(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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Michele
Category 3
Jenny ~ Catagory 3
Thank You! Happy New Year!
Flo Makanai
Great idea! Been doing it, categ 3, for the past 18 days, I feel like I’ve regained all my energy!
Flo Makanai
But I’ll join you with pleasure, because it’s getting a little hard to keep sweets away…
Jessica G.
I’d love to. I just started Gaps a couple days ago, but i have major yeast issues and a weakness for all sweet things. I’m not sure what category yet…1 or 2, although Flo’s comment is very motivating to just go for #3!
fern
#3!
I have been sugar and grain free for 3 weeks, actually 3 days ago I ate some organic sugar in cookie form. I didn’t feel great. I would love the motivation to keep it up long term
Tonya Scarborough
I’ll join – level 2.
Keri
I’m in! I’ve been cutting out sugar for a few weeks while having a little stevia here and there to sweeten my morning tea. I will stop the stevia, too! Let’s do it! Category 3 🙂
Kim
My two daughters and I have been doing a level two since January 1st. I think we’ll do a level 3 for the next two weeks. Thanks for the incentive. 🙂
cait
I’m going to do category #2. I’ve been needed a boost to get started cutting out sugar and refined flour!
Shiloh
I’m definitely in! Category 1 for me. I’ve done 40 days before, and it is definitely one of the best things I’ve ever done for my body. I was actually already planning to do a detox soon on my own, and then…. along came this post like you read my mind!
<3
Shiloh
Actually, I’ll be doing more of a Category 2. I may put honey in my coffee, but I don’t intend to have any sweeteners besides that.
Shannon
I will do catergory 1 – no flour or sweetners of any kinds. I did it for 4 months this summer but feel off the wagon at Christmas. I have been wanting to get back at it again so this is the perfect way.
Sarah
After doing somewhat of a Daniel Fast for two weeks at the beginning of the month I’ve noticed that I don’t feel very good and/or have increased digestion problems after eating sugar. I was just thinking about cutting back on sugar when I saw this so it’s perfect timing. I’m going with category 1!
Jennifer
I will start with category 1. I am terribly addicted to sugars, flour, and crackers are my downfall. I always drop in energy around 3:00 in the afternoon and am pretty useless until about 5:00. I notice that if I eat an egg for breakfast, instead of toast or a waffle, I don’t feel as sluggish, so something’s going on sugar wise in my body. Hoping this will help.
Allison
category 3!
Laura
I’m in for category 2. Might even go in for 3category when Lent rolls around. I’m not rligious, but why miss a great opportunity? 🙂
Ki Vick
I’m in! I’ll do Stage 2… Going to be going for Stage 3, but I’ll commit to Stage 2 to not feel horrible if I need some honey now and again!
Ki Vick
Although, I do have to ask: what about kombucha? I use sugar for my kombucha, but I do let it ferment for quite a while and there is not really any sweetness left…
KimiHarris
If it’s well fermented, I think it should be fine. But your call in the end. 😉
Bethany@ Grafted Vine
I’ll do a level 3, but I will still eat fruit 🙂 I’m preggers and need the potassium right now from bananas and strawberries.
Aneta
I’m in at a Level 2. I’ve been cutting back on sugar quite a bit, but dark chocolate is my downfall. ;(
Katie Ellen@ A Humble Harvest
Category 3 🙂
Dani
I’m going with category 3, but I started this week because I saw the return of some health issues after the excesses of December. I might transition to category 2 before Valentine’s though if I’m feeling better.
Stephanie R.
Category One! Game on 2012!
Nancy
I’m in… I want to say Category 3, but I’m going to commit to category 2. It’s all about the morning coffee….
Amy
I have been doing category 1 since the first of the month but I will go for category 2.
Brooke
I just found your site and this is perfect timing! I’ve done detoxes in the past with great results but have fallen off the wagon as of late. The holidays were tough : ) Category 2 for me since I’m pregnant and could benefit from the positives of fruit.
Allison
Count me in for Category 1! I am trying to make this a normal part of our diets!
Kelly Powers
Category 2!! Thank you for this opportunity and for everyone’s support. When does it start?
KimiHarris
Next Monday! The dates are in the picture in the post. I should have made that more clear. 🙂
Jen
I’ll do Category 2. Been avoiding sweets for the most part, but I went a little nuts at a conference where there were lots of sweets available and not much healthy food. Reminded me that eating sugar causes joint pain for me – detoxing since yesterday!
Amber
I’m really in need of this!
Amber
I’m really in need of this! Category 3.
Pru
Hi Kim,
Sounds like a great challenge. I just have a question, I am pregnant and I am concerned about sending my body into some kind of detox that is not healthy. Any suggestions on what might work best for someone at 25 weeks pregnant? Also thank-you for producing such a great blog!
KimiHarris
Pru, You shouldn’t detox simply by removing refined sugar and flour from your diet, unless your body is really dependent on it. If you are concerned about sending your body into sugar withdrawals, for the first couple of days eat some lightly sweetened desserts made with naturals sweeteners and eat fruit. You can then slowly ease down on those sweets. In other words, take it slow. 🙂
samara
funny, I do this every January! 🙂 Wonder if that’s because I read your blog faithfully…. 🙂
Very true what you said about a couple weeks changing your taste buds back to where they should be 🙂
Elaina and I are doing category 3, mostly but not entirely. Just occasionally, some category 2 slips in 🙂
KimiHarris
🙂
Christina
Thanks, Kimi. I’ll join at level 2. I did this with you last year and it was a big help in cutting out more sugar on a long term basis. Plus I have encouraged others to try it for just a week or two and see how they feel. The first few days are the hardest for me. Last time I got a headache. But after it was gone, I felt so good and had so much more energy.
Sarah
We are already at Stage 1, basically at Stage 2, Stage 3 scares me! So I guess I need to go stage three right!?
KimiHarris
It’s up to you, Sarah! You don’t necessarily have to do stage 3, unless you feel you have a reason for it. 😉
Jane
With Flo Makanai I have been off all sugar, fruit included, for the last 2 1/2 weeks. I lost a couple kilos, feel great and know I won’t go back to eating sugar in large quantities. But the thing I’m wondering about is how long is it necessary to be strictly off to really get it out of the system. I realize two weeks is enough. But for the psychological aspect, stopping the need for sugar, do you think extending the detox helps with that? I know I will start eating fruit again when it’s over. Regardless, sign me up for Category 3, please!
Vanessa
Level 3 with a fruit now and then.
hillary
Category 3!
Betsy
I am going to say Category 2, just to be honest…but I am really going to work toward a 3!
Natalia
I’ve been wanting to do something like this. We are embarking on The New Testament Challenge (basically reading NT in 12 weeks) and I thought this would be good timing. I’m nervous about withdrawal however. I tried doing something like this before and my husband told me I started licking his shoulder in the middle of the night. And I remember looking down at my hand during a baseball game and wanting to eat it because my sugar withdrawal was that bad. Hmmmmm, if anyone has any suggestions, let me know!
KimiHarris
Withdrawals-taking it slow (that is not going to no sweeteners or fruit, just taking out refined sugars) helps. There are also some supplements you can take that can help with cravings. I know I wrote about this topic in the past. I’ll repost it in the next couple of days.
Nicola
I’m another who will commit to category 2 but I’m going to aim for category 3. I do like some raw honey in my porridge.
Liz
I will try category 1. I LOVE sweet things and LOVE to bake and HATE the thought of giving up sugar but know I need to…
jacqui
I would love to do this as well! Category 3.
Leigh
Level 2. Plus I’ll be cutting out all grains – even corn.
Wendy
Category 2–gives me some wiggle room.
Meghan
Meghan – Category 1
Sarah Jess
Commit to 2 – but aim for 3. (no refined grains, but yes some fruit) When do we start? (I will need to purge the house in order to have any chance of success!)
Karen B.
I will commit to Category 1 but will try to do even better. I did this last year and have slightly fell off the wagon. Not too bad but this is a good thing.
Pat
I’ll try 3. See how it goes….