If you're counting calories and trying to slim your waistline and it doesn't seem to be working, The Belly Fat Cure author and fitness coach Jorge Cruise says he knows why! "It's not about eating less, it's about learning to eat the right amount of sugar and carbs," he says. "The reason we're addicted to sugar and carbs is because it's an actual opiate, which means it's a fancy word for pain killer!" So when you turn to sugar as a comfort food, Jorge says those emotional eating moments could be the key to what's derailing your figure. "Here's what sugar does - it causes our hormones - insulin - to go up and when we have high insulin levels, you lock in belly fat."

With that information in mind, Jorge says dieters should stop counting calories and start counting sugars and carbs. "The goal - 15 grams a day of sugar, 6 servings of carbs - so that's like a piece of whole wheat bread, half a cup of pasta, something like that. So you can still eat sugar, you can still eat carbs - you just don't want to overdo it. The average American will eat about 186 grams of sugar per day and our goal is 15 grams!"

Since weight loss is something that so many people deal with, Rachael asks Jorge to help a viewer whose diet has plateaued and he takes her through her grocery cart to find the hidden sugars! Get his tips below:

Instant Oatmeal. "This oatmeal has about 20 grams of sugar per serving, it's the equivalent of like four pieces of white bread," Jorge says. "It's fine if you have kids that are in high school and playing football, but if you're not doing that and you're trying to get smaller and not grow [it's] not the best thing." Instead, he suggests having eggs for breakfast. "I would have one or two eggs, any style, with the yolk, with whole wheat bread in the morning."

Fruit. "The average apple or just one banana, based on the size, is about 14 to 20 grams of sugar. That's fine if you have kids at home that are trying to gain weight or are trying to grow, but if you're trying to get smaller, what you want to go for are the berries, like the blueberries, blackberries, raspberries ... they're the low-sugar fruits." Also, don't make the fruit an entire meal, serve it as a side dish or for a snack with whipped cream. "It's cream and there's only like one gram of sugar - you do this cream with five or six drops of blueberries? It's a delicious treat!"

Crackers. At snack time, Jorge suggests skipping the crackers, which could have 10 to 12 grams of sugar, and simply having cheese, which has no sugar. "You can also do nuts, nuts are great."

Low-fat pudding. Even though the low-fat title suggests it is good for your diet, Jorge points out these snack containers can be packed with sugar. "What you want to do instead of this is a simple delicious dessert, try almond butter or peanut butter with whipped cream on top with those berries. You'll [have] like two or three grams of sugar and it's so indulgent!" Other options: dark chocolate or a glass or two of wine.

Only Online: Read an excerpt of Jorge Cruise's book The Belly Fat Cure. Of course, you should always check with your physician before starting any weight loss regime or diet plan.

Related Links

Jorge Cruise