[SB] Sugar Buster! --- the book

[molly1844]

Hello Fellow SugarBusters!!

I don't know about you but I could use a SB "refresher course". And a nice dose of motivation.

:idea: I propose that we re-read and discuss the SB book a chapter or two at a time. I think it would help clarify the plan and encourage questions (and hopefully answers) for all of us.

I would like to start the discussion on Tuesday --- if that's ok with everyone?

molly :wiggle:

[Carol56]

Sounds like a real good idea Molly!! :thup:

[molly1844]

Please accept my apologies for not getting the book discussion started on time. I lent out my book and am having trouble getting it back. :mad:

I will see if the library has a copy tomorrow. With the revised version coming out in December I prefer not to buy a new copy.

molly :sunny:

[DianeNoSgr]

Great idea. I just ordered the book from the library because I realized I needed a refresher. Our library system is online, so it takes the work out of hunting for books. I should have it by Tuesday. Diane

[molly1844]

OK --- I finally got a copy of SB from the library. (I don't think my copy is going to find its way back home to me. :( )

Diane has your copy arrived?

How about we read the Intro and Chapter One and be ready to discuss it on Sunday? Is there anyone who would like to volunteer to do a brief summary of the Intro & Chapter One and post it? Doesn't have to be any thing fancy just the highlights. Then we can all add our two cents.

molly :heart:

[Daisy0816]

I will volunteer Molly.

It won't be exhaustive but enough to get the gist.

I will post it either Saturday night or Sunday morning, whichever comes first! :lol: :wiggle: :daze:

Talk you all soon!

Ehren

[molly1844]

I so appreciate you volunteering. :)

I'm looking forward to getting this rolling... it should be motivating and informative for all of us!

molly :wiggle:

[DianeNoSgr]

My copy arrived and get this -- it's paperback. I'd sure like to find one in a book store somewhere. I've heard a new edition is due out, so I guess I'll wait. Barnes & Noble had a hardcover, but they wanted $24 for it. I'll wait until December and order it from Amazon.

[Daisy0816]

I've not forgotten!!

I'll post it tonight or tomorrow!

Daisy

[dazzles]

I would love to be a part of this discussion! Our family is starting with SB this week. I have started the SB book, and I have finished feading SB for Kids. This could turn out to be a great support topic for the veterans and newbies alike.

Marsha

[molly1844]

Hi Marsha! Welcome to our little SB community.

Ehren will be posting the review of the 1st chapter soon (maybe today) so you arrived just in time :)

This should be fun

molly :heart:

[Daisy0816]

Sorry folks that I didn't get it posted this weekend! I broke out in hives from a new lotion I'd bought! Itch, itch, itch! It was a expensive one too so I was really surprized. Anyhoo...I'm going to get lunch and then get to posting the review!!

Ehren

[Daisy0816]

Sugar Busters!

Review & Discussion

Chapter 1 – Introduction

In this first chapter the authors of Sugar Busters! give a basic review of the diet. They introduce that this way of eating allows three full meals a day and appropriate snacks. Most foods are allowed, but that there are some combinations of foods that we should avoid. They do not give specifics here in the introduction, but make reference that some foods and combinations of foods will require the secretion of large amounts of insulin to regulate blood sugar.

The authors convey that refined sugar is toxic, and certain foods cause a definite strain on the health of the body, mind and our waistlines! They advise that fructose, sugar in fruit, will not normally hurt you, but eaten at the wrong time or in the wrong combinations can create both digestive and metabolic problems. The authors recommend a low sugar not a no sugar diet.

In this chapter the authors begin to explain the role that insulin plays in our bodies. Insulin has some good effects on our bodies such as regulating sugar levels but the bad effects caused by the overproduction of it is responsible for converting sugars into fat stores. It even goes so far as to impair the mobilization of previously stored fat making weight loss very difficult. Insulin also causes our livers to secrete cholesterol. They explain that when borderline diabetics can no longer control their diabetes with diet and exercise, they are given injections of insulin which raises cholesterol and causes steady weight gain.

They go on to give a basic overview of how carbohydrates are broken down into glucose in our bodies, which raises our blood sugar. They explain that at that point insulin is secreted by the pancreas to lower the blood sugar, but in the process insulin promotes the storage of fat and the elevation of cholesterol. Insulin also inhibits the breakdown of stored fats. They go on to explain that some of us are insulin resistant and require large amounts of insulin to regulate blood sugar.

Cheating is discouraged, but the authors encourage eating full meals and snacks from the foods listed in later chapters. High protein meals are advised as they do not stimulate significant amounts of insulin, the fat mobilization inhibitor, but high levels of glucagons the fat mobilizer instead. High carbohydrate meals thusly suppresses glucagon secretion. In this type of meal the stored-fat mobilizer is absent but the hormone to promote storage of fat is.

Alcohol is discouraged with the exception of the occasional red wine.

Exercise is explained to be almost immaterial to weight loss with this plan, but the authors go on to say that it is highly beneficial

Caution is given to over the counter medications as they contain sugars. Some prescription drugs can cause fluid retention, incread appetite and other changes that can lead to weight gain, however they caution not to amend any medication before consulting with your physician.

[Daisy0816]

Sugar Busters!

A Review and Study

Chapter 2

A Brief History of Refined Sugar

In this chapter the authors give an overview of the progress of refined sugars in our diets since the dawning of time!

Refined sugars as we know them were not introduced until the early seventeeth century. At this time sugar was being cautioned as observations were being made of it’s ill effects on the bodies of diabetic patients. Moderation was encouraged. It wasn’t until the early twentieth century, that more attempts were made to caution the public but fell on deaf ears as sugar was largely popular.

This chapter goes on to highlight the impact that sugar has played on society medically, socially and economically.

The authors explain that with the increase of refined sugars we are seeing equal increase in health problems resulting from it, namely but not limited to, diabetes.

Abandoning most refined sugars in our daily diets are mandated for Sugar Busters! to be a helpful tool for permanent weight loss.

[molly1844]

Super job Ehren! :clap:

You get the SugarBusters! Purple Heart for doing your duty under adverse circumstances . (how are the hives?)

I found the authors observations about the suppresion of information regarding the ill effects of sugar on the system just fascinating. Doesn't it just jar your preserves to discover how low an industry will stoop for greed and profit?

We are off to a good start --- looking forward to everyone's comments about the first two chapters.

molly :)

[DianeNoSgr]

Thanks you guys for keeping me enthused. I'm glad I have been re-reading the book as I had forgotten that eating fruit with a meal wasn't a good idea. I just had a peach and I waited two hours. Don't know what I'll do when all the good summer fruits and veggies are gone. Diane

[Daisy0816]

Personally, I think that the intro chapter went on a bit. The book itself isn't very long, it has bold type and appears double spaced (one of the benefits when having to read it). I felt as if they were trying to trying to stretch it out. This comes from my being a "just the facts" kinda person. I tend to avoid the intro's in book and get straight to the good stuff!

I will say that in the intro however, they did a wonderful job of explaining the importance of keeping fruit consumption outside of meals. Combining fruits with other foods does increase insulin release, and therefore you loose the benefits of this way of eating. I'm amazed at how many people just plainly ignor this. Alot of people claim if you don't have digestion problems then eating fruit with other foods is okay. I say keep it seperate for mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks and maintain the low insulin levels to maximize weight loss! :)

The chapter on the history of sugar was interesting, but I'm glad it was short.

Molly, I'm still itchy but beginning to recover! Thanks for your understanding.

Ehren

[pj2222]

Molly......I finally got this registration thing to work! It didn't like my short name, I guess. Added some numbers and it went right through. I was able to pick up the book at the library tonight, but only had time to skim through the first few pages. Tomorrow I'll try to do better. Reviewing the book is a great idea. Glad you started this.

[molly1844]

Hello pj! :wiggle:

Glad you made it! This is a great bunch of folks standing at the ready with lots of support.

molly :heart:

[Daisy0816]

I just know you will love this way of eating as much as we do!

Let us know if we can help.

Ehren

[DianeNoSgr]

Will eating this way improve my memory? I had breakfast an hour ago -- omelette and an orange. Duh. Now I'm hungry. I'm going to go beat myself up with the leftover orange peels. I need a refrigerator in the basement in which to store the fruit. If I have to hike to get it, maybe I'll remember when I'm supposed to eat it. Diane

[Daisy0816]

hey! keeping that frig in the basement is a great idea! Just think of all the aerobic exercise you'll get running up and down the steps for that apple or orange!! :lol:

Ehren

[molly1844]

You guys are a hoot! :)

Diane you may have invented a new exercise program.

Ehren I agree with you about the fruit issue. Seems like everyone overlooks the fact that there are other reasons to eat fruit alone besides indigestion. I prefer to have fruit for my snacks although I do occasionally have berries with my yogurt.


Dr. Bethea talks about the print size in the book in the Mendosa interviews on the SugarBuster.com site.
He didn't want anyone to have to squint to read the fine print after a hard day at work. The older I get the more I appreciate that concept. LOL! :)

molly :rose:

[Daisy0816]

The larage print was almost more exciting to me than "what" I was reading! It sure did make for easy reading, but I was thinking of what a short book it would be if it had been type set the regular way.

I don't know about you but I'm so STOKED for the new book to hit the presses, I can hardly stand it!

I'm certain it will be a book on "fine tuning" this woe, as the public has all but demanded it.

**Hey....did I just hear someone run down the stairs???

:lol: :lol:

Ehren

[pj2222]

Okay.....I've finally read these 2 chapters tonight. It's funny what jumps out at you when you re-read the book. Here's my take in a nutshell.......natural and not honey-roasted!!

1. Refined sugar is toxic & makes you fat, while fructose will not normally hurt you.
2. Low-sugar.....not no-sugar
3. There is a definite insulin/cholesterol connection. More sugar causes more insulin which causes more cholesterol.
4. After high-protein meal, glucagan is released which helps you burn stored fat.....unlike a high carb meal which produces insulin which promotes fat storage.
5. This is not a diet for excessive exercisers...they need more glucose.
6. The message in this book can prolong lives and improve the quality of life.
7. Women have more trouble losing than men....their metabolic rate is naturally lower. Also hormone therapy aggravates this.
8. Many over-the-counter meds can cause water retention.
9. There a numerous sugar-induced medical problems.
10. We are all 'hooked' on sugar and don't want to hear that it is bad for us.
11. In order for this 'diet' to work, we must be in the frame of mind to give up most sugar consumption----can't cheat or be half-hearted or it won't work.
12. YOU are the one to benefit from a low-sugar diet. . . and you won't need any expensive pills or packaged food - just buy the right stuff at the grocery store.

[Molly22669]

Thank you so much for the wonderful sum-up of the first two chapters!! I am going to get my book off of my bedside table and start reading it again. :) I do have a question though; My DH and I have never been drinkers but I am wondering if it would be beneficial to start taking a glass of wine a couple of times a week? Any thoughts?

[molly1844]

OKMolly! Good to see you.

Dry Red Wine in moderation is permissable on SB but if you are not drinkers, check out the Thread on Purple Grape Juice here in the SB Forum.. it gives you the same if not better benefits that wine does.

molly :)

[DianeNoSgr]

If you're not drinkers, how about red grapes? That way you get the whole package. Also, grape juice is cheaper than wine.

I'm reading "Sugar Blues" which was written 27 years ago. I'm only 80 pages into it, but it is really interesting that the theme seems to be, "Sugar is as addictive as opium." I would say, "Amen," to that. It talks about diseases that arose the same time as refined sugar.

I'm on Estrogen and I've been wondering why it's so hard to lose -- even on SB. I lost 13 and gained a couple back.

The grandkids were over last night. Want to guess what they had as treats? Not the usual sugary fare that grandma always gave them. String cheese and fruit.

Have a great day everybody. Diane

[molly1844]

Diane I love your photo --- killer smile! You don't look old enough to be a Grandma.

I am working on healthier snacks for my grandbaby too. I made some dynamite blueberry bran muffins that he really liked.

[DianeNoSgr]

Thanks for the nice words. Yes, I'm a grandma to 7 -- 5 girls, 2 boys. I'm soon going to be closer to 60 than 50. Yikes. Outta here to go cook salmon. Yummy. Diane

[Debra1953]

Corn is for cattle; potatoes are for pigs.....that's how farmers fatten up their livestock.....makes sense to me!

[molly1844]

Is there anyone who would like to do a summary of the next two chapters? The summary should be posted on Sunday.

I thought it would be easier and more fun if we took turns.

molly :heart:

[Daisy0816]

This was a really good idea...let's keep it up. The chapters get more interesting as the book goes along.

I lent my copy to my father who just found out he's got diabetes, otherwise, I'd volunteer to do the next chapter.

Someone, anyone want to do a summary for the next chapter??

Ehren

[molly1844]

Ehren --- I'll try to get the summary of the next chapter posted tomorrow.
molly :)

[DianeNoSgr]

DH is really on the ball. He took my SB back to the library. Oops. When I return from VT Oct. 9, I'll check it out again and then I'll post a chapter. Sorry folks. Diane

[molly1844]

Chapter Three explores some weight loss myths.

1) CALORIES: Although there are a number of studies indicating that calorie intake is not a reliable indicator of weight gain or weight loss, that research has been largely ignored by the medical community.

Low Calorie diets don't work in the long run as the body slows down the metabolism in order to compensate for the lowered calorie intake.

The authors state that calories are not as important as the type of foods eaten.

2) FATS & WEIGHT GAIN
Fats do not cause weight gain. Monounsaturated fats (olive oil, canola oil) are heart healthy and can combat cardiovascular disease. A diet heavy on carbs and low on fats & protein can raise trigycerides.

3) CHOLESTEROL:
Countries with higher fat consumption had lower instances of heart disease. Total cholesterol readings are not a reliable indicator of a healthy heart.

4) ALCOHOL: Beer bad!(think beer belly) Dry Red Wine Good! (in moderation)

molly :)

[pj2222]

My book made it back to the library, too! I did read chapters 3 & 4, but failed to get on the computer to post anything. Gotta check out the book again next week. Not enough hours in the day!! :daze:

[molly1844]

any volunteers to do the next chapter?

molly

[RonaMoore]

Hi,
I haven"t posted yet. My name is Rona Moore and I have the book in front of me.
Chapter 4 is about Digestion and Metabolism. The authors feel that the digestion and metabolism of foods are the keys in maintaining good nutrition and normal body weight. They go into specifics of the digestive process with suggestions for improving both.
1. Chew your food into smaller pieces because the smaller the pieces of food are the easier they are to digest. This also helps to prevent indigestion.
2. Don't eat a fatty meal later in the evening or at night because it can lead to acid reflux and extreme discomfort. This also can occur after heavy drinking and then eating.
3. Because fiber is the last thing that the stomach digests, carbohydrates with fiber, such as stone-ground wheat bread, whole-wheat pasta, beans, yams, etc. will take longer to digest, and thus have a much lower insulin-stimulating effect.
They briefly describe metabolism, then go into carbohydrates and how they break down.
While all carbohydrates break down into glucose, so break down much faster than others. Those that break down fast into glucose have a high glycemic index value, going down a continum to those that are much slower to break down which have a low glycemic value.
Proteins mostly break down into amino acids which can then be used to build up protein in our cells, or turned into glucose.
Fats must be digested through the actions of pacreatic enzymes. Its a complicated process. Cells use fat for a number of important functions.
They also talk about cholesterol and what it really is.
I hope this helps.
Rona :wave:

[molly1844]

Great Summary Rona! :clap:
Thanks for doing this.

I have an awful habit of just gulping down my food. Guess it's from years of short lunch breaks. I relly need to slow down and chew my food more carefully. Looks like that really helps promote more efficent digestion.


molly :rheart: