Sugar Busters!

Similar to Mastering the Zone and Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, the Sugar Busters diet claims that carbohydrate (sugar) causes obesity and insulin resistance in the United States. The authors advocate the elimination of carbohydrate from the diet, claiming that one will not overeat foods high in sugar and become insulin resistant. Again, by removing carbohydrate and sugar from the diet, a significant number of calories are eliminated, creating a caloric deficit and, thus, weight loss. An analysis performed by the American Dietetic Association indicates that the menu plans recommended in the book yield approximately 1,200 calories a day. It is not the lack of carbohydrates that cause one to lose weight but rather the very low calorie intake.

Advantages:
The authors recommend consuming lean cuts of meat in addition to fruits and vegetables. Regular exercise is also encouraged.

Disadvantages:
Similar to other high-protein plans, rebound is inevitable due to eventual carbohydrate cravings and the unrealistic restrictions proposed by the diet.

The deception here is brilliant because an increase in body fat can lead to insulin resistance (IR). Therefore, lowering body fat with any method can reverse IR.

They make you believe that your carbohydrate intake (not weight gain) leads to the IR and that starts the increase in body fat. By removing carbohydrates, the calories decline, and succinctly body weight, leading to a reversal of IR. The authors win because you lost weight and became insulin sensitive again, but you lose because once you grow tired of protein and are starved for carbohydrates, you will rebound with a vengeance.**

The American Dietetic Association analyzed the recipes recommended by the book and found that each menu averaged a mere 1,200 calories a day. This is an unrealistic restriction on food intake that cannot be maintained. Keep in mind that weight loss itself reduces the disease symptoms of obesity; not necessarily the method in which one achieves it.

Long-term success:
Due to inevitable carbohydrate cravings, long-range success is unlikely.

**The bottom line is that this food plan is not the best way to lower your food intake unless you are strictly throwing out junk food. You must maintain a healthy balance of good carbohydrates within a caloric allotment that promotes a healthy and desired level of body fat.

Sugar Busters diet was created by: H. Leighton Steward, Morrison C. Bethea, M.D., Sam S. Andrews, M.D., Ralph O. Brennan and Luis A. Balart, M.D.