What happens when you give up sugar? Would you do it? Here’s a tale about one family’s experience.
We didn’t start out with a specific plan or printed charts. It was one of those casual dinner chats where someone said, “What if we just… stopped eating sugar for a bit?” Next thing you know, the treat cupboard was being cleared out. The kids were wide-eyed. My partner looked mildly horrified. I immediately thought about my afternoon biscuits. But we were all in.
THE MOOD SWINGS ARE REAL
I won’t sugar-coat it. The first few days were tough. It wasn’t just craving sweets every five minutes. Sugar is sly. It’s in pasta sauce, crackers, and even snacks labelled “healthy.” The kids were moody. I was sharper than usual by mid-morning. Still, we kept going. We swapped out cereal for porridge with cinnamon and stewed apples. Midweek baking became banana bread sweetened with dates. Eventually, the edges softened, and everyone settled a bit.
THE ENERGY LEVELS SURPRISED US
By the second week, things shifted. We weren’t dragging by 2 p.m. I usually dip after lunch, but suddenly, that just wasn’t happening. The kids were more settled at night, and we were all sleeping better. Fewer tantrums cropped up, and long stretches of calm play became more common. It felt like a gentle adjustment across the board. It is not a sugar high; it is just steadier energy that carries us through the day.
MEAL PLANNING THAT WORKS
With sugar out, we had to think more carefully about what we were actually eating, especially during the weekday chaos. I began planning dinner with more intention, and snacks became real food, not packets. Think toast with almond butter, apple slices, plain popcorn, and boiled eggs. It was not fancy, but it worked. We also had more family meals around the table, which were not always peaceful, but together.
WE BECAME CURIOUS ABOUT THE BIGGER PICTURE
Around the third week, we started checking in with each other more. Not just “How’s your stomach?” but “How do you feel today?” We realised sugar had quietly become a go-to for comfort or distraction. Often, it was just something to do. Before we started, we ensured we were all in a good physical state, thanks to some handy health check packages.
WHAT WE MISSED (AND WHAT WE DIDN’T)
We missed birthday cake. One of the kids had a party, and we turned up with fruit skewers while everyone else enjoyed slices of buttercream-covered fun. No one loved it. But no one begged for more either. What didn’t we miss? The crashes. That foggy, slow feeling after a “quick” treat. Or the habit of reaching for snacks we didn’t really enjoy.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW
We didn’t bring sugar back with a big splash. It eased in gently. A homemade scone now and then. A square of dark chocolate after dinner. But our mindset had shifted. We enjoyed sweet things more, and we were okay with having them sometimes, but not all the time.
I suggest trying a sugar-free month as a family if you’re wondering. Not because you need a major fix, but because it makes you notice. What you’re eating. How do you feel? And what are you looking for when you open the cupboard next?
