Before we get started with this, I need to mention some things that I am NOT:
- I am not a Doctor (of any sort)
- I am not a Nurse
- I am not a Lawyer (nor am I paid like one)
- I am not a Nutritionist (but LOVE food)
- I am not paid by the SugarBusters folks
I AM, however; benefitting greatly from the health benefits associated with the Sugar Busters diet/way of eating.
Also, you should talk with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program.
The basic principles of the Sugar Busters diet are:
- Sugar in the body causes the production of insulin.
- Insulin encourages fat storage in the body.
- Eating whole foods with low glycemic values (slower burning sugars) yields less insulin production and therefore less fat storage.
There's more to it and I suggest you read the book, but that'll get us started.
The day-to-day realities for the way I eat, based on the Sugar Busters diet are these:
I DO NOT eat:
- refined sugar
- refined flour
- white rice
- highly processed grains
- honey
- fruits with high glycemic values (bananas, watermelon, pineapple, raisins)
- vegetables with high glycemic values (corn, potatoes)
...or any foods containing appreciable amounts of these ingredients
I DO eat:
- meat
- vegetables (except those mentioned above)
- fruit (except those mentioned above)
- cheese and other dairy products
So, if you are a bread-loving pasta eater who can't live without cakes and cookies for dessert, then this way of eating is very different than what you currently eat. It is very different from what I used to eat.
Some of my favorite things to eat include:
- salads with cheese, soy nuts, pine nuts, chicken or salmon, and ranch dressing
- oatmeal (whole grain, organic) with blueberries or apples, pecans and cinnamon
- fresh fruits including apples, oranges, peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries and grapefruit
- lots of vegetables including broccoli, asparagus, green beans, brussel sprouts, greens and peppers
- lots of beans including chili soups, and refried beans with cheese and sour cream
- lots of fish dishes
- sugar free treats like ice cream and candy
I am very rarely hungry and almost never have a craving that I can't satisfy. I'm not kidding when I tell you that this way of eating is very manageable and pleasurable once you adjust to it.
It's also important to mention that I have found that for the first month or two of the diet, you need to focus on eating foods that are allowed or "legal". Once you get that under control, you MUST then shift your focus to portion control. It's possible to eat foods that are "legal" and still gain weight, especially if you eat too much of them. But in the beginning, focus on what you eat, then once that's part of your daily routine, focus on how much you eat.
