Anyone know anything about this Southbeach Diet?

[Deep13]

My wife is trying it. The first phase, I guess, is to ween the body off sugar. So for the first 2 weeks, she doesn't eat any sugar. That is not just refined sugar, but starch and carbohydrates too. Doesn't that seem kind of dangerous? My understanding is that the body relies on two different fuel souces: fat and sugars. Fat consumption in aroebic while sugar consumption is anaroebic. The problem is, not everthing in the body can burn fat. Brain and nervous activity, for example, must burn sugar. Without sugar coming in, the liver converts proteins into sugar. So several days in, she's craving sugar and especially chocolate and is getting headaches. I wonder if she is simply starved for glucose.

Any thoughts (not including actual medical advice)?

[Atman]

1. It works very well, and is safe, but has a high re-bound rate

It is also to help you get motivated, because you'll drop weight right away, and keep you wanting to do more. But I don't know anyone (and I have several friends who've gone on it, including my wife) who have been able to stay with it.

There is a much better diet out there, which has worked for literally eons..."Eat Less, Excercise More."

South Beach would be way to restrictive for me. I lost 55 pounds -- 8 years ago, and kept it all off -- just by cutting out fat, and making lifestyle changes. I started playing league volleyball, and walking to the store instead of taking the car. If you have to order fast food, only get the small sizes. Eat yogurt (which naturally burns weight). CUT OUT THE FAT. I can now eat anything I want. Seriously. Not AS MUCH as I may want, but I no longer want as much because my body had adjusted. Just eat less, and exercise. If it's in a best-selling book, it's just a fad and will not last. That is why there are so many best-selling diet books.

(Your results may vary).

[rainy]

2. read some raw food books and learn what nature really intended us to eat:

Raw fruits, leafy tender greens, veggies and seed/nuts. No other animal cooks their food. Plus, for years scientists have been baffled by the fact that our white blood count goes up when we eat cooked food. they have now discovered that when you eat raw food this doesn't happen. Cooked fats are cancer causing. We shouldn't be eating them. When we eat cooked food the enzymes that are required to process them are killed using our limited stash to process them. This depletes our own supply and caused cell deterioration.

Another fact: red blood and chlorophyll are almost exact in chemical make-up, so bodies that need to make new cells daily should be given the best fuel.

[Skidmore]

9. Sorry, I refuse to eat my chicken raw.

[Atman]

19. I eat chicken in the raw sometimes

But I never, ever cook bacon in the raw.

Sheesh. I can't believe you don't like Chicken Tartar.

.

[Skidmore]

22. Barbarian!!

:evilgrin:

[rainy]

26. Why do you guys always ignore me on the raw food thing? you want your

utopia government but wont consider the true diet we were intended to eat. It should be as evident and as plain as the noses on your faces.

[TommyO]

47. Because a "true diet" is as ludicrous as a "true religion"

a "true god" or anything else that somebody claims is the one "true" thing.

[MissMillie]

59. First couple of weeks is low-carb, lean protein

after that, it relies on the glycemic index and focuses on right carbs (versus low-carb) and again, lean protein.

It's a very healthy way to eat.

[grace0418]

63. I like cooked food. In fact, I love it. I enjoy raw, fresh food as well. And I

certainly don't boil or otherwise cook all the nutrients out of my food. But if I couldn't enjoy hot meals on a regular basis I would lose the will to live. Cooking is one of the greatest pleasures in my life.

[hashibabba]

3. I'm sorry, I don't know anything about that particiular diet, but

I don't think it would kill her for two weeks, just to kick the diet off.

Going off sugar is good for you and hopefully she'll stay off it for good. If she craves sweets, there is a great supplement out there that will help. Its called gymnema. I LOVE sweets and this is the second time I've taken the gymnema sylvestre. It really works for me, I don't even miss desserts from the first day I'm on it. I've been on it for two months and haven't had dessert at all (nor did I crave it or miss it). I'm out of it right now and I still don't feel like dessert, but I'm expecting a shipment any time now.

Some people will disagree with me, but I buy good (& expensive) vitamins and other supplements. I believe you get what you pay for in most brands of vitamins.

[Atman]

17. Two weeks is just the most restrictive phase. It goes on and on...

Week three allows you to add back in a few things. Week four says you can eat (X), but no (Y). It is another "plan," not much different than Nutri-System mailing you crates of food that is the ONLY thing you can eat. People just can't keep that up. It isn't in our nature. You cannot lose weight and keep it off without looking at your entire lifestyle. Do you drink? TONS of empty, sugary calories. If you drink, stop for a few weeks. You'll probably lose more weight than on South Beach (which, not coincidentally, forbids anyalcohol during those first two weeks). Vitamins and sups are good, but only as part of the overall lifestyle change.

.

[helderheid]

4. Phase 1 isn't a no carb phase - you get your carbs from dairy and veggies n/t

[Rosemary2205]

33. Exactly

the point is to ween someone off excessive and simple carbs and move them more toward the complex and high fiber carbs.

[Warpy]

5. It's a deficiency diet like all the low carb diets

The two week, ultra low carb period won't do her any harm if she's in reasonable health. After that, complex carbs are introduced at various levels. There are even breads that are approved in very small amounts.

It's a whole lot safer than Atkins because it relies on low fat proteins, admits things like legumes and a wide variety of veggies, and generally points people in the right direction as to which foods to eat.

In fact, South Beach and Sugar Busters are two of the best ones of the bunch, as they don't overload the system with fats and proteins; rather, they rely on large servings of low calorie veggies to fill people up.

Still, it's a deficiency diet. People do eventually crack and pig out on chocolate cake. If they last long enough, though, that cake will gag them after a few bites. They really will lose much of that sweet tooth, and that's a good thing for anyone's health.

I can't approve of it, but I can't disapprove of it, either. It's more balanced than most formal diets out there and people do lose weight on it.

[Marie26]

6. You will lose weight quickly,

and gain it back just as fast.

[kwyjibo]

7. I don't know anything about the health risks

but they do say that Phase 1 is not meant to be used as a long term diet.. so it's probably not the greatest thing for your body. It seems to work for a lot of people though, and seems like a good idea to try to break the habit of eating so much starch and carbohydrates.

[helderheid]

8. .

[Iwasthere]

10. I have gone on a low carb no sugar diet

... after a couple of weeks without any sugar (and sugar is everywhere, so it's hard to do) I feel GREAT! I do the Atkins and monitored my body all through 2 years with my doctor. We watched all my numbers drop dramatically. My Triglycerides dropped from 700 to one hundred something and my cholesteral went from 320 to 160. My good numbers went up and all the bads went down. The doc is absolutely behind this diet for me. She can't understand it, says that fat is supposed to be bad, but she is now behind it. Same ol myth; People think if you eat fat it turns to fat. they can't seem to comprehend that fat is needed (including my wife who is a director for Jenny Craig). I eats tons of bacon, steaks etc... I have never been healthier.

[hashibabba]

21. I was on Atkins for about a year-and-a-half one time. It was

great. I've never had hips so small! Every time I'd go on it, I'd had to throw away all kinds of stuff in my cupboards because there's some kind of sugar in almost everything. I do disagree with another poster who said that you're limited to only a few items. I always found plenty to eat and never felt deprived.

[TechBear_Seattle]

11. It is pretty safe

It is not all carbohydrates, only those that usually cause rapid changes in blood glucose levels. The first two or three week "induction phase" is to help break the physiological desire for high carb foods; this desire is an evolutionary benefit from a time when high energy carbs were scarce. This time period is safe, as carbs are merely restricted and not eliminated, and it is a short enough period of time not to cause any health problems if the rest of the diet is followed.

During the phase 2, South Beach sticks to the standard American Heart Association diet which calls for about 50% of all calories to come from carbohydrate sources. The only restriction is to stick with carbs that do not cause rapid changes in blood glucose, so things like rice, pasta, processed flour and added sugar of any kind are avoided while fruits and whole grains are actively pursued. Phase 3, the "maintenance phase," looses those restrictions somewhat.

All in all, the South Beach diet is pretty safe, as long as you stick with the guidelines. Effective is a different matter. While there is evidence that maintaining an even blood sugar does help with weight loss, there is just as much evidence that the effectiveness of the South Beach diet may actually come from having an eating plan and eating controlling portions.

[KatyaR]

49. I think it's one of the better diets out there, but after doing it

for several months, I would recommend that anyone starting Phase 1 actually start phasing out their sugars, etc., a few weeks before actually beginning the diet. Going off cold turkey is hard for a lot of people. If you're really enthusiastic about it, that can help, but most of us have a hard time stopping all that at once.

With this diet, it's easy to fall into the habit of eating the same thing over and over again and getting bored really quickly. It seems to be easier to do this diet in the summer when you can get lots of fresh vegetables.

My biggest advice is to have your wife do some searches for South Beach recipes on the internet. I found hundreds of them, and most of them were much easier and not as "frou-frouy" as the "official" recipes in the books. There are several forums and message boards that are good reading, too, and she can get a lot of information that way.

You can spend a fortune on food starting out, so don't be alarmed. I needed a lot of supplies that I didn't have in the house because I mainly ate microwave dinners and sandwiches, and I bet I spend almost $300 the first couple of weeks. After a while it tapers out, but I still had a pretty high food bill, but it's because you eat fresh, healthy foods, and not processed crap.

All in all, I think it's a really healthy diet, and I need to go back on it simply to eat better. I just got tired of cooking so much.

(Now you've got me thinking about starting this again--hmmm . . . .)

Good luck to your wife!

[LeftyMom]

12. I agree with you.

Carbohydrates are needed for energy and certain metabolic processes. A healthy diet will have a plentiful supply of unrefined to moderately refined carbohydrates such as brown rice, whole wheat flour, potatoes, and starchy veggies.

It's not uncommon for people making dietary changes to feel lousy for a few days (also, if she's given up sodas and drank many before, the headache may be from lack of caffeine) but if she doesn't feel well in a day or three, I'd think that's her body's way of letting her know that this is not the diet for her.

[bullimiami]

13. i worked with dr agatston on the audiobook of his south beach heart program

the south beach diet is really just a recipe for healthy living.
he is a heart specialist and he devloped the diet initially for his patients with heart, stroke and diabetes issues.

i wouldnt worry about the 2 weeks of the first phase. the real goal is to get you to eat healthy.
his entire diet is really just a updated version of balanced diet we were taught in elementary school.

[DaveJ]

14. Be prepared for irritability

I tried a similar diet. Coming off of carbs causes irritability, as well as the frustration of not being able to find things to eat. At a huge grocery store she might be able to eat 3 or 4 things there now. I learned that 99% of what they have is not real nourishment anyway.

My main concern would be about sudden weight loss. That can cause other health problems I think.

[RebelOne]

15. There are also plenty of frozen South Beach diet entrees

in the groceries' freezers. That way the amount of sugar and carbs are already figured out.

[Lex]

16. Have you read the book through?

You have some misunderstandings about the diet.

It explains all your concerns in pretty great detail, with studies to back up the claims.

[Avalux]

18. It's a diet; I don't want to sound critical, but diets don't work.

As most "fad" diets, it's designed for maximum weight loss within a short amount of time and if followed, will work. However, eventually, your wife will get weary of eating this way and go back to her previous eating habits - deprivation eating backfires. I can't say that this diet will damage her body, but I'd recommend an intelligent change in eating habits (not a diet) incorporated with exercise - the goal being gradual weight loss over a long period of time. That's the only proven way to stay healthy, lose weight, and keep the weight off.

[loudestchick]

20. Actually, on SB you are getting some carbs in the form of veggies.

It's possible that her headaches are related to caffiene. Did she go cold turkey from a caffiene source?
I did South Beach for 6 months last year and lost 70 lbs. I've regained 20 and am back on the plan (stage 2) it works if you follow the plan and eat healthier. After the first two weeks you add back whole grains and unprocessed fruits. so that helps, alot. The chocolate thing...you've just gotta wait it out, or suggest a chocolate ricotta creme...it's not good but it's not bad either, if you whip the ricotta rather than just blend.

There is a website for South Beach and there are helpful hunts there.

Luck to Ms Deep13

[WorseBeforeBetter]

23. I actually looked forward to the ricotta...

with almond extract, Splenda, and cocoa or carob powder. But I could certainly go through life without ever seeing another mozzarella stick - blah.

Congrats on the loss!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

56. Splenda? Do you know what that stuff is?

Splenda. They replace some of the atoms in the sugar molecule with Chlorine.

Chlorine is a poison, in case you did not know.

When they say "Made from sugar", they are being misleading.

[Bill219]

24. Bah....it doesn't work

I got sucked in to the hype and followed this diet religiously for over a year, the loss was minimal and actually gained weight at times.

Currently doing the Weight Watchers points program, starting weight was 245lbs and as of this weekend after 10 months I am down to 189. I do not attend any meetings nor am I a member. I did a little research about how the points program works and bought a points calculator on ebay for about 5 bucks

My wife is doing well on the Nutrisystem program and has lost 40lbs by following their program

[BuddhaGirl]

60. my husband did South Beach and Nutrisystem

he lost weight on both, but stuck with South Beach because the Nutrisystem food is very unhealthy. It's all highly processed. Not very nutritious at all.

[rainy]

25. Why do you guys always ignore me on the raw food thing? you want your

utopia government but wont consider the true diet we were intended to eat. It should be evident and as plain as the noses on your faces.

[Phillycat]

29. Because it's gross?

[rainy]

30. I'm not talking about raw meat. Nature gives us what we need and we abuse

our bodies by defying her. Fruit, tender leafy greens, veggies and nuts/seeds.

[Burma Jones]

32. So, cultures that live on these items exclusively have the longest and most disease free lives?

Even Chimps enjoy Ants and Termites when they can get them, raw of course.

I think you get ignored on this subject because most of us, being Progressive types, have known or currently know a raw foods adherent.

[rainy]

36. What do you think:

All diseases come from cell damage. All cell damage comes from lack of proper nutrition or toxins or both. 3% of disease is herriditary. We here in the civilized world may live to an old age but we are sick from about the age of 40 and on many drugs. This is not as nature intended us to be. Animals in the wild, if not exposed to toxins do not get diabetes, cancer, heart disease etc......


Abkhasians

The Abkhasians live in Abkhazia which is between the Caucasus Mountains of Soviet Georgia and the Black Sea of the USSR. There are three vegatation zones: subtropics, springs of mineral water, and an abundant resource of forest. They use all of their resources wisely. They build boats as a means of transportation and trading, they hunt game and pick berries and farming is also an important factor in their way of life. They have plenty of resources from which to choose.

The population of this group is 100,000. Currently the Abkhasians are working for autonomy from Georgia (part of the former Soviet Union.) The Abkhasians don't live near a university research center or pharmacy, yet they are very healthy. The Abkhasians have a diet high in raw or vegetarian sources. These foods are 98.5% of their diet. They eat full-grown produce with out cooking or processing it. One of the main courses of food is the seed of a peach. They also eat grains and very little meat.

A healthy life style allows the Abkhasians to be full of vitality, health, and vigor. This culture is one of the most famous groups because the people have some of the longest life spans in the world. These people work and play past 80 years old and many are still active after 100 years old. Not having so much excess protein in their diet leads to a slower growth and a slim, compact body. There has never been a reported case of cancer among the Abkhasians. This culture has no degenerative diseases that afflict the elderly in our culture. Part of the reason they are able to live so long may have to deal with the hilly country they live in where they have to walk everywhere.

The Abkhaz language belongs to the Abkhazo-Adyghian group of the Caucasian family. It is basically the same as the Abaza language. The two have been regarded as separate languages only since the 20th century, mainly because of their literary standards. The Abkhaz language is considered to be one of the most difficult to learn out of all the languages spoken on the ex-Soviet territory. The Abkhaz form has gained popularity throughout Russia.

References:

1. Barber, Benjamin R. “JIHAD vs. MCWORLD.” Times book (1995) http://members.tripod.com/pactor/jihad.html 2 May 2000.

2. Bourhenne, Carl. “How to Live the Longest Life Possible.” http://www.longestlife.com/forever.htm 2 May 2000.

3. “Did You Know? Vegetarians live longer than Meat-eaters! “ http://www.alanlam.demon.co.uk/dyk2.htm 2 May 2000.

4. Misner, Bill PH.D. “Increased Protein From Raw Vegetables!” http://www.myodynamics.com/articles/rawveggies.html 2 May 2000.

www.inforianquest.com

www.eki.ee/books/redbook/abkhaz.shtml

By: Amanda Wilson and Wendy Pickett

[Lethe]

42. raw foodism is a religion, not a science-based nutritional plan

most of the "science" behind raw veganism that i have scrutinized is total bunk. The people who write the raw vegan books are all charismatic, and all have some story about "how i was so sick and then i discovered raw foods", etc etc. Most of the raw food evangelists have no medical training at all, except indoctrination by other raw foodists. In fact, a basic college level biology textbook directly contradicts much of what I read in the raw food books.

humans are OMNIVORES, period, end of story. The evidence the raw vegans cite contrary to this fact is bunk.

I do think that raw vegan is a good cleansing diet for the short term, but not for sustained nourishment.

[rainy]

57. Think about the flow of energy. It all comes from the sun, to the plant, to

the animal. We eat the plant and get the same raw electric energy that the animals get when they eat the plants. Or we could eat the animals that eat the plants. All the energy from the sun to the plant to the animal now is in the whole animal, raw blood guts etc.... All carnivores eat the whole animal raw. NO ANIMAL EATS COOKED DEAD MEAT WITH COOKED TOXIC FAT. So, I'll just skip the dead stuff and eat the living plant food. It makes such pure simple since. Not a religion at all just common sense.

[doc03]

27. I think it's just another variation of the high Protein

low Carb. diet. A co-worker of mine went on what was called the Protein Power Diet, he went from 340 to 260 in what seemed like overnight. So I tried it myself and lost about 15 pounds very quickly, thats all I wanted to lose, but when I went back to a normal diet I ballooned up even heavier. The same thing happened to the other guy and he went back on the same diet a few months later after gaining almost all his weight back. Anyway his weight dropped off again and when he went back to a normal diet his loss continued. He went to a Dr. and was diagnosed with liver cancer he went from 260 when he went in the Hospital to 150 two months later when he died. Today when I want to lose weight I just keep my calories between 1600 and 1800 on days I work out and 1200-1400 on my off days and try to keep my fats low and it works great for me. The most important thing is exorcise I was in a constant battle all my life until 10 years ago when I started working out at least 3 days a week. Now when I get a few pounds over I go on that diet a few weeks to get back where I want. I usually do 20 minutes on the Stair-master and 20 minutes on the Arc Machine, Elipticale or Stationary bike and workout on the Cybex machines for 30 minutes alternating from the upper body one day to the lower the next.

[deucemagnet]

28. It's a more sane version of the Atkins diet.

You're a bit off base on what happens when the body is deprived of carbohydrates. It's true that the brain functions primarily on sugar (specifically glucose), but when glucose is not available the brain can run on ketone bodies made from broken down fatty acids in the liver. This is called ketosis, and it's the heart of the "fat burning" in low carb diets.

In college biochemistry we were taught that ketosis is a mechanism for surviving starvation, so exploiting that mechanism for weight loss never seemed like a safe option for me.

[Schema Thing]

31. Is that where you view pictures of men in thongs

and then throw up everything you've eaten?

[NewWaveChick1981]

34. That's what worked for me after Weight Watchers...

I hit a plateau with Weight Watchers, and I couldn't seem to get past it no matter what I did. I did South Beach, and it works very well. I had headaches for about three days after I started Phase I, and this was from sugar withdrawal. It was tough for the first week, but I made it past that and was fine by the end of the second week. In fact, I almost didn't want to add carbs back during Phase II! I needed to, though, so I added them slowly. I still continued to lose weight, but not at the rate I did during Phase I (but that was a good thing!). I'm within 5 lbs. of my goal because I've been losing weight slowly.

South Beach has worked for me because my main problem was sugar. However, it's not for everyone. Weight Watchers is a good overall plan that's healthy, so if South Beach doesn't work for her, suggest WW. :)

[grace0418]

35. It's just another fad diet that has short-term success but no real chance of

long term success. And I wouldn't say it's entirely safe, though it's not horrible.

Absolutely NO diet is going to work unless the person makes permanent lifestyle changes. Believe me, I know what I am talking about. I finally stopped "dieting" and made real changes in how I eat and live. Now I'm over 50 lbs lighter.

[doc03]

37. Same here was a battle to control my weight until

10 years ago when I started to work out at least 3 times a week. Now when I do get up 5 pounds or so I keep my calorie intake to 1600-1800 on workout days and 1200-1400 on off days and I knock those pounds off in four or five weeks. I usually do 40 minutes of cardio and 20-30 minutes on the Cybex doing upper body one day and lower the next.

[grace0418]

62. That's fantastic! Yeah, once you know how it works it becomes much

easier to do. And it's so much better for your body than sending it into ketosis.

[Shakespeare]

40. It's not a fad diet, and it's not unhealthy.

This diet is especially good for cardiac patients. If you modify your lifestyle for the maintenance phase--which means eating healthier, and in no way involves anything dangerous or drastic--you'll likely keep the weight off.

The diet was developed by a heart doctor, btw. And it's worked really well for me.

[grace0418]

61. I'm glad it worked for you. But I've known too many people who have done

it and gained the weight back because they considered themselves to be on a diet. A diet is something you are on or not on. A lifestyle change is permanent. But if it worked for you, that's fantastic. Congratulations! It sounds like you are taking the lifestyle modification seriously, which I think is the key.

We'll have to agree to disagree on whether or not it's a fad or it's entirely healthy. For me, just because something was developed by a doctor doesn't automatically make it legit.

[pitohui]

delete sorry double posted somehow

/

[pitohui]

38. it isn't dangerous

if she's getting headaches, i would ask if she has also reduced her intake of caffeine, if she was previously drinking a lot of diet cola, many of them have caffeine

the headaches will be gone soon if that's the case

there would also be no traditional eskimoes, notice all the complex carbs that grow up there, yeah, there aren't any

[gizmonic]

39. Ms. Deep13 here

I started the program 5 days ago. I didn't have any problems with the cravings until yesterday (day 4). It could have been soooo easy to open the pantry and stuff my face w/anything I could find. :popcorn: :donut:

But I didn't. :evilgrin: But I could have. :evilgrin: But I didn't.

I'm following the meal plans laid out for Phase 1 (Vegetarian option). The surprising thing that I've noticed is that I'm not hungry on SB. The hardest part of SB right now is avoiding all the foods w/hidden sugar, breads, etc. (oh, yea, did I mention the cravings?)

I tried Weight Watchers a few years ago and was successful but I gained back the weight.

I am realistic -- I know that deprivation doesn't work -- but I need a structured plan to break my simple carb/sugar habit. I'm tired of being overweight and tired of being tired. :hangover:

I'm motivated to make this work. I haven't caved in and I don't expect to.


gizmonic

[Momgonepostal]

41. Good for you!

I hope it works out for you. I am where you are, in that I've finally decided to take the plunge and start this, because I'm sick of looking and feeling like I do. I've order his book as well as the cookbook, and will start when they arrive.

As an aside, Half.com is a GREAT source for diet books. So many people buy them, then never use them. I'm getting both books for under $13, including shipping.

[Lethe]

43. its not dangerous unless you have a medical condition

of course, you should always consult your doc before doing any special diet.

from what i understand, you don't need any carbs at all, the body will make all it needs from fat.

The cravings are totally normal. They will pass if you stick to it. I read somewhere that a common side effect of the first couple weeks of a low carb diet is fatigue, which can be caused by low potassium levels. (the lowered insulin causes the body to expel water, sodium and potassium the first few days) Avocados are a great source of low carb potassium.

[AlCzervik]

44. i've lost 80 pounds using the sb diet, the first 5 days were hell but after

that things got much better. I too had a migraine for the first week so bad that i thought if it didn't cease that was it for SB, on day 6 it stopped.

[LSK]

45. I buy the entries at the store

Cant say much else about the full blown diet.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

46. It worked well for me

I was very skinny up to about age 35, then the pounds just kept adding up. Gradually got up to about 140. Did the SB diet and over about a year dropped to 120. Let go of the first 127 fairly easily, stayed there awhile then lost the next 7 lbs. Unfortunately I fell off the wagon and am now back where I started. Not the diet's fault, entirely my own. Soooo, getting out the book and starting over.

[hippywife]

48. It sounds too much like

the Atkins plan, which is very restrictive of carbs the first few weeks and does rely on throwing your body into ketosis to burn fat reserves by depriving it of carbs to burn. My doctor actually put me on that diet when I was in my 20's and since my 30's I have had chronic uric acid kidney stones because my body can no longer properly metabolize animal protein and flush its by-product (uric acid) out of my body properly.

I think it's safer to reduce portions, eat all things in moderation, and exercise rather than try some diet that someone is making tons of money off of. There's no hidden motive in it.

[Shakespeare]

50. It's very different from Atkins.

It doesn't restrict GOOD carbs (vegetables, etc.) at all, though you are limited a bit more for the first two weeks ONLY. This diet focuses on weaning you off of processed sugar and flour, which is a profoundly healthy thing to do. From then on, you're encouraged to consume lots of whole grains (true whole wheat bread, legumes of all kinds, brown rice, etc.) and other low glycemic-index foods.

Where Atkins lets you eat all kinds of full-fat dairy products and red meats, South Beach strongly discourages that for (very understandable) health reasons. Instead, you're supposed to eat lots of cold-water fish like salmon, and lean white meat chicken and turkey. There's no hidden motive in this--the heart doctor who wrote the book developed this for his patients. It's a good, healthy diet.

[hippywife]

51. And he's not making scads of money

on all the products being sold in the stores?

I agree that there should be a weaning off of bad carbs but those first couple of strict weeks can be hard on the body. From the sounds of it, you are still putting your body into ketosis which is never something to take lightly.

I would prefer the advice of such doctors as Dean Ornish who gives you a viable diet without the high profit factor. I just don't trust the ones that are into selling you scads of products.

[Shakespeare]

53. Making money and having a "hidden agenda" are not the same thing.

And I didn't suggest anywhere that he hasn't profited from the diet. But his motives in developing it were to help his patients, so there's nothing nefarious there.

And what on earth makes you think you can determine what phase of the diet I'm in? I've been in maintenance for quite a long time now.

And if you think Ornish hasn't profited from his diet...well... :shrug:

The South Beach Diet is a sound weight loss program; if the doctor who developed it makes tons of money, then good for him. He's also helped a lot of people change their diet and lifestyle, which is an absolute good. He doesn't "push" his products, and in fact the book itself is all about prepping your own food (and not relying on the frozen dinners).

[AlCzervik]

54. i'm on maintenance as well and for once in my life i feel like i have a really

good chance of keeping it off, i would still like to lose the final 5 but i actually ok if it doesn't happen. The only thing i've purchased from SB is the actual book and i'm very thankful he wrote it.

[hippywife]

55. I didn't say I could

determine what phase of a diet you are in. The OP stated that the first two weeks are strict in the restiction of carbs and described the effect that I know to be ketosis, which any doctor will tell you is not something to toy with. Putting your body into ketosis can be dangerous. (And I'm using the general "you" here, not you specifically.)

After experiencing the Atkins approach and what it has done to my health, I am very leary of any of these mass marketed diet plans. I think everyone should be skeptical because the ill effects I've experienced didn't come until years later. The diet worked beautifully, just as he said it would. The weight just melted off. It wasn't until later that I discovered the very permanent and painful trade-off.

[Fleshdancer]

52. I know some people who have had great results with it

I prefer Body For Life myself but from what I know about South Beach it seems to be pretty good.

[newportdadde]

58. I'm having good results with just a piece of paper and a pencil.

I eat what I would normally but count all my calories. I'm finding it really helpful and very interesting, its kind of like a game really. I also have a calendar that I mark with a magic marker red for good days, brown for bad.

I also do cardio at the gym, 3 days a week, 45 minutes x 5 years.

So anyways I've dropped maybe 2 pounds out of my 5 pound goal.