Overview

The Sugar Busters Diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-protein weight loss diet. It is based on a book published in 1995 by H. Leighton Steward, Morrison Bethea, MD, and Luis Balart, MD.

The Sugar Busters Diet is used for weight loss, but there is no good scientific evidence to support this use.

The main strategy used by the Sugar Busters Diet is to eliminate or reduce "bad carbs," carbohydrates that have a "high glycemic index." High glycemic index foods raise blood sugar levels quickly after the food is eaten. Some people think that high glycemic index foods cause excessive insulin secretion resulting in fat accumulation, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other harmful outcomes. However, there continues to be significant debate and research to determine if a low glycemic index diet can actually prevent these outcomes.

The Sugar Busters Diet suggests avoiding foods such as white rice, white bread, pineapple, syrups, corn chips, potato chips, breaded foods, and sugary snacks. It recommends intake of 40% of daily calories from high fiber foods such as vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds; 30% of calories from low-fat protein sources such as lean meats, skinless chicken, or seafood; and 30% from fats.

The Sugar Busters Diet has a significantly lower overall glycemic index compared to the high- or moderate-carbohydrate diets. However, there is no scientifically reliable information to know if using this diet results in weight loss.

How does it work ?

The main strategy used by the Sugar Busters Diet is to eliminate or reduce "bad carbs," carbohydrates that have a "high glycemic index." High glycemic index foods raise blood sugar levels quickly after the food is eaten. Some people think that high glycemic index foods cause excessive insulin secretion resulting in fat accumulation, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other harmful outcomes. However, there continues to be significant debate and research to determine if a low glycemic index diet can actually prevent these outcomes.

The Sugar Busters Diet suggests avoiding foods such as white rice, white bread, pineapple, syrups, corn chips, potato chips, breaded foods, and sugary snacks. It recommends intake of 40% of daily calories from high fiber foods such as vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds; 30% of calories from low-fat protein sources such as lean meats, skinless chicken, or seafood; and 30% from fats.

The Sugar Busters Diet has a significantly lower overall glycemic index compared to the high- or moderate-carbohydrate diets. However, there is no scientifically reliable information to know if using this diet results in weight loss.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Weight loss.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of the Sugar Busters Diet for this use.

Side Effects



Special Precautions and Warnings



There isn't enough reliable information to know if the Sugar Busters Diet is safe or what the side effects might be.


Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if the Sugar Busters Diet is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Sugar Busters Diet overview.

Dosing

The appropriate or safe use of the Sugar Busters Diet depends on several factors. Be sure to seek and follow relevant directions from your physician or other healthcare professional before using this diet.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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