Shawon Davis Photography
Brenda Bennett, popular food blogger Sugar Free Mom, knows what it’s like to struggle with sugar and carb addiction and what it’s like to be doing keto alone without her husband following the diet. She's found freedom in the keto lifestyle and the ability to make recipes the whole family will eat. No need to cook differently for your kids and make separate meals for yourself.
Since 2011, her blog has become the most popular sugar-free source on the web today. She has a devoted following of those looking to simply reduce sugar consumption, many who follow a low carb diet and many who have multiple allergies. Her readers can identify with her as her own children have tree nut, peanut, and soy allergies and she herself has a gluten and dairy intolerance. She is a mom who had to give up sugar, but still wants chocolate working hard to maintain her weight loss. With her 3 children who keep her very busy she strives to balance it all and still provide healthy, homemade meals that don't require too much time in the kitchen.
Her first cookbook, Sugar-Free Mom, Naturally Sweet & Sugar-Free Recipes for the Whole Family was released on December 9, 2014. This book is a wonderful beginners guide to going sugar free with over 100 family friendly recipes.
Her second cookbook, Naturally Keto includes a wide variety of over 125 recipes from breakfast to desserts, many dairy free and nut free, as well as a 4-week meal plan, a beginner’s guide to starting keto, tips on dealing with a reluctant spouse, kitchen essentials, and fool proof fabulous recipes for entertaining a non- low carb crowd.
Naturally Keto features something for everyone, no matter what your taste or dietary need and includes:
- 50 plus Dairy Free Recipes and many with Dairy Free-Options
- 75 Egg-Free Recipes
- Over 115 that are nut free!
NEW BOOK: The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet
This is a program based on the online 6 week Sugar Detox course. It's a whole food detox with customizable meal plan for either low carb or keto. Over 90+ recipes!
Want to know the Sugar Free Courses Available:
4 week Stall Buster Keto Course
A few words from Brenda:
When I first began my sugar-free journey I thought it would be impossible to sustain. How could anyone not have chocolate or cake on their birthday? You see back when I began with removing white sugar in 2004, there weren't many recipes available that were sweetened with natural sugars, let alone any that were sweetened with natural sugar free sweeteners, like Stevia and Swerve ,Sukrin and Monk Fruit. I began creating recipes using natural, less processed sugars like coconut sugar, honey and sucanat. As the years went by, I learned that my body could not tolerate even the natural sugars I was consuming. I always craved more. Stevia became my first choice for a natural sugar free sweetener. I also learned I was gluten sensitive.
When browsing through my Recipe Index, you will notice, recipes created from 2011-2013 were not gluten free but used whole wheat flours. Many were not sugar free but used unprocessed sugars. You will not find any recipes that include using white refined flour or sugar, brown sugar, agave nectar, Splenda or other artificial sweeteners. Here's a post all about why I won't use Splenda: 3 Splenda Myths Busted.
If you'd like the full details of how I became sugar-free, please read My Journey.
All recipes from 2014 and on are now not only sugar free and gluten free, but also low carb. If you're unfamiliar with the difference between Low Carb versus Sugar Free please read this post I wrote about it. All recipes are low carb because I've learned over the last 3 years my body has changed and eating this way makes me feel better than I ever have in the past. Since 2017 I've been doing a very low carb, a Ketogenic diet. If you're unfamiliar what the difference is between the two you can read this post all about it and my 6 Week Keto Results when I first began really counting my macros and testing my blood.
Since 2015 I've really been creating recipes that fall in line with a keto, low carb, high fat, moderate protein approach. Being on a keto diet has truly helped the most with sugar cravings and I plan on continuing for life as I just love this way of eating!
Tidbits About Me:
- Jesus is Number 1 in my Life!
- My family is my main priority.
- My youngest child has a tree nut and peanut allergy.
- My oldest child has a soy and peanut allergy.
- I love cheese!
- I LOVE to exercise, really I really do!
- I am a coffee lover.
- I pray YOU will find help, encouragement, laughter, joy, ideas, direction, fabulous family friendly recipes and most of all HOPE that you too can lead a life free of sugar and LOVE it!
BLESSINGS,
BRENDA
Sugar-Free Mom
PLEASE NOTE DISCLAIMER:
Brenda Bennett is not a doctor. She is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Certified Keto Coach. This blog is her own experience as examples and guidelines for healthy eating, exercise and weight loss strategies. Consult a medical professional before making exercise and dietary changes.
Ken D. Berry, MD/ Medical Reviewer
Ken Berry, MD is a family physician in Camden, Tennessee and is affiliated with Henry County Medical Center. He received his medical degree from University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He is the author of the bestseller Lies My Doctor Told Me which exposes myths and misleading health advice from well-meaning doctors, such as avoiding fat. He also has a very popular youtube channel. Dr. Berry’s own health dramatically improved when he embraced a ketogenic diet. You can also find him on Facebook, and Instagram. Dr.Berry's Website.
Jo Harding/ Recipe Contributor
Jo is the creative food photographer and stylist behind the healthy eating blog, Modern Food Stories. Jo's a testament that once you find the right approach for you, you can overcome chronic illness through the healing power of food. She believes the secret to radiant health starts and ends with a healthy gut so all her recipes are grain, gluten and refined sugar free. Many are also dairy-free.
Lauren Kelly
Lauren is a recipe developer and food blogger. She has written two cookbooks, The Everything Wheat-Free Diet Cookbook and The Greek Yogurt Cookbook. She has an undergraduate degree in Business & Finance and Psychology and my Masters in Nutrition Science. She loves to share her healthy and delicious recipes and follows a low carb, sugar free diet. Lauren lives in NJ with her husband and three boys.
Yvonne
Hi for the Paleo Keto Chicken Nuggets recipe, do you think it would work if you used ground beef instead of chicken? Thanks Yvonne
Brenda
Sure
Leia
I'm very excited to follow this page now! I have a question about a recipe and I wasn't sure where to contact you to ask it.
I would like to turn your LOW CARB CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN SPICE MUG CAKE into an actual full size cake for Thanksgiving, but I'm not sure how to adjust the measurements for it. I was wondering if someone could help me figure it out! Thanks!
Leia
Michelle G
Just found your page and looking through the pages is making my mouth water..who knew eating healthy could be so delicious! Im looking forward to making some of the wonderful meals your teaching us.
Dolly Garlo
You mention membership but I don't see a link to find out more about it.
Brenda
https://mealplans.sugarfreemom.com/
Anne Marsaw
Used 4 cups shredded zucchini instead of cauliflower in Brenda’s tortilla recipe. Everything else was the same except I added 1 teaspoon cumin. Baked on parchment paper in oven same as the cauliflower recipe. It was delicious!
Laura Smith
Hi Brenda. I started seeing your recipes in my Facebook stream, and quickly became interested in learning more. I am pre-diabetic, definitely overweight, have a major sweet tooth, and want to just start eating better. Fortunately my husband wants this as well though he doesn't have my sweet tooth. I'm interested in all your recipe varieties as I have a sister that's gluten free as well. If I sign up for the weekly plans, do I have to pick just one type ( I. E gluten fee), or do you mix it up so that can try sugar free, Keto, gluten free? I imagine Keto is the best option for weightloss, but want to try a variety of options.
Ivan
How many years have you and your family lived with diabetes?
Bea Didio
I saved your Cloud Bread hot dog roll recipe but it has whey protein ( I do not have this,) does that have to be
used . Other recipes do not have it. Have really been enjoying the recipes you Post , they come to my FB site.
Takes a lot of work to test these and share them with us Thank You. ( I have a Gluten problem so not sure about Whey also lacto intolerant ) Bea
Brenda
The whey is what makes my cloud bread much better than other recipes. You could use egg white protein powder instead of whey for an allergy.
Ivan
How many years have you and your kids lived with diabetes?
Holly
Love your site! I am 46 and have been keto for 15 years. Due to my age weight is creeping back in. Not sure why but I think I know why....Hormones! Any tips for stopping a weight gain in the 40s even when I have been Keto for 15 years? I tried IF and calorie restriction along with Keto. You look great!!
Thanks!
Brenda
I think you might have to experiment with a lower fat intake. I'm 47 and it seems 75-80% fat is just too much for my body. Try lowering to 60% fat and see what happens.
Sandra
I too am concerned about recipes that have the 75% to 80% fat as when I tried to eat "keto" my cholesterol numbers went up. If a recipe of yours have saturated fat ingredients, How really can I reduce the % of fat? Thank you so much. I really am enjoying being introduced to your site and Super Excited that Jesus is #1 in Your Life! He is in mine also...May God Bless You And Your family!!
Joanne George
I love all your no bake sweets!!! So yummy! Thanks for offering so much!! I look forward to more cookbooks!!!
Keep it coming SugarfreeMom!
Joanne George
Brenda
Thank you Joanne!
Kristina Seleshanko
I blog over at ProverbsThirtyOneWoman.blogspot.com and am working on a post that links to great keto/low carb Easter recipes. I'll be including a link to your carrot cake cheesecake recipe. Would you mind if I use one photo (attributed to you and linking to your site)?
Thank you,
Kristina
Brenda
Not at all, thank you!
Rick Powell
Brenda.
My name is Rick Powell. My wife (Peggy) and I have problems with Dairy, Wheat, Sugar, Nuts. Could you help with ideas treats for just two people.
I am going to start with the Pumpkin pie first, to see if we can handle this one.
Thank You.
God bless.
Rick
[email protected]
Brenda
All my recipes are wheat and sugar free but as far as dairy, and nuts, some are, you'll just have to use the recipe index labeled with those categories to see the recipes listed.
Caroline Brunet
Hi
What can we replace de stevia lemon with? I use Erythritol ( swerve) . Lemon extract or more juice ! Thanks caroline
Brenda
This is my about page, so I'm not sure which recipe you're asking me about.
Joëlle
Hi Brenda,
I came across your blog when looking for a dairy-free clam chowder recipe. I had just made mine and wanted to compare! I didn’t realize that Whole Foods sold untreated canned clams and clam juice. My husband has big issues with dairy and all additives (sulfites in particular), and I with gluten! What a pair, right ?? So no processed foods for us since 2013, and as a result no more migraines, seasonal allergies, and practically no more asthma for my husband!
I don’t know if you make chowder these days, it being high in carbs because of the potatoes, but if you do, it can be thick like the original one if you:
1) use homemade non-dairy cream made from uncooked GF oats blended in some hot water (60°C) instead of almond milk
2) blend some of the potatoes before serving the chowder.
I have always been careful about sugar, and except for the holiday season I always keep in mind that the WHO recommends no more than 25g of added sugar per day. That’s a far cry from most dessert recipes out there!
Additives and sugar mess with our gut flora. No wonder so many people get sick. Scientific research is proving us right.
I look forward to looking at, and trying out, your recipes. Thank you for sharing them!
Janet
Love your recipes and appreciate all you do to contribute to the sugar free/low carb options! I have 2 questions…
1. You use ramekins in quite a lot of recipes but it never says what size you’re using. Are they 4 oz or 6 oz?
2. I was unable to find xanthan gum in my local stores. Will guar gum work as a replacement and if so, can I use the same amount when measuring?
Thanks!
Brenda
6 ounce ramekins and yes guar gum should work to replace xanthan.
Charissa
Red velvet couples mug cake was unsuccessful. Has anybody tried this if so please leave tips. Is the oven or microwave better to use? Any tips for a creamer frosting?
Tracey Santoro
I've looked at the low carb coconut bread and blueberry bread and I do not understand how I can make bread with just 1/2 cup of almond or coconut flour? Are these typos????
Brenda
No not typos, it's a small loaf. Please read all the reviews of those who have made it.
Jacque
Feeling grateful for you Brenda. Thank you for sharing. My quality of life and ability to embrace my flour and sugar free life is greatly improved. 🙂
Glenn C Schwartzenbach
Wow, Brenda - you are SO GORGEOUS! i am going to try your recipes for "keto low-carb coconut flour bread" and "grain free sugar free cinnamon roll muffins" My wife and i started eating low-carb two weeks ago to lose weight and help my wife's diabetes and our cholesteral levels. I am passing these recipes on to family and Pastor. Thanks and God Bless you and your family. Tell your husband that I hope he knows how Blessed he is! (I know that I am, by my wife that is!)
Cindy
Hey Brenda I wanted to tell you I tried these this morning and they are so delicious! I didn’t have this swerve or the brown sugar substitute so I used Monk fruit with molasses. And I didn’t have a doughnut pan so I used a miniature muffin pan! They are just perfect! Thank you for sending these every week! You’re very inspiring to me
Brenda Bennett
Thank you! So happy you enjoyed the pumpkin donuts!
Christina
Hi there,
Do you have any recipes that are free of any type of sugar? I don't mind the natural sugars in fruit but we are artificial sugar free, no stevia, honey, molasses, or anything that has sugar in it. I cant find much out there like this.
Thank you!
Christina
Sandra Downey
Why has your Sugar Free Mom cookbook jumped to over $60.00?
Brenda
Amazon sold out of them but told me they will be in their warehouse by Sept 7th 2018 and the price will go back to $19.99.
Laquetta
Hi,
I purchased the phase 1 plan today but was not redirected to the passwords. Please help!!!
Thank you.
Laquetta
Brenda
Just emailed you.
Denise
Hello,
in your cabbage and ground beef Crock-Pot soup, what do you mean when you refer to shallots? Green onions, or actual small shallots?
Thank you
Brenda
small shallots but you can use regular onions too