It’s not too late to start a healthy New Year resolution by doing a sugar detox. In a sugar detox, you cut out added sugars from your diet. That means no more sugar in your tea or coffee, no candy between breaks or donuts for breakfast, etc. If the sugar you’re eating comes from anywhere besides fruit or lactose, skip it.

This may seem easy to some, but if you’re a sugarholic, this will require some rewiring. Luckily, essential oils can offer a little help in overcoming any sweet tooth. At Edens Garden, we’ve curated some of the best oils to use while doing a sugar detox. Read on to discover how to kick your sweet tooth naturally. 

Health Benefits of Quitting Sugar

The health complications that come with eating too much sugar are staggering. In fact, over the past 30 years, Americans have consistently added more sugar to their diets, which has become a major cause of obesity. One doctor even went as far as to say that consuming too much sugar is on the same level as smoking cigarettes.

On the flipside, quitting sugar has extensive benefits, including:

• Healthier weight

• Lower cholesterol

• Lower risk of heart problems

• Improved diet

• Healthier teeth

• Lower risk of disease
  
  

Ways to Avoid Sugar

While sugar is found most abundantly in candies, sodas and desserts it’s also commonly found in store-bought sauces, soups, bread, prepared foods and yogurt. To begin your detox, start reading the nutritional labels on foods prior to purchasing them, and opt for low to sugar-free foods. 

And while you’re reviewing nutritional labels, it’s important to recognize other names for sugar. These include:

• Cane sugar

• Evaporated cane juice

• High-fructose corn syrup

• Corn syrup

• Coconut palm sugar

• Raw sugar

• Dextrose 

• Agave

• Barley malt syrup

Should natural sugars found in fruits and lactose be avoided as well on a detox? The body metabolizes natural sugars much slower than refined sugars, which provides more steady energy and a feeling of being full, longer. However, once natural and refined sugar reaches the intestines, the body treats the sugar equally and turns it into fat or glycogen. Fruits and lactose can also be a part of a well-balanced, healthy diet as they come with additional vitamins and minerals. So the choice is yours on whether to consume or not to consume during your sugar detox.

One popular way of supplementing sugar is using sweeteners such as stevia. While stevia is often touted as a natural and healthier choice than regular sugar, it is often highly refined and does not lead to lower calorie intake, body weight or risk of diabetes. In other words, if you’re looking to detox sugar for health reasons, you may as well leave out commercial stevia as well. 

Another way to avoid sugary foods and drinks is by eating more unprocessed, whole foods and drinking plenty of water. Opt for leafy greens, nuts, colorful veggies, whole grains, fish and legumes. With time and commitment to your new diet, you begin to feel a difference in energy and focus. 

Best Essential Oils for A Sugar Detox

Need a helping hand with cutting sugar out of your diet? These supportive essential oils for detox are here to help

Grapefruit

Citruses, in general, produce a filling effect when inhaled. Grapefruit is often touted as being one of the best oils for overcoming sweet cravings, and when combined with Bergamot and Lemon, this synergy of oils is sure to put a stop to your sweet tooth. Try diffusing throughout the day in the Ceramic Ultrasonic Diffuser.

Peppermint

Much like citrus, Peppermint may cause you to feel full when inhaled. Its minty fresh aroma can also help divert one’s attention from their cravings elsewhere. Add to a personal inhaler and sniff when you need a lift.

Worry Less

Diets and detoxes can often make one anxious and stressed out, which is why a calming synergy blend like Worry Less is necessary. With the help of Vetiver, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Frankincense, Clary Sage, Sweet Marjoram, Cistus and Spearmint, these soothing oils are sure to help you kick your sugar cravings goodbye. Add 6 drops to one ounce of carrier oil than to a warm bath, and allow thoughts of sweets to melt away.  

Head Ease

If you’re a major sugarholic, you may go through withdrawal-like symptoms after quitting, including headache.[3] Thankfully, Head Ease’s soothing aroma can reduce the feeling of tension. And if you’re looking for even more headache helpers, our blog offers a wealth of information on our favorite essential oils to loosen the grip of the dreaded migraine.

Need Support? We’re Here to Help

Whether you need additional advice on using essential oils to quit sugar, or have an aromatherapy-related question, our customer care team and aromatherapists are here to lend a hand. Simply reach out to us via email or send us a message through our various social media platforms and we’ll assist you as promptly as possible. We look forward to hearing from you.   

*This article has been updated January 2021

Sources:

1. “What Happens When You Cut Out Added Sugar?” WebMD, www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-effects-cut-added-sugar.
2. Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) Comprehensive Cancer Care Network. “Natural vs. Refined Sugars: What’s the Difference?” Cancer Treatment Centers of America, 9 Aug. 2016, www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2016/08/natural-vs-refined-sugars-what-is-the-difference.
3. “Tips to Find and Avoid Your Migraine Triggers.” WebMD, www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/avoiding-migraine-triggers#2.

Also, check on our essential oils to boost metabolism.