Lee, who boasts a large following on TikTok, drew 3.6 million views with a video in which he showcased his muscular build and his sugar-free journey in four years. The video, titled “I haven’t eaten sugar in 4 years… Should I give in and eat a donut?”, explained why he is committed to this strict dietary choice.
“No sugar for four years straight? You heard me right, but why?”, Lee said. “For the past four years of my life I haven’t cheated on my diet once. Not once. Was it necessary? No. Do I recommend it to everyone? Probably not.
“But for many people who are similar to myself, the quote-unquote balanced diet with the occasional pop tart or sweet treat that seems so unbelievably appealing often leads me down the route of adding more and more processed foods and excess calories into my diet.”
Tristyn Lee, a fitness TikToker, has gone sugar-free for four years. Photo courtesy of Tristyn Lee
For Lee, completely cutting out sugar has been more manageable than trying to limit it. By doing so, he can get rid of processed foods, making calorie counting less of a concern.
Lee’s method is known as the “elimination diet,” which is often used by individuals who have food intolerances or allergies, according to Medical News Today. While some experts suggest these diets should only be followed for a limited time, Lee finds it simpler to maintain a strict regimen.
“With no cookies in the cupboard, all temptations are out of sight and out of mind,” Lee said.
He has also chosen to remove “cheat days” which are breaks from a diet that allow for indulgent eating, because he prefers consistency.
“No cheat meals, no cheat days, and consistently eating nutrient-dense foods you’ll likely notice improvements in energy, mood, and find yourself falling off track far less than if you’re jumping in and out of your diet,” he added.
However, not all nutrition experts agree with Lee.
Abby Langer, a registered Canadian dietician, warned that eliminating cheat days can feel too rigid and people should focus on intuitive eating instead, Newsweek reported.
Public response to Lee’s approach has been mixed. Some admire his dedication and find inspiration in his all-or-nothing mentality, while others see it as unnecessarily extreme.
In response to the criticism, Lee acknowledged that his strategy may not be for everyone. “Give this a shot for a few weeks and see how you feel. And at the end of the day, this is simply what works for me and it may not work for you.”
Lee began his bodybuilding journey at age 15, following a strict ketogenic diet with 70% of his calories from fats, 25% from protein and just 5% from carbohydrates. While some have speculated that his impressive muscle mass at such low body fat levels might be due to steroid use, no concrete evidence was found.
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