South Beach Diet vs Atkins

[mom2garret]

Hi all! I posted this on the other thread but I guess it was in the wrong area. Thanks redirecting me to this bb! I need to get going here on some sort of healthy eating. I have always done WW but I am just tired of it. I was thinking of trying one of the two mentioned diets and wanted to get some opinions. On South Beach do you have to follow an exact menu? I am a picky eater so if I can't decide what I want to eat I guess SBD is not for me. Atkins seems soooooo tough and quite frankly confusing to me :confused: We are going away for a mini vacation so for this week (starting today ;) ) it is watching what I eat and trying not to go overboard on carbs. When I get back I want to put the pedal to the medal and take off a good amount prior to fall hitting us. Anyways, thanks for listening and for any help/suggestions. Glad to be here :D

[newtricks]

I just started SBD yesterday as a matter of fact! I think you can put together your own menus although he does put together a couple of weeks worth of menus that you can follow as well. He has a list of foods to "enjoy" or "avoid" and I think you can pick and choose from that.

The first two weeks of the diet are very strict - you just eat lean protein and vegetables. But after that you can bring back fruit and complex carbs in limited amounts. But pretty much never again for white flour, rice, pasta, and potatoes.

The diet was developed by a cardiologist and it's basically a low-fat Atkins. The thing I like about it is that if you're hungry, you eat. You don't have to measure or limit portions. But you do have to stop when you're full.

Good luck.

[kwormann]

Just wanted to clarify, it isnt a low fat Atkins....its a different fat than Atkins.

[TamiKnight]

While there are meal plans offered in the book, there is also a list of acceptable foods for each phase. DH is also rather picky--no eggs or cheese, for instance. I was easily able to customize the meal plan for him so that he is eating foods he enjoys and is satisfied. This is only my second day on SBD, but I am finding it surprisingly easy, especially considering my carbohydrate addiction! :D I'm sure there will be some tough days, but the protein and "good" fats really do keep you satisfied. I think it's well worth a serious look. If you don't have the book, you'll want to get it and read it--all of it. I think the understanding of why the diet is designed the way it is will help you stick to it. Let us know what you decide to do.

[mom2garret]

Thanks for the input. I went thru the book and must have missed where I can pick/choose the foods. I went thru each chapter again and still thought I would have to eat his planned menu. I will look again :cool: There, maybe the glasses will help me see better! :D

[TamiKnight]

There is a page right after the meal plans for each phase, but before the recipes for that phase. That page lists the acceptable foods for that particular phase. The book doesn't specifically say to substitute, but since there's a whole list of things on the "okay" list, I felt free to sub as necessary to make the food palatable. Throughout the book, he stresses how much an eating plan needs to be something you can really live with. I don't see any problem with changing some things up as necessary to make it fit you, but I would stick with the list he gives.

[newtricks]

kwormann- You're so right about the different fat. And I just had the 20 peanuts to prove it! I love the fact that you can have real salad dressing on your salad and olive oil on your roasted vegetables, etc.

So, yes, it's a low animal/saturated fat Atkins style diet. My husband works with a lot of cardiologists who are kicking themselves right now because they didn't write this book. That's where I got the phrase "low-fat Atkins". That's how they were referring to it, saying they always thought a low-fat Atkins would be the best cardiovascular wise but it "would never sell." Oh well for them!

[kwormann]

I agree! I just had an Anne's Naturals Garden Goddess salad dressing that is expressed canola oil, lemon juice, garlic etc. I would have NEVER eaten this before because of the fat grams!!!

[lorilei]

Anyone want to clarify for me -- it's just WHITE flour and WHITE rice and WHITE foods that are "no's" forever with this plan, correct?

So ww flour, brown rice and sweet potatoes are A-OK? And are there ANY exceptions on the maintenance plan?

[kwormann]

The maintenance plan is whatever you can eat without gaining back the weight. The phases teach you to slowly add back good carbs to learn what your body can tolerate. Im having no trouble with VERY grainy breads and tortillas. It is recommended, however, that you plan on cutting out white sugar and flour as part of your regular daily diet.

To me, it seems to follow the advice of Willett, but for me who had trouble just giving up "bad" carbs and adding "good" fats without freaking out, it gives a plan. I LOVE a good plan:) (plus Im losing weight for the first time WITHOUT feeling deprived or having cravings...cant argue with that:D)

[hollysmom]

As the owner of a tempermental colon AND daughter of a colon cancer patient...I have to wonder how one gets enough fiber with these non-bread/cereal diets.

It's so easy to get the fiber with a big bowl of raisin bran or oatmeal in the am and a pnut butter sandwich with Milton's bread for lunch (SAHM).

But then, I haven't read the books...or lost all the baby weight (still nursing :) )

SSM

[SusanL]

Hollysmom we had our first loaf of Milton's bread this past weekend, WOW! I can't believe the flavor of the multi-grain. I am on the lookout for it here in PA, we ate it in Conn. DH loved it so he can eat it until I can.
Addressing the fiber, don't beans have fiber? But I can understand your position and would be concerned also. Another temperamental colon checking in but so far, ok.

[TamiKnight]

Originally posted by hollysmom
As the owner of a tempermental colon AND daughter of a colon cancer patient...I have to wonder how one gets enough fiber with these non-bread/cereal diets.

It's so easy to get the fiber with a big bowl of raisin bran or oatmeal in the am and a pnut butter sandwich with Milton's bread for lunch (SAHM).

SSM

I understand your concerns. A couple of things to remember, though: It's only during Phase 1 that you're not eating any breads or cereals, but you ARE eating lots of vegetables at that time. Phase 1 only lasts 2 weeks. Also, it is recommended that you take a fiber supplement (like Metamucil) both to provide fiber and stabilize blood sugar by slowing digestion. In Phase 2, you do add back the complex carbs and fruit. I think that, overall, the fiber needs are taken care of--once you get past the first two weeks!

[hollysmom]

Milton's Bread is available at SAMS and CostCO

ssm

[Chiffonade]

South Beach has a much more realistic approach to the low carb mentality. South Beach does not villify all carbs the way Atkins does. Another thing South Beach does is delineate between "Good" carbs and "Bad" carbs. And YES there is "bad" food out there. When I first read the book I wanted to jump up and shout: "Can I get an AMEN!!" I've long maintained that there is a distinct difference between consuming a sweet potato vs. a white potato as it pertains to nutrition.

For anyone who thinks Atkins is too restrictive (and impossible to live by) - check out South Beach.