Sugar Busters! Diet Plan

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Our Reviewer Says ...

"By eliminating both refined foods and sugar from your diet-which is the entire premise of Sugar Busters!-dieters will definitely lose weight, plus trigger less insulin surges, which is what the body releases in response to higher amounts of sugar."

At a Glance

If there's one point this diet tries to get across, it's this: Sugar is toxic! Instead of believing that eating too many calories or too much fat or carbohydrates is the reason for weight gain, Sugar Busters! believes it's eating too much sugar that triggers weight gain. The more sugar you eat, the more insulin your body has to release in order to process it. It's that insulin surge that prevents dieters from losing weight, according to the book. By eliminating all foods made from refined sugar-as well as foods with a high-sugar content-dieters not only lose weight, but improve their overall health, reduce their cholesterol and lower their risk of developing diabetes as well. There are no phases or levels to follow. Dieters eat three meals a day, with a snack in between each meal, by are asked to stop eating after 8 PM. By following the recommended suggestions for meals and snacks, dieters end up eating about 1,200 calories per day, getting roughly 40% of their daily calories from high-fiber, low-glycemic carbohydrates, 30% from protein and 30% from fat. Dieters follow the diet plan for a total of 14 days.

Checklist

Cost: Average. The low-glycemic foods the diet recommends to eat-vegetables, whole-grains, lean meat, etc.-aren't any more expensive than the foods you're probably purchasing right now. However, if you decide to order any of the specialty, low-glycemic meals or products they sell at their site, you might see an increase in its' overall cost.
Meals Provided: Yes and no. You basically follow the menu suggestions in their books, but they do sell their own line of foods-baguettes, rolls and other types of breads, cereal, breakfast bars; pasta, cookies and a few frozen meals-that they sell on their site.
Diet Duration: Dieters are told to stick with the plan for 14 days in order to see results.
Fitness Requirements: Exercise is encouraged, although the program claims that regular fitness isn't as effective unless you cut refined sugars from your diet.
Time Commitment: Short. With practically no calorie-counting-although it is stressed that dieters make sure their meals are properly balanced-the diet doesn't take much leg work. And, since it's only a 14-day commitment, it doesn't seem as daunting time-wise to dieters.
Eating Out: Moderate to difficult. Eat off the menu and it's easier to combine certain foods to match what the diet recommends, but since many of the foods Sugar Busters! eliminates are typical side-dish fare-such as potatoes, white rice, corn, carrots, white breads, white-flour pasta, etc.-it usually means having to leave a few things on your plate.
Alcohol: One glass, if served with a meal, is OK. Red wine is fine, but beer is restricted.
Vegetarian-Friendly: It's tricky. Dieters end up eating plenty of veggies, but the diet is also high in protein, relying on plenty of lean meats and fish to fill that quota. However, it also recommends eating nuts, low-fat dairy products and eggs-depending on what type of vegetarian you are-as acceptable protein sources as well.
Strict/Flexible Eating Plan: Fairly strict. Dieters are told to separate foods into three categories-forbidden, recommended and food to be eaten in moderation.