The Sugar Busters! diet minimizes the amount of sugar you eat. The diet was created in 1995 by H. Leighton Steward and doctors Samuel S. Andrews, Morrison C. Bethea and Luis A. Balart. According to its creators, the diet works because it reduces the amount of insulin your body creates, which then helps your body burn stored fat rather than collect it. Although foods like sugar, corn and refined flour are prohibited on the Sugar Busters! diet, there is still a wide range of foods to choose from when making your diet-friendly meals.
Whole Grains
While refined flours and corn products are off-limits, whole-grain products can still be a part of your life. According to the diet's creators, whole-grain bread, crackers and pasta are permitted as long as they do not contain added sugar in any form, including corn syrup, molasses and honey. Brown rice is also an option, but you should avoid white rice unless you're using white basmati rice.
Vegetables
Vegetables are "your best friend," according to the diet's creators. Only a few vegetables are prohibited: potatoes, corn, beets, turnips, parsnips and rutabagas. Carrots should only be eaten in moderation. If you eat beans, reduce the number of other starchy carbohydrates in the same meal. Sweet potatoes and yams may be eaten while on the diet. All vegetables should be as fresh as possible, though canned or frozen vegetables may be eaten. Avoid pickled vegetables unless they contain less than 3 g of sugar per serving.
Fruit
Since nearly all types of sugar are prohibited on the diet, fruit will probably be your primary source of sweet treats. Nearly all raw fruits are acceptable, but avoid watermelon, raisins, pineapple and bananas. If buying canned or frozen fruit, check the label to be sure the fruit does not contain added sugar of any kind. Juices containing 100 percent fruit are also permitted, but drinking juice counts toward your daily fruit intake. For best results, the diet's creators suggest eating no more than three fruit servings per day, including juice and no-sugar-added jams and jellies.
Protein
Lean protein is an important part of the Sugar Busters! diet, according to its creators. Make sure you get enough protein per day by dividing your current weight by 2.2. The result reflects the number of grams of protein per day you should eat. Lean meats, eggs, tofu, beans, nuts and seeds are all permitted. Avoid meat cured with sugar and dairy products that contain sugar, although unsweetened milk, cheese and yogurt are a good source of protein.
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