11 Ways To Go On A Sugar-free Diet Plan

1. Eat More Of Fibre

Fibre is necessary when you are on a sugar-free diet. The reason is when fibre passes through the digestive system in the stomach, it takes the toxins, waste, and fat particles out of the gut. Foods which are high in fibre are berries, lentils, chia seeds, quinoa, oranges, apples, pears, etc.

RELATED: 20 Fibre-rich Indian Foods For Weight Loss

2. Foods To Include

Include fresh vegetables and fruits such as lean meats, whole grains, low-fat dairy, seafood, nuts and seeds. Fruits contain natural sugars, nutrients and fibre. They are a much healthier alternative than foods with added sugar. Opt for dairy products that contain natural sugars and avoid flavoured dairy products with added sugars.

3. Foods To Avoid

Avoid processed foods such as sugar sweeteners, soft drinks, sweetened dairy products and sweetened grain products. Discarding processed foods and opting for whole foods whenever possible can make meal planning on a sugar-free diet significantly easier.

4. Cut Down On The Desserts

If you are on a sugar-free diet, then you need to abstain from candy, cookies, ice cream, brownies, cakes, maple syrup, cane sugar, etc. It is preferred to eat yoghurt or fruit salad without sugar to curb your cravings.

5. Beware Of Hidden Sugar Sources

There are many processed foods out there that contain added sugars in them. For example ketchup, barbecue sauce, marinades, salad dressings and pasta sauces. Other foods that contain added sugars are cereals, granola bars, flavoured yoghurt, etc.

6. Fruit Juice Is Unhealthy

Yes, fruit juices that are found in supermarkets are often perceived as healthy, but it's not. Even if the fruit juice package reads 100 percent pure, it is still a processed food, which is loaded with additional sugars. Fruit juices are just another sugary drinks that are unhealthy. Opt for whole fruits instead.

7. Sugar-free Diet Breakfast

For breakfast, you can prefer an egg omelette or a scrambled egg with spinach and tomatoes and serve it with a slice of whole-grain toast and half an orange. You will get all the necessary nutrients at one go.

8. Sugar-free Diet Lunch

At lunchtime, you can pack freshly tossed greens topped with sliced vegetables of all different colours with lean chicken breast or beans and an ounce of crushed walnuts. You can even have a slice of your favourite fruit to curb your sugar craving.

9. Sugar-free Dinner

For dinner, you can always go light, so you can have salads dressed with olive oil and vinegar instead of salad dressings. You can also pair a serving of salmon or tuna with brown rice and some stir-fried broccoli. For a sweet finish, you can have plain yoghurt with fresh berries.

10. Avoid Foods With White Flour

Foods that contain flour are unhealthy because they are digested quickly and the sugars are absorbed into your blood, leading to blood sugar spikes and fluctuations in energy. Cut out on the baked goods made with refined flour - like white bread and white pasta.

11. Eat More Of Healthy Fats

Healthy fats, or good fats, are unrefined animal fats, fats from fish and selected fats from plant-based foods. Include healthy fats such as avocados, olive, nuts, butter, coconut oil, etc., that have a higher proportion of monounsaturated fats.