The Sugar Blockers Diet by Thompson, Rob; with the editors of Prevention Magazine (2012) Hardcover

by Rob Thompson

This groundbreaking plan teaches readers to outsmart blood sugar spikes so they can eat the carbs they love and still lose weight.
Starches are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to the nation’s weight problems. Starches spike blood sugar levels, which can make losing weight nearly impossible. Unfortunately, many of favorite foods—pasta, bread, rice—are the worst offenders. But who wants to cut out these delicious dishes and feel deprived?
By focusing on certain foods that slow the effect of starches on blood sugar, The Sugar Blockers Diet offers a smart eating strategy that can be maintained for life. These foods, called sugar blockers, include all kinds of everyday foods from steak or cheese to vinaigrette or a glass of wine. Learning how to include these foods at every meal will not only help readers lose weight, but also help them reverse insulin resistance and defend against diabetes.
In addition to a robust list of sugar blocking foods and strategies, the book includes:
more than 50 tantalizing, nutrient-rich recipes
an easy, fun walking plan proven to balance blood sugar and help the pounds melt away
a proven plan on which real men and women lost up to 18½ pounds and 9¼ inches in just 6 short weeks

Genres: Nonfiction

388 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2011

Reviews

[Frederick Gault]

In short: exercise! fat and meat are not necessarily bad for you, don't drink soda, diet or otherwise EVER. low-fat food is really bad for you. The food industry is interested in packing as much product (notice I don't use the word "food" here) into your body. This stuff will make you fat and sick. You go along with this because carbohydrates with salt and sugar taste really good and billions are spent to convince you that crap is really good for you. Meanwhile the medical and medical insurance industries are loving this junk food because sick people buy drugs, insurance and medical care as they suffer and die needlessly from products called "healthy" that are as good for you as chain smoking unfiltered cigarettes.

What to do? Exercise, eat vegetables and meat, avoid packaged food.

[Thomas]

The more I read about health issues the more I am convinced that sugar and starch are the root of all evil.

This book is an easy read but makes a scientific case for staying away from simple carbs but also gives some methods to eat carbs but slow the absorption so you don't get the insulin rush.

As someone who has struggled staying on Atkins I appreciated the information on how to add some carbs without blowing the diet.

[Mom]

This diet has changed my life. So much simpler to watch carbs than to watch calories. Phew.

[Sheri]

Gave up starches four days ago. Had a headache for 2 days but not hungry. Seems like
i am eating more.

[Melquiades]

When young I was an athlete, when adult I’ve gained some weight and always relying on my muscular mass never paid attention to the reality until during a routine medical examination the doctor said I was obese in first degree. I’ve tried many diets without success until I’ve read this book and honestly it explains in a comprehensive way what you are doing wrong with your body. I’ve followed some simple steps, some sacrifice and the results are evident: no more sweating, more energy and losing weight. I’ll write another review in 3 months but I’m really happy with the results and it is easy because I understand how my body reacts to sugars.

[Cindy]

Very interesting! I am going to try this plan so I have purchased this book and the cookbook that goes with it. Contact me if you want to know how it is going. Dropping the carb levels will be the hardest part. Love my bread and crackers!

[Julie]

As a "diet" book, this one is different and interesting. Written by a cardiologist, his main point is that obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are all symptoms of insulin resistance. The best way to re-sensitize your body to insulin is to gain muscle mass and reduce the amount of refined carbs (starches) in your daily diet. If you slow down the way your body digests carbs (the "blockers" part of the title), it will help your poor, overworked pancreas in that it will be required to produce less insulin. Thompson recommends, at the most basic levels, that you eat carbs AFTER you eat your fat and protein, lower the total number of carbs you eat daily, and do exercises that help you build muscle mass (weight lifting rather than "cardio" workouts.) I found it well-researched (lots of references to various medical studies) and an interesting approach to eating. I'm tempted to buy a copy, actually, since mine is due back at the library, and I think this is something I'd like to re-read and re-visit occasionally.

[Leni Davis]

Some good information about foods that will slow the absorption of sugar into the blood stream. The premise being that if you have to eat things that are high in simple carbs, these other foods will help offset the impact on your post meal blood sugar.

If you've used or studied low carb diets for any length of time, you'll recognize a lot of the ideas. IN my opinion, the diet itself is kind of a blend between The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet and Protein Power.

The recipes were not of particular interest to me. I'm very comfortable in the kitchen, but most of the recipes contained things I wouldn't have on hand, and most of my family wouldn't eat. I don't have time to cook multiple meals. The recipes might be great, they just didn't fit my style of cooking, so I didn't find that helpful.

[Lynda]

Talked about eating vinegar or fat before your other food to slow down the spike in your blood sugar. Also talked about drugs you could take to lower the spike. Said to eat only 2 servings of starches a day.

[Nancy Wilson]

Some suggestions for changing the order of your courses. Some suggestions for foods to incorporate. Some suggestions for spices but the amounts seem improbable. I am trying some of the ideas.