Low-carb diets are useful for achieving two things: weight loss and stable blood sugar levels.
It just so happens that women, as they age, struggle with these, which is why sugar-free diets are becoming increasingly popular among women.
In this 10 day no carb, no-sugar diet menu plan, we’ll take the time to explain what kind of food you should be eating, what you should avoid, and give you a sample that you can follow for ten days so you can start enjoying the benefits of following a low-carb diet.
What is a No Carb, No Sugar Diet?
As the name suggests, a no-carb, no-sugar diet involves eating as little digestible carbs as possible.
Is it good for your body? We’re taught that our body uses carbohydrates as its primary energy source, and it’s true. This is why our day-to-day diet is typically composed of grains, beans, pasta, bread, and other baked goods that are rich in carbohydrates.
When you go on a low-carb diet, you must minimize your consumption of these types of food, replacing them with healthy fats and protein-rich meals like eggs, cheese, certain types of cooking oil, lean meat, and fatty fish.
However, restricting doesn’t mean completely eliminating them from your diet. Some follow a low-carb diet involving high-fat food containing carbohydrates like avocado, coconut, nuts, seeds, sweet potatoes, and more. But these types of food are unique because they’re unique in fiber, which is crucial for weight management and overall health.
If a low-carb diet looks familiar to you, it’s because it closely resembles a keto diet, which is one of the most popular diets for menopausal women.
Benefits of Following a 10-Day No Carb, No Sugar Diet
The basic principle behind weight loss is to consume fewer calories than what your body burns every day. Lowering your carb intake and replacing it with protein, fiber, and healthy fats can help you lose weight because, unlike carbs, they’re much more filling and have fewer calories.
By switching to nutrient-dense alternatives, you’ll enjoy a healthier body, giving you more energy to pursue other activities, even as you age.
However, you should calculate your calorie requirements carefully based on your age. Your daily calorie needs at 40 differ from when you’re 50 and 60.
Who Should and Shouldn’t Try This Diet Plan
The best reason to follow a low-carb diet is to lose weight. By limiting your carbohydrate intake and improving your overall eating habits—processed foods, sugar-filled drinks, and simple sugars are notorious for causing obesity—you can achieve weight loss without even exercising.
However, cutting out one of the key macros is a drastic lifestyle change that isn’t fit for certain people, especially if you’re breastfeeding or pregnant or you’re an athlete who needs a lot of energy.
As with any changes to your diet, it’s always best to consult your healthcare provider. They can make the necessary adjustments to make the plan better suited for you based on your health history.
Also, don’t forget that this is only a 10-day meal plan. Think of it as a short-term reset. You don’t have to follow it forever. It’s about learning healthy habits that put you in the best position to enjoy a healthier and more awesome lifestyle long-term.
Guidelines for the 10-Day No Carb, No Sugar Diet
Knowing what foods to embrace and which ones to sidestep forms the backbone of your success. We'll break it down so you can shop and plan with confidence.
Foods to Avoid Completely
During these 10 days, you'll need to say "see ya later" to a bunch of foods. It might seem tough, but remember, this isn’t forever.
Aside from the usual suspects, including processed foods, alcohol, sweetened drinks, and sugary treats, we recommend cutting back on your grains, starchy vegetables, milk, yogurt, and certain types of fruits.
Again. This is only temporary. You don’t need to avoid them forever.
Foods You Can Enjoy
Now, as much as it hurts to say goodbye to certain food items, following a low-carb diet does have certain benefits.
Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and turkey are all fair game, as are salmon, tuna, shrimp, and other seafood that contains protein and healthy fats. Eggs are a staple of the low-carb diet because of their perfect combination of nutrients, vitamins, and a healthy dose of protein.
But what about fruits and vegetables? Don’t worry. Crunchy leafy greens like broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and bell peppers are all part of the diet. You can also stock up on healthy fat sources like avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, and certain nuts.
If you’re looking to make your food tastier, you can use herbs and spices as a natural way of giving your food more flavor.
Finally, water, black coffee, and plain tea are your best friends for hydration.
However, if you weight train, add a healthy scoop of whey protein to feed your hungry muscles.
10-Day No Carb, No Sugar Diet Menu Plan
Day 1 (Total calories: ~1500)
- Breakfast: Cheesy Spinach Scramble (350 calories) Whip up 2-3 eggs with a handful of spinach and a sprinkle of cheddar cheese.
- Lunch: Grilled Chicken Salad (400 calories) Toss grilled chicken breast with mixed greens, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
- Dinner: Baked Salmon with Roasted Broccoli (550 calories) Season a salmon fillet with herbs and lemon zest, then bake till flaky. Serve alongside roasted broccoli florets.
- Snack: Celery Sticks with Almond Butter (200 calories) Spread sugar-free almond butter on celery sticks for a crunchy, satisfying snack.
Day 2 (Total calories: ~1550)
- Breakfast: Bacon and Avocado Wrap (400 calories) Use large lettuce leaves as a wrap for crispy bacon strips and sliced avocado.
- Lunch: Tuna Salad Stuffed Peppers (350 calories) Mix canned tuna with mayo, diced celery, and herbs. Stuff this mixture into halved bell peppers.
- Dinner: Beef Stir-Fry with Cauliflower Rice (600 calories) Sauté sliced beef with mixed veggies like broccoli, mushrooms, and snap peas. Serve over cauliflower "rice".
- Snack: Hard-Boiled Eggs (200 calories) Enjoy two hard-boiled eggs for a protein boost.
Day 3 (Total calories: ~1600)
- Breakfast: Mushroom and Herb Frittata (400 calories) Whisk eggs with sautéed mushrooms, fresh herbs, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Bake till set.
- Lunch: Chicken Caesar Salad (No Croutons) (450 calories) Toss grilled chicken breast with romaine lettuce and a homemade Caesar dressing. Add shaved Parmesan for extra flavor.
- Dinner: Pork Chops with Garlic Spinach (550 calories) Pan-sear pork chops and serve alongside sautéed spinach with garlic.
- Snack: Cucumber Rounds with Cream Cheese (200 calories) Spread sugar-free cream cheese on cucumber slices for a refreshing snack.
Day 4 (Total calories: ~1500)
- Breakfast: Smoked Salmon Roll-Ups (350 calories) Spread cream cheese on slices of smoked salmon and roll up with sliced cucumber inside.
- Lunch: Cobb Salad (500 calories) Layer chopped lettuce with diced chicken, bacon bits, hard-boiled egg, avocado and blue cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar dressing.
- Dinner: Stuffed Bell Peppers (450 calories) Fill halved bell peppers with a mixture of ground beef, diced onions, garlic, and herbs. Bake until peppers are tender. Top with melted cheese.
- Snack: Beef Jerky (200 calories) Munch on sugar-free beef jerky for a protein-packed snack.
Day 5 (Total calories: ~1550)
- Breakfast: Chia Seed Pudding (300 calories) Mix chia seeds with unsweetened almond milk and let sit overnight. Top with cinnamon and chopped nuts.
- Lunch: Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps (400 calories) Mash hard-boiled eggs with mayo, mustard, and herbs. Serve in large lettuce leaves.
- Dinner: Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Zucchini Noodles (550 calories) Thread shrimp onto skewers and grill with lemon and herbs. Serve over spiralized zucchini noodles sautéed in olive oil.
- Snack: Cheese Cubes and Olives (300 calories) Enjoy a mix of cubed hard cheese and olives for a Mediterranean-inspired snack.
Day 6 (Total calories: ~1600)
- Breakfast: Sausage and Peppers Skillet (450 calories) Sauté sliced sugar-free sausage with bell peppers and onions.
- Lunch: Turkey and Avocado Roll-Ups (400 calories) Use sliced turkey breast as a wrap for mashed avocado, sliced cucumber, and everything bagel seasoning.
- Dinner: Baked Cod with Lemon Butter Sauce (500 calories) Season cod fillets with herbs and bake till flaky. Serve with a simple lemon butter sauce and steamed asparagus.
- Snack: Deviled Eggs (250 calories) Whip up a batch of deviled eggs using mayo, mustard, and paprika.
Day 7 (Total calories: ~1650)
- Breakfast: Bacon and Spinach Quiche Cups (400 calories) Line muffin tins with bacon slices, then fill with a mixture of eggs, spinach and cheese. Bake for individual crustless quiches.
- Lunch: Chicken Fajita Bowl (500 calories) Sauté sliced chicken breast with bell peppers and onions, seasoned with fajita spices. Serve over cauliflower rice with a dollop of sour cream.
- Dinner: Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Mushrooms (600 calories) Pan-sear bite-sized pieces of steak with garlic butter and sautéed mushrooms.
- Snack: Handful of Macadamia Nuts (150 calories) Enjoy a small serving of macadamia nuts for a crunchy, satisfying snack.
Day 8 (Total calories: ~1600)
- Breakfast: Coconut Flour Pancakes (350 calories) Mix coconut flour with eggs, almond milk, and a sugar-free sweetener. Top with a pat of butter.
- Lunch: BLT Salad (450 calories) Toss chopped romaine lettuce with cherry tomatoes, crumbled bacon, and diced avocado. Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar dressing.
- Dinner: Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken (600 calories) Roast a whole chicken seasoned with lemon, garlic and herbs. Serve with roasted Brussels sprouts.
- Snack: Pepperoni Chips (200 calories) Crisp up pepperoni slices in the oven for a crunchy, savory snack.
Day 9 (Total calories: ~1550)
- Breakfast: Green Smoothie Bowl (300 calories) Blend spinach, avocado, unsweetened almond milk and sugar-free protein powder. Top with chia seeds and chopped nuts.
- Lunch: Taco Lettuce Wraps (450 calories) Season ground beef with taco spices and serve in large lettuce leaves. Top with diced tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream.
- Dinner: Pesto Baked Chicken (600 calories) Spread sugar-free pesto over chicken breasts and bake until cooked. Serve with roasted cherry tomatoes.
- Snack: Seaweed Snacks (200 calories) Munch on roasted seaweed sheets for a light, crunchy snack.
Day 10 (Total calories: ~1650)
- Breakfast: Breakfast Sausage Patties with Fried Eggs (500 calories) Pan-fry the homemade sausage patties (made with ground pork and spices), and serve with fried eggs. Use olive oil for frying.
- Lunch: Shrimp and Avocado Salad (400 calories) Toss cooked shrimp with diced avocado, cucumber, and a squeeze of lime juice.
- Dinner: Ribeye Steak with Grilled Asparagus (650 calories) Grill a juicy ribeye steak to your liking and serve alongside grilled asparagus spears.
- Snack: Pork Rinds (100 calories) Enjoy some crispy pork rinds for a savory, crunchy snack.
Just remember that these calorie counts are just estimates. Your needs may differ based on age, weight, and activity level.
If you’re fairly active or plan on adding to your usual daily activities, you’ll want to adjust portion sizes so that you’ll still feel satisfied without overeating. Aside from your primary healthcare physician, you should listen to your body. It will give off signals letting you know if you need to eat more of something.
Benefits of a No Carb, No Sugar Diet
Weight Loss and Fat Burning
Like with the keto diet, one of the primary goals of the low-carb diet is to induce what’s known as ketosis.
Once started, this process sees the body shift its energy source from fatty acids and glucose, meaning carbohydrates, to fatty acids and ketones, meaning healthy fats and proteins. Since fat and protein take much longer to break down, your body will still have access to as much energy with lower calorie intake.
So you’re basically burning fat, losing weight, and eating healthy all at the same time with a low-carb diet.
Improved Blood Sugar Levels
Because glucose contributes to high blood sugar levels, lowering your carbohydrate intake can positively affect your blood sugar levels, which benefits your cardiovascular health and weight.
If you’re diabetic, dropping refined carbohydrates and simple sugar can also help with blood sugar control.
Enhanced Energy and Focus
Before you say that it will leave you with less energy, studies show that low-carb diets can reduce fatigue and improve energy levels.
Paired with regular physical activity, a low-carb diet may even help improve certain menopausal symptoms, such as age-related weight gain, among others.
Tips for Success on a No Carb, No Sugar Diet
Staying Hydrated
Did you know that your occasional can of soft drinks and flavored beverages is partly why you’re struggling to lose weight?
Nevertheless, staying hydrated is important, especially if you’re trying to lose weight. Instead of sipping on your favorite sugar-filled beverages, drink water. For added variety, try plain herbal tea and black coffee. You can also go for smoothies made out of vegetables and fruits that are part of the low-carb diet plan.
Planning and Prepping Meals in Advance
Unhealthy snacking habits can creep up on you. Before you know it, you’ve just snacked a day’s meal of calories without even knowing.
This is where planning and meal prepping comes in.
When cravings and hunger pangs strike, it pays to stock your fridge with easy but healthy grab-and-go snacking options in between meals. But of course, you must feed your body the right amount of nutrients.
If you’re constantly still hungry, you’ll want to look at what you’ve been feeding your body and your activity levels to see if they match.
We recommend planning weeks and dedicating a few hours every week to meal prepping. Doing this helps you stay on schedule and avoid panicking or eating out when you haven’t prepared dinner ahead of time.
A stocked fridge and a little planning make a low-carb diet feel more manageable, enjoyable, and affordable.
Summary of the 10-Day Plan
Over the past 10 days, you've explored a whole new way of eating. You've cut out carbs and sugars, focusing instead on protein, healthy fats, and low-carb veggies. From cheesy egg scrambles to juicy steaks, you've discovered a way to feel satisfied and eat delicious meals without packing on the pounds.
You’ve probably already noticed some changes. You might even feel more energetic. Maybe the scale has budged, or you’ve been more clear-headed and focused these days. This is all part of the benefits of following a low-carb diet.
Whatever your experience, don’t forget that this is just the start—keep on going until you find the right diet to stick to long-term.
Long-Term Considerations and Next Steps
There’s no best diet for anyone. This is why experts recommend trying out different diet plans until you can find one you like.
The best diet plan is the one you can follow long-term, and it’s not always necessary to stick to a single meal plan.
Life is all about variety, and trying out other meal plans to see if they’re good for you doesn't hurt. What’s important is that you consult your healthcare provider so you can do it healthily and safely.
Here at Reverse Health, we champion the sustainable way of losing weight. We have a team of experts ready to provide nutritional advice.
FAQs
What can I eat on a no-carb, no-sugar diet?
On a no-carb, no-sugar diet, you can focus on foods like lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, non-starchy vegetables, healthy fats (like olive oil and avocado), and some nuts and seeds. Avoid grains, fruits, sugary foods, and processed items with hidden carbs or sugars.
Is a 10-day no-carb, no-sugar diet safe?
For most healthy individuals, a 10-day no-carb, no-sugar diet can be safe if properly planned with nutrient-dense foods. However, it may not be suitable for everyone, such as people with specific health conditions. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting.
Can I lose weight on a 10-day no-carb, no-sugar diet?
Yes, many people experience weight loss on a no-carb, no-sugar diet due to reduced calorie intake and decreased water retention. However, long-term results depend on maintaining a healthy and balanced diet after the 10 days.
Can I drink coffee on a no-carb, no-sugar diet?
Yes, you can drink coffee, but avoid adding sugar or high-carb creamers. Opt for black coffee or add unsweetened almond milk or heavy cream as a low-carb option.
Can I drink coffee on a no-carb, no-sugar diet?
Some common side effects include fatigue, headaches, irritability, and cravings, often referred to as the "keto flu." These usually subside after a few days as your body adjusts to the new diet. Stay hydrated and ensure adequate electrolyte intake to minimize symptoms.