In the mid-1990s, cardiothoracic surgeon Morrison C. Bethea, endocrinologist Samuel S. Andrews, gastroenterologist Luis A. Balart and former corporate CEO H. Leighton Steward self-published the first Sugar Busters diet plan. A major publisher picked it up and rereleased the book in 1998. The authors claim the diet derives from a sound nutritional philosophy, steering people away from insulin-boosting starches and replacing them with low-sugar foods. Several healthful foods are available to followers of the Sugar Busters diet.
Function
According to the the Sugar Busters website, the core function of the diet's food plan is to focus on foods that score low on the glycemic index. Thus, a surprising amount of vegetables are taboo, including beets, potatoes, carrots and corn. Replace these starchier vegetables with high fiber and more watery vegetables such as cabbage, celery, broccoli, brussels sprouts, squash, spinach, mushrooms and peas.
Misconceptions
On a Sugar Busters food plan, not all carbohydrates are bad. Refined, processed and white flours and starches, which all score high on the glycemic index, are out. However, plenty of stone-ground grains, whole grains and fiber-filled carbohydrates qualify on the diet, which allows a daily intake of 40 percent to 50 percent carbohydrates. Health Magazine's review of the Sugar Busters diet recommends carbohydrates such as whole grain pasta, brown rice, oats, whole grain bread and other sources of high fiber.
Features
Like many diets focused on reducing people's intake of carbohydrates and sugars, the Sugar Buster diet recommends lean protein sources. The Diet Channel lists some of the common proteins in a Sugar Buster food plan, including lean cuts of red meat, skinless poultry, fish, nuts, legumes and low fat and nonfat dairy products. Processed meats, fried proteins and lunch meats are not allowed.
Warning
While the authors of the Sugar Busters diet say that counting calories is not a key part of the food plan, followers must follow guidelines regarding portion control. You can choose from a variety of foods, many of which had been forbidden from low calories diets in the past.
Expert Insight
The Mayo Clinic classifies the Sugar Busters diet as one of many commercial diets based on the glycemic index, noting that Nutrisystem and the Zone diets follow similar guidelines. All of these diets recommend fiber-filled vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean protein. The Sugar Busters plan recommends cutting out trans fats, but allows for sensible portions of unsaturated fat.
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