Sugar Free Diet - Pros, Cons, Sugar Busters, Low Sugar Foods List


The sugar free diet, developed in 1998 as the 'Sugar Busters' diet, has seen a resurgence of interest for weight loss and better health. Many people have lost weight on this diet which fundamentally bans processed foods, sugar laden foods and promotes whole foods rich in fiber with a low Glycemic Index (GI) and low calorie densities.

The original developers of the diet also claimed that it lowers cholesterol, promotes wellness, increase your energy and does not leave you hungry, helps control diabetes and other diseases and is a low GI diet. Counting calories or controlling portion size is not part of the diet. However, replacing high calorie density foods, rich in sugar and low in fiber, with whole foods means that the menus are low in calories. In a way this is similar to the various high protein diets such as the Atkins and Dakun diets that work in similar ways by reducing sugar and carbohydrates. Lowing carbs in the diet means less calorie are consumed.

So what are the pros and cons of the Sugar Free, Sugar Busters Diet and what foods are banned and which low sugar foods are recommended?

Reducing sugar in the diet essentially eliminates sugar added to many processed foods, but also means reducing natural high sugar foods such as fruit and honey
Reducing sugar in the diet essentially eliminates sugar added to many processed foods, but also means reducing natural high sugar foods such as fruit and honey. Source: Public Domain

What You Can and Can't Eat

Basically you should stop eating all foods containing refined and natural sugars, especially the complex sugars -fructose and sucrose. Glucose is OK. The menus encourage eating stone-ground whole grains, high-fiber vegetables, fish, lean and trimmed meats and fruits (all basic healthy recommendations). The preferred form of alcohol is red wine. Food should be baked, grilled or broiled, and cooked with oils such as olive and canola oils that are low in saturated fats, such as canola (not part of the diet but promoted by the originators). The table below summarises the forbidden foods and fruits and the those permitted on the diet.

Users of the diet can eat three meals a day of usual portions. Snacks are allowed such as nuts and permitted fruits.

Reviews 

The claim that the sugar free diet can avert diabetes has been severely criticised. The developers of the diet also claim sugar is toxic to our bodies and can affect insulin levels and this is related to weight gain. These medical aspects won't be discussed further. 

While many people lose weight on this diet it is not because sugar is a 'poison'. The diet works because it cuts out the calories in the sugar. People lose weight on it because it is a low calorie diet without counting calories. Each menu in the books averages a only about 1,200 calories (which is about 50-60% of the daily calorie allowance). Anyone can lose weight on 1,200 calories a day using any diet! This is similar to how weight is lost on the Dukan diet (see: Dukan Diet Recipes, Reviews, Menu Ideas )

The elimination of processed foods has a lot of merit because these foods have been implicated as a major cause of the worldwide obesity epidemic (See: Paleo Diet Food List, Menu, Recipes | Caveman, Paleolithic Food).

The diet rates foods based on the Glycemic Index (GI). (see:Low GI Food List and Diet Tips using the Glycemic Index.

The developers of the Sugar Busters Diet do encourage dieters to drink lots of water and get regular exercise as well as, which are important actions for any diet. The authors of the book also suggest that fat should be trimmed from meat and lean cuts should be selected. 

The diet encourages high fibre foods, but some prominent foods high in fiber, such as bananas, are prohibited because they also contain high levels of sugar. For more about high fiber foods ( See: Fibre Rich Foods | Fruits, Grains, Cereals and Vegetables Rich in Fibre ).

.Nutritionists have raised concerns about the high protein levels in the diet and risks of kidney damage.

Many dieters found it easy to follow and kept energy level up and controlled hunger pangs. However many dieters found that the plan was hard to maintain in the long term and it was annoying having to look up foods in the lists.

Pros of the Sugar Free Diet:

Cons of the Sugar Free Diet

Forbidden, Permitted and Restricted Food Lists

Forbidden foods
Permitted Foods
Eat in Moderation
White bread (includes any bread with white flour in it)
Whole grains - such as brown rice and oatmeal
Fruit juices with no added sugar
Pasta - unless whole grain
Whole grain flour
Artificially sweetened colas (clear sodas are better)
White rice
Products made with 100% whole grain flour
Chocolate (at least 60% cacao)
White flour and products made with it
Beans
Pure fruit jams and jellies without added sugar
Potatoes and potato chips
Sweet potatoes
Carrots
Corn and corn chips
Lean meats - trimmed of fat. Nothing sugar-cured
Butter and cream and regular cheese
Sugar and products with added sugar e.g. canned fruits in syrup
Fish and seafood (not breaded)
Beverages with caffeine
Jams and jellies containing added sugars
Eggs
Small portions of sugar-free ice cream
Ripe bananas (green OK)
Nuts and nut butters
 
Raisins
Flax Seeds
 
Pineapple
Olive and canola oils
 
Beets
Low fat milk and other dairy products
 
Parsnips
Mayonnaise and other sauces and dressings with no added sugar
 
Honey
Artificial sweeteners OK
 
Syrups
Beans
 
Salad dressings and sauces with added sugar - such as Teriyaki sauce
Lentils
 
Fruit drinks containing added sugar
Peas
 
Sugar-sweetened soft drinks
Spinach
 
Sugar-cured meats (NB ham is often cured with salt and sugar)
Lettuce
 
Beer
Squash
 
 
Zucchini
 
 
Mushrooms
 
 
Asparagus
 
 
Artichokes
 
 
Cabbage
 
 
Celery
 
 
Cucumbers
 
 
Broccoli
 
 
Brussels sprouts
 
 
Eggplant
 
 
Onions
 
 
Apples
 
 
Lemons and limes
 
 
Pears
 
 
Cherries
 
 
Raspberries
 
 
Kiwis
 
 
Grapefruits
 
 
Apricots
 
 
Melons other than watermelon
 
 
Tomatoes
 
 
Tangerines and oranges
 
 
All other vegetables and fruits nor forbidden
 

Related Articles on Calories, Dieting and Weight Control

=> Q&A Do Menus with Walking Times to Burn Calories Lead to Healthier Choices

=> Dieting Myths Debunked - Calories from Protein, Fat, Carbs are Equal

=> Proven Ways to Increase Metabolism Naturally - Create a Calorie Deficit

=> Why Calorie Counts for Protein and Fiber are Inaccurate

=> At Last - Cause of Global Obesity Identified - We Passively Eat Too Many Calories

=> Zero Calorie Snacks that Fill You Up - Stop Perpetual Snacking

=> Low GI Food List and Diet Tips using the Glycemic Index





Why you should eliminate or drastically reduce sugar in your diet.
Why you should eliminate or drastically reduce sugar in your diet. Source: Public Domain
Many drinks contain very high amounts of added sugar. These drinks are banned in the sugar-free diet
Many drinks contain very high amounts of added sugar. These drinks are banned in the sugar-free diet. Source: Public Domain
Simple guide to the Sugar-Free Diet
Simple guide to the Sugar-Free Diet. Source: Public Domain
Fruit is a natural whole food that is good for you, but it contains very high levels of natural sugars and need to be restricted when dieting
Fruit is a natural whole food that is good for you, but it contains very high levels of natural sugars and need to be restricted when dieting. Source: Public Domain
In many ways most people are addicted to sugar and this is a major problem for weight loss and weight control methods. Learn more here.
In many ways most people are addicted to sugar and this is a major problem for weight loss and weight control methods. Learn more here.. Source: Public Domain