The Sugar Busters weight loss programme was developed in collaboration with a cardiologist, an endocrinologist and a gastroenterologist. As our diet plan review explains, it is based on the theory that glucose, not fat, makes us overweight. Too much glucose causes a rise in insulin levels, which causes you to crave more glucose, to overeat, and ultimately to put on more weight.

Sugar Busters diet meal plans eliminate all glucose; not only sweets, chocolate bars and cakes, but all sources of glucose. This means any food that is high on the glycaemic index, such as pasta, potatoes, beer and honey. It also includes refined and processed foods.

In place of starches and sugary foods, Sugar Busters recipes include lean proteins such as lean beef and chicken, vegetables such as beans and lettuce, and some low-fat dairy products. Many fruits are acceptable, in spite of being sweet, because they are have a low GI score. Whole grain foods are recommended.

There are pros and cons to following this programme. Positive points include:

No calorie counting
Eliminates many unhealthy foods
Encourages exercise
Recommends drinking plenty of water

However, there are some negatives to this programme:

Some vitamins and minerals are also eliminated from diet meal plans
Not suitable for vegetarians
Healthy foods are restricted, such as some fruit and vegetables

Despite the fact that much of the advice given by this programme is nutritionally sound, with saturated fats banned, and high fibre foods encouraged, the basic claim that glucose is toxic to the body goes against all scientific and nutritional research. All foods are ultimately broken down into glucose by the body, and this is the basic fuel that provides us with energy. Although it is true that refined cane sugar has no nutritional value, it is not poisonous to the body.