Originally written by H. Leighton Steward, the Sugar Busters Diet – Cut Sugar to Trim Fat was first self published in 1995, became a huge bestseller, and was then re-published in 1998. The book was soon followed by another: Sugar Busters! Quick & Easy Cookbook
The theory behind the Sugar Busters Diet was developed by a number of professionals besides Steward. Its basic premise is to eliminate sugar from the diet and thereby regain health and lose unwanted weight.
This is a strict approach since practically every type of refined sugar is cut out. This includes honey, corn syrup, molasses, , glucose, dextrose maltodextrin, and beer, sugared sodas.
It is also recommended that you avoid certain types of carbs like corn, refined flour, and carrots.
The Sugar Buster Diet: An Overview
You might not know it, but the average person takes in more than a pound of sugar a day in the form of chocolates, ice creams, biscuits, refined foods and sugary drinks. Basically, this diet seeks to eliminate these sugars and thus trim fat.
The diet favors the intake of macronutrients in the 40-30-30 ratio, with 40% fat, 30% proteins and 30% carbs in a typical meal.
A typical day will contain an eating plan like so:
- Breakfast: A cup of oats with skim milk and a sugar substitute
- Lunch: A turkey sandwich with vegetables
- Dinner: Brown rice, a sliver of pork tenderloin, steam beans
- Dessert: a handful of nuts
A number of foods are nixed. Many of them are high G.I (Glycemic Index) foods. But others are randomly selected because they are sweet. Banned foods include refined sugars like molasses, sugar and fructose syrups, dextrose, sugary sodas and drinks, beer, honey and corn syrup. Carbs rich in sugar are also out. Thus, potatoes, corn, carrots, refined flour, white rice and the like are also out of bounds.
The Sugar Buster Diet: A Review
The book is written very well and is a quick read. For those who like to have a lot of details, the book provides a lot of information and scientific evidence on why sugar is bad for the body.
People who have followed the Atkins Diet or the South Beach Diet may experience flashes of deja-vu because there are many similar elements in these diets.
The premise of the diet is sound because specialists agree that sugar is a major contributing factor in a majority of undesirable health and weight conditions that beset people. But this is not a weight loss plan. It is more a healthy food plan. Any weight loss is the natural fallout of eating healthy. The exercise plan also works in tandem with healthy eating to facilitate easy weight loss.
However, the diet has a number of disadvantages too. Nutritionists object to the random exclusion of a number of foods that are in fact good for the body. The high intake of proteins as advocated in the diet might harm the kidneys in the long run.
Sugar Busters Diet Pros & Cons
Pros:
- No calorie counting
- Advocates the elimination of unhealthy foods
- Advocates regular exercise
- Provides meal plans in detail
- Sugar restriction leads to healthier, happier life
- Helpful for stabilizing blood sugar levels and might do a world of good to people who suffer from conditions like hypoglycemia
Cons
- Highly restrictive
- Difficult for vegetarians to follow
- Too rich in proteins
- Eliminates certain essential vegetables
- Restricts food intake to 1,200 calories
- Diet is hard to maintain
- May lead to post diet bingeing
- Is not a long term plan
In Conclusion:
Whether the diet is good for you or not depends on your lifestyle. If you are the type who eats a lot of refined sugars (either through store bought foods, restaurant foods or fast foods), then, this diet can do a world of good for you. If you want to lose a few calories, this diet can help you do that in a jiffy. But, if you are looking for a lifetime of healthy eating and joyful living, you might need to follow something less restrictive and more natural.
