
The No Sugar No Grains diet (NSNG) is a nutritional approach that involves eliminating all grains and processed sugars from one's diet. It was coined by celebrity personal trainer Vinnie Tortorich after he received a leukemia diagnosis in 2007. Tortorich's doctor recommended focusing on nutritious animal-based whole foods and cutting out most carbs, including added sugars and high-carb grains. After recovering from leukemia, Tortorich maintained the NSNG diet, reporting increased energy levels and improved athletic performance. The NSNG diet is often seen as an entry point to more formal low-carb, high-fat diets like keto and carnivore. While it may offer benefits such as reduced inflammation and stable energy levels, it also has potential drawbacks and may not be suitable for everyone.
No Sugar No Grains Diet Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Creator | Celebrity personal trainer Vinnie Tortorich |
| Purpose | To help Tortorich's body heal after a Leukemia diagnosis |
| Focus | Animal-based whole foods |
| Exclusions | Added sugars, grains, most carbs |
| Benefits | More energy, improved athletic performance, reduced inflammation, stable blood sugar levels |
| Drawbacks | Lack of guidelines may impede people from getting the most out of the diet |
| Other names | NSNG, grain-free diet, no-sugar diet, carnivorous vegan |
| Community | Facebook group, NSNG Book Club, Vinnie Tortorich's YouTube channel |
| Foods to eat | Meat, vegetables, healthy fats, fruit, legumes, nuts, seeds, dairy, eggs |
| Foods to avoid | Bread, pasta, crackers, quinoa, chocolate milk, honey, maple syrup, artificial sweeteners |
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What You'll Learn
- The NSNG diet involves eliminating all grains and processed sugars
- The diet was coined by celebrity trainer Vinnie Tortorich
- NSNG is a gateway to other low-carb diets like keto and carnivore
- NSNG focuses on animal-based whole foods and healthy fats
- Benefits include increased energy, reduced inflammation, and stable blood sugar

The NSNG diet involves eliminating all grains and processed sugars
The No Sugar No Grains (NSNG) diet was coined by celebrity personal trainer Vinnie Tortorich after he received a leukemia diagnosis in 2007. To help his body heal, Tortorich's doctor recommended focusing on nutritious animal-based whole foods and cutting out most carbs, including added sugars and high doses of carbohydrates from grains.
NSNG involves eliminating all grains and processed sugars. This includes whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and wheat, as well as all products derived from grains, such as pasta, bread, crackers, and refined wheat flour. Sugar is often hidden in many products, and it goes by over 60 names, including glucose, fructose, sucrose, corn syrup, honey, and maple syrup. Even natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup are considered added sugars and should be avoided.
While fruit is not explicitly eliminated on NSNG, most fruits are high in sugar and are best avoided, especially when starting the diet. Instead, the focus is on eating lots of meat, vegetables, and healthy fats. Some people following NSNG may also choose to boost their fat intake and restrict carbs further to enter ketosis, a state of elevated ketones in the blood.
The NSNG diet is more of a guideline than a formal diet and is often an entry point to more formal low-carb, high-fat diets like keto and carnivore. By cutting out sugar and carbs, proponents of NSNG claim that energy levels will be more stable, and it will be easier to tap into the benefits of intermittent fasting. Additionally, a grain-free diet may offer health benefits such as improved digestion, reduced inflammation, and lower blood sugar levels.
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The diet was coined by celebrity trainer Vinnie Tortorich
The No Sugar No Grains diet, also known as NSNG, was coined by celebrity trainer Vinnie Tortorich after he received a leukemia diagnosis in 2007. His doctor recommended focusing on nutritious animal-based whole foods and cutting out most carbs, including added sugars and high doses of carbohydrates from grains.
Tortorich found that this diet gave him more energy and boosted his athletic performance to the highest levels of his life, while also reducing inflammation and shortening his recovery time after workouts. Based on these positive personal experiences, he began recommending the diet to his fitness clients, who also saw dramatic results.
The NSNG diet involves eliminating all grains and processed sugars from your diet. In a podcast, Tortorich referred to this approach as being a "carnivorous vegan," which means eating lots of meat and fresh vegetables, with some fruit. It is worth noting that a true carnivore diet eliminates all plant foods, including grains and vegetables.
The NSNG diet is more of a guideline than a formal diet, and it can be a great starting point for people who want to transition to more formal low-carb, high-fat diets like keto and carnivore. By cutting out sugar and carbs, many people on the NSNG diet also boost their fat intake and restrict carbs to enter ketosis, a state of elevated ketones (energy molecules) in the blood.
Tortorich has a Facebook community and a podcast called "Fitness Confidential" where people can learn more about the NSNG lifestyle and connect with others following the same diet and lifestyle. He has also authored a PDF guide and a book, "Fitness Confidential: Adventures in the Weight-Loss Game," which provide detailed instructions and advice on how to follow the NSNG approach and improve one's health.
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NSNG is a gateway to other low-carb diets like keto and carnivore
The No Sugar, No Grains (NSNG) diet is a popular eating pattern that eliminates two key food groups: sugar and grains. This diet is also often referred to as the "keto-carnivore diet" because it shares some similarities with both the ketogenic (keto) and carnivore diets, which are well-known low-carb eating plans.
NSNG is considered a gateway to these other low-carb diets because it offers a relatively simple and straightforward approach to reducing carbohydrate intake. By cutting out sugar and grains, followers of the NSNG diet automatically reduce their consumption of processed foods, simple carbohydrates, and added sugars, which are typically high in calories and low in nutritional value. This initial step can help individuals see results and feel motivated to continue their dietary journey towards keto or carnivore.
The NSNG diet serves as a gentle introduction to the world of low-carb eating. It is less restrictive than keto or carnivore, as it still allows for the consumption of starchy vegetables, fruits, and some dairy products. This flexibility makes NSNG more accessible and easier to adhere to for those who are new to low-carb diets. By starting with NSNG, individuals can gradually adjust their eating habits and develop a better understanding of the impact of carbohydrates on their bodies.
Furthermore, NSNG shares many of the same principles as keto and carnivore diets. All three diets emphasize the reduction of carbohydrate intake and encourage a focus on whole, unprocessed foods. NSNG, however, does not require the strict monitoring of macronutrient ratios or the extreme limitation of plant-based foods that are typically seen in keto and carnivore diets. This makes it a more manageable first step for those who want to explore the potential benefits of low-carb eating without committing fully to the restrictions of keto or carnivore.
For those who embrace the NSNG diet and experience success, it can serve as a natural stepping stone to explore the keto or carnivore diets further. The keto diet, for example, involves a significant reduction in carbohydrate intake to induce a metabolic state called ketosis, where the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose. The carnivore diet, on the other hand, is even more restrictive, advocating for the consumption of only animal-based foods, including meat, fish, and certain dairy products, while eliminating all plant-based foods.
In conclusion, the No Sugar, No Grains (NSNG) diet serves as an excellent gateway for individuals interested in exploring the world of low-carb eating. Its simplicity, effectiveness, and shared principles with keto and carnivore diets make it a powerful first step towards adopting a healthier and more sustainable approach to nutrition. For those who find success with NSNG, the diet can open the door to further exploration and the potential long-term adoption of keto or carnivore, leading to a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle.
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NSNG focuses on animal-based whole foods and healthy fats
The No Sugar No Grains (NSNG) diet is more of a guideline than a formal diet. It involves eliminating all grains and processed sugars from your diet. The NSNG approach focuses on animal-based whole foods and healthy fats. This includes meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats like olive oil, avocado oil, and full-fat dairy.
NSNG was coined by celebrity personal trainer Vinnie Tortorich after he received a leukemia diagnosis in 2007. Tortorich's doctor recommended he focus on nutritious animal-based whole foods and cut out most carbs, including added sugars and high-carb grains. After recovering from leukemia, Tortorich found that the NSNG diet gave him more energy and boosted his athletic performance while reducing inflammation and shortening his recovery time after workouts.
The NSNG diet is often used as an entry point into more formal low-carb, high-fat diets like keto and carnivore. While NSNG does not require specific macronutrient ratios, many people who follow this diet intentionally boost their fat intake and restrict carbs to enter ketosis. This involves cutting out grains and added sugars while increasing the consumption of nutritious whole foods.
It is important to note that a true carnivore diet eliminates all plant foods, including both grains and vegetables, whereas NSNG allows for the inclusion of vegetables and some fruit. However, most fruits are high in sugar and are best avoided, especially when starting an NSNG diet. The NSNG diet focuses on highly satiating fatty whole foods, which can provide stable energy levels and make it easier to tap into the benefits of intermittent fasting.
The NSNG diet has potential health benefits, such as improved digestion, reduced inflammation, and stable energy levels. However, it may also have drawbacks, and it may not be suitable for everyone. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before starting any new diet or making significant changes to your current diet.
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Benefits include increased energy, reduced inflammation, and stable blood sugar
The No Sugar, No Grains (NSNG) diet is more of a guideline than a formal diet. It involves cutting out all grains and processed sugars and replacing them with fresh meat and vegetables. Some fruit is allowed, but most fruits are high in sugar and are best avoided, especially at the beginning of the diet.
The NSNG diet has several purported benefits, including increased energy, reduced inflammation, and stable blood sugar.
Increased Energy
Cutting out sugar and carbohydrates can lead to more stable energy levels, with no more spikes and troughs. This is because carbohydrates cause the body to release the hormone ghrelin, which increases hunger cravings. By cutting out carbs and focusing on highly satiating fatty whole foods like steak, eggs, and butter, dieters may find they have more stable energy levels.
Reduced Inflammation
The NSNG diet is said to reduce inflammation in the body. This is because grains are said to contain irritating plant toxins and antinutrients. By cutting out grains, some people may experience a reduction in inflammation, particularly those with certain autoimmune diseases like celiac disease.
Stable Blood Sugar
A grain-free diet is said to improve blood sugar levels. Grains are high in sugar and can cause spikes in blood sugar levels. By eliminating grains and processed sugars, the NSNG diet may help to stabilise blood sugar levels.
While the NSNG diet has these potential benefits, it is important to note that it may also have drawbacks and may not be suitable for everyone. It is always recommended to speak to a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or making significant changes to your eating habits.
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Frequently asked questions
The No Sugar No Grains (NSNG) diet is a guideline that involves cutting out all grains and processed sugars from your diet. It was coined by celebrity personal trainer Vinnie Tortorich after he received a Leukemia diagnosis in 2007.
The NSNG diet calls for eating lots of meat, vegetables, and some fruit. It also includes healthy fats like grass-fed butter, coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil, and full-fat dairy.
The NSNG diet is said to offer various health benefits, including improved digestion, reduced inflammation, and more stable energy levels. It may also help with weight loss and improved blood sugar levels.
Start by reading labels and eliminating all sources of added sugars and grains from your diet. You can also join the NSNG Facebook community for support and resources.











































