Sugar Busters
Cut sugar to trim fat on this weight loss diet
Full Name: Sugar Busters!
Origin: A collaborative effort from H. Leighton Steward, Dr. Morrison Bethea, Dr. Sam Andrews and Dr. Luis Balart
Description: A less sugar diet (not a "no" sugar diet) - "the voice of moderation"
Likes: Whole grains, vegetables, lean meats, fruits
Dislikes: Potatoes, corn, bread, refined flour, white rice, carrots, beets and sugar in most of its forms
Looking for: Someone who wants to lose weight but doesn't want to cut food groups
Works Well With: Following the guidelines of the book, Sugar Busters! Cut Sugar to Trim Fat
Low-fat diets don't always seem to work - why? Because most low-fat foods are jam-packed with sugar to make up for it. Sugar causes insulin levels to rise, which in turn inhibits the breakdown of fat. Excess sugars also get stored as fat. On the Sugar Busters diet, you can still eat fat, but most sugars will be limited.
This diet is a lifestyle change, telling you when, how and what to eat. The caloric intake is broken down into a 40 / 30 / 30 ratio: 40% of daily calories from fat, 30% from carbohydrates and 30% from protein. You are encouraged to avoid refined sugars and processed grain products, without completely eliminating sugar from your diet. Choose foods wisely on this diet, by looking for low-carb products, and avoiding too many saturated and trans fats.
This weight loss plan is non-restrictive - you can eat foods from every food group if you remember to eat in moderation. Recommended foods include whole grains, high fiber veggies, lean meats (for protein) and low-fat milk and cheese. Be sure to drink six to eight glasses of water, and eat three normally-sized meals a day. Snacks are allowed, but eating food late in the evening is discouraged.
Exercise is another important part of the diet. At least 20 minutes of exercise, four days a week is recommended. But if you can't seem to squeeze in this much, just remember that even a little exercise is better than nothing at all!
The Sugar Busters Diet has received a lot of attention, but the reviews among dieticians as to its effectiveness and nutritional value have been mixed. The major problem with the diet is, how do you avoid eating sugar? It's everywhere! Trying to find all the hidden sugars in every product is very time-consuming.
