cat 3
101: Lauren-2 1/2
102: Colleen -Category 1
103: Giselle-Cat 3
104: Sharon-Cat 2
105: Jess-Cat 3
106: Andrea-Cat 2
107: Teresa-Cat 1
108: Kimberly-Cat 1
109: Ami-Cat 3
110: Jaime-Cat 1
111: Anne-Cat 2
112: cindy-Cat 2
113: Jessie-Cat 1
114: Rachel-Cat 2
115: Leala-Cat 2
116: Sarah-Cat 2
117: Meredith-Cat 1
118: Sarah C-Cat 2
119:Marliss Bombardier-Cat 1
120:Nicole Blackmon-Cat 3
121:lisa-Cat 1
122:Angela Kuhn-Cat 3
123:Hilary-Cat 2
124:Jacquie Olsen-Cat 3
125:Melody-Cat 2
126:Olga-Cat 2
127: Lechau-Cat 3
128:Melissa-Cat 1
129:april-Cat 3
130:Maria-Cat 2
131:Alicia-Cat 2
132:Holly-Cat 3
133:Shawnee Scott-Cat 1
134:Julie-Cat 2
135: Kristy-Cat 1
136: kris-cat 2
137: Rebecca-Cat 1
138: Amber-Cat 3
139: AndreaKJ-Cat 3
140: Raquel-Cat 1
141: Kristen-Cat 2
142:Carrie-Cat 2
143: Beth P-Cat 2
144: Martie – Cat 2
145: Denise-Cat 3
146: Juliet- Combo of Cat 1-2
147: Cat-Cat 2
148: Ashley Knight-Cat 1
149: Khandhi-Cat 2
150: Rhonda-Cat 1
151: Laura-Cat 3
152: Kate S-cat 2
153: Carol Harris-Cat 3
154: Gail-Cat 3
155: Rebecca Marchbanks: Cat 2
156: Anne-Cat 3
157: Gretta: Cat 1
158: Valentia-Cat 3
159: Amy-Cat 1
160: Natalia-Cat 1
161: BetsyB-Cat 1
162: Jessica langley-Cat 2
163: managersam-cat 2
164: Susan-cat1
165: Laurie R.- cat 1
166: Karen- Cat 3
167: Tanis- cat 2
168: Aubrey-cat 2
169: Shelly-cat 2
170: Barb- cat 2
171: Ash Bak- cat 2
172: Carolyn-cat 1
173: Karrie- cat 1
174: Jennifer- cat 1
175: Sherrie- cat 3
176: Kelli- cat 3
177: Jill Ward- cat 3
178: Kelly- cat 1
179: Jennifer Burns- cat 1
180: Theresa- cat 3
181: birgitte- cat 3
182: Karen Kwiatkowski- cat 2
183: Mara Lightwood- cat 2
184: Lea H @ Nourishing Treasures- cat 2
185: Natalie – cat 3
186: Celeste- cat 2
187: Amy M.- cat 1
188: Cindy- cat 3
189: Oly- cat 2
190: Anna- cat 1
191: Karen Ferris- cat 3
192: Dawn- cat 2
193: taylor kelch- cat 1
194: Laur- cat 1
195: Monique- cat 3
196: Teresa- cat 2
197: Valerie- cat 1
198: Sarah W- cat 2

Your turn now! Who wants to join us?

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KimiHarris

I love beautiful and simple food that is nourishing to the body and the soul. I wrote Fresh: Nourishing Salads for All Seasons and Ladled: Nourishing Soups for All Seasons as another outlet of sharing this love of mine. I also love sharing practical tips on how to make a real food diet work on a real life budget. Find me online elsewhere by clicking on the icons below!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brandy

    February 1, 2012 at 12:12 pm

    This is great as my family and I have been weaning off of sugar for the past month. This month its no sugar! Sign me up for Category 3 please!

    Reply
  2. kirsteen

    February 1, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    cat 2 please!

    Reply
  3. City Share

    February 1, 2012 at 5:29 pm

    This is great! We have been cutting out sugar, flour and grains for a few days and planning to continue for a while. We are happy to join you. Put us down for category 3 please.

    Reply
  4. Rachel L

    February 1, 2012 at 7:02 pm

    I’m going to do cat 1. Started out really well last week, then caved. Attempt #2!

    Reply
  5. Rafael

    February 1, 2012 at 9:51 pm

    Yes! I will join the challenge starting Monday, Feb 6. I haven’t the discipline to resist the Superbowl fare. 🙂

    Reply
  6. nickyb

    February 1, 2012 at 10:58 pm

    Hi Kimi – I’d love to join – late! Category 3 for me too please. thanks, Nicky

    Reply
    • Stephanie

      February 2, 2012 at 6:01 am

      I’d love to join-category 1. Thanks!

      Reply
  7. heidi

    February 2, 2012 at 12:18 am

    I don’t understand the different categories. In cat 2 & 3 are you allowed refined flour? I want to sign up, I’m thinking category 2, but not sure if I’m allowed the refined flour or not.

    Reply
    • KimiHarris

      February 3, 2012 at 12:30 pm

      Hey Heidi,

      No refined flour on any of the categories. 🙂 Each category builds on the other, so category 2 goes a step further, and then category 3, another step further. Does that make sense?

      Reply
  8. Kathy

    February 2, 2012 at 1:46 am

    I’m in!! Category 1 🙂

    Reply
  9. Brianne

    February 2, 2012 at 6:39 am

    Category 3 for me please!

    Reply
  10. Carol

    February 3, 2012 at 3:33 am

    yes – catagory 1

    Reply
  11. beth

    February 3, 2012 at 3:46 pm

    it’s a little (or a lot) late, but i’m joining in on category 2!

    Reply
  12. Naomi

    February 8, 2012 at 2:08 pm

    My hubby and I joined in on Sunday (Feb 5)
    We’re going for a month at least.

    Reply
  13. SR

    February 10, 2012 at 9:07 am

    I’m just quitting sugar, can’t imagine quitting bread just yet. A question though, am I allowed natural sweeteners; honey, sugar cane, fruits… etc? Thanks!

    Reply
  14. Andrea

    February 11, 2012 at 6:03 pm

    I am so glad I found this page :). I’m going for catagory 3!!

    Reply
  15. Erica

    February 14, 2012 at 11:06 pm

    Here I go again. I’m start really well for about 10 days and then I cave a bit (which turns into an all out eat-nothing-but-sweet-sugary-foods binge!) I really have a hard time cutting back or out. I think I need to do an all-or-nothing approach. Moderation is too hard.

    Reply
  16. Cat

    February 15, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    Oh, it was a #fail for me! It was the dark chocolate that did me in. But I’m not giving up on this. I know I’m going to keep weaning myself off of refined sugar, white flour, etc. The culture keeps pulling me one way, and I keep backing away from it. Because sugar is all around us all the time, it becomes about saying No a lot (which is no fun); so we have to make sure we have healthy alternatives around us that we can say Yes to!

    Reply
  17. iliana

    July 9, 2012 at 3:38 am

    im join in !! category 3!

    Reply
  18. Kristen

    September 13, 2012 at 2:10 am

    Kristen cat-1

    Reply
  19. abigail

    October 9, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    i really have a bad sweet tooth that needs to go

    Reply
  20. Danielle

    October 27, 2012 at 10:34 am

    category 1 for me please

    Reply
  21. maddie

    November 6, 2012 at 5:41 pm

    category 3!

    Reply
  22. Chanclas

    November 25, 2012 at 8:02 pm

    Category – 3

    Reply
  23. Day

    November 25, 2012 at 8:03 pm

    Category – 3

    Reply
  24. stefanie

    December 11, 2012 at 6:20 am

    Category 3

    Reply
  25. stefanie

    December 11, 2012 at 6:22 am

    I just have a question. This may sound stupid but if I am not eating sugar or flour for two weeks…. what do I eat?

    Reply
  26. Casey

    December 21, 2012 at 8:56 am

    Category 1

    Reply
  27. Maureen-category 3

    December 25, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    This is great!

    Reply
  28. Kisha

    January 3, 2013 at 4:15 pm

    Category 1. I found this article by Googling “what happens if I cut sugar from my diet”. Just on a whim, I cut sugar three days ago, so this challenge will be interesting.

    Reply
  29. Justin Michael

    January 6, 2013 at 11:53 am

    199. Justin M – cat 3

    Reply
  30. Rachel

    January 8, 2013 at 6:55 pm

    Just happened onto this site, but I’ve been doing category 3 for 8 days now!

    Reply
  31. Gina

    January 18, 2013 at 8:31 am

    Count me in for Category 3! I would love to do this challenge.

    Reply
  32. Susan

    January 25, 2013 at 11:46 am

    Category 1 – count me in!

    Reply
  33. Gillian

    January 26, 2013 at 2:33 am

    Cat 3 please

    Reply
  34. Catherine

    January 28, 2013 at 6:59 pm

    Category 1!

    Reply
  35. apollo11

    February 1, 2013 at 5:30 pm

    Count me in – category 1 for now!

    Reply
  36. Coral White

    February 4, 2013 at 5:49 pm

    I’d like Category 3 please 🙂

    Reply
  37. Anna

    February 11, 2013 at 3:12 pm

    Cat 1

    Reply
  38. Danyelle P.

    February 13, 2013 at 8:26 pm

    Catagory 3

    Reply
  39. Angie G

    March 4, 2013 at 6:31 pm

    Angie G – Cat 3

    Reply
  40. Lisa B

    March 7, 2013 at 9:10 am

    I’d like to join category 1. Is it too late?

    Reply
  41. Apryl

    April 7, 2013 at 7:53 pm

    Cat 2

    Reply
  42. melissa

    August 28, 2013 at 10:55 pm

    cat 3!

    Reply
  43. Donna Quintal

    January 3, 2014 at 8:13 pm

    Cat 3 starting Monday January 6th 2014 here’s to feeling the new me healthy will be my new goal and overall just less aches and pains and depression is an added bonus Fifty and fabulous by August

    Reply
  44. Margaret

    January 19, 2014 at 11:22 am

    Margaret cat 1

    Reply
  45. lexi b

    April 12, 2014 at 6:56 am

    Category 2

    Reply
« Older Comments

Trackbacks

  1. Thoughts on sugar: Should it be regulated? Fructose linked to cancer and sugar to a wealth of health issues says:
    February 1, 2012 at 2:00 pm

    […] is everyone doing on the sugar cleanse? (It’s not too late to join us, by the way!) Keep in mind that the first 3 days are the worst. […]

    Reply
  2. “Eat honey, for it is good” says:
    February 8, 2012 at 9:07 am

    […] are some of the questions I have had during this sugar cleanse. When you have an overgrowth of yeast in your body, it will crave and demand that you eat sugar to […]

    Reply

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