The theory behind the Sugar Addicts diet is that addiction to sugar, or glucose, causes mood swings as well as cravings because of extreme fluctuations in the body's insulin levels. Our diet plan review explains how the Sugar Addicts programme proposes to combat glucose addiction, and help you lose weight in the process.

In practice, the Sugar Addicts diet is similar to diet meal plans based on the glycaemic index. It's based on a 21-day programme, with follow-up advice for when the three week period of the main programme finishes. Every day of the programme focuses on a different goal, such as spotting hidden sugars in your diet, eating breakfast, and keeping motivated. The ultimate aim of the programme is to encourage you to eat regular meals and learn to make healthier nutritional choices.

What you'll have to give up:

Sugar Addicts diet meal plans ban all sugary foods and refined carbohydrates such as white brea, white rice and chips. As well as the obvious things like chocolate, cakes and fizzy drinks, you'll also have to avoid foods with hidden sugars such as dips, cooking sauces, ketchup and yoghurts.

What you're encouraged to eat:

High-fibre carbohydrates such as whole-wheat bread are recommended, as well as foods containing good fats, such as fish, nuts and seeds.

A book accompanies the programme including suggestions for diet meal plans and recipes, as well as advice for how to resist the temptation of sugary snacks, or how to cope with sugar-addicted children.

Although this is not primarily a weight-loss programme, it is very likely that you'll lose weight as a side effect of weaning yourself off sugary foods. However, whether you have a serious addiction to chocolate cake or not, there's plenty of sound advice on healthy eating included in this programme.