Atkins vs. SBD - Major difference?

[threeboysmom]

I often read about people claiming that Atkins is "too strict" so they try the South Beach Diet instead. I'm curious because to me they both seem very much alike - the only major difference I can see is that SBD limits you to low-fat choices and Atkins allows you to have whole cheeses, cream, etc. So it seems that SBD would be the more restrictive of the two. What am I missing?

Thanks!

 

[gshoemate]

They just did a story on the news about the SBD. From what they said, the induction for both diets are the same. But once induction is over, SBD allows you to add more carbs to your diet in the way of wheat products.....bread, pasta etc. Where as Atkins is a slow increase of carbs more in the way of veggies and fruit instead of breads and pasta. This is just what the news story said.....I have never looked into the SBD.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I do SBD so I am by no means an Atkins expert. On SBD you can have some whole grain products and skim or 1% milk. I don't think you can have these on Atkins. You also do not have to count carbs on SBD which I believe people on Atkins count. This is why I picked SBD. I didn't want to count anything! They both seem to work so do some research and pick what is best for you.

 

[ZerasPride]

I agree with KandK's Mommy. I chose SBD over Atkins for the simple reason that I did want to add back "good carbs" to my diet. I love having whole wheat bread, long grain converted rice and even the occasional "new potato" and such to my diet. I consider the programs similar too. I use a lot of the Atkins-friendly recipes on the lowcarbfriends.com board and make minor adjustments to make them SBD friendly. As K&K said, you might want to check them both out and see which one fits your lifestyle better. I do consider this a way of life and for me and DH SBD just seemed to fit better.

 

[threeboysmom]

Thanks everybody! I've been doing Atkins now for around 6 weeks. But I'm really stiff waffling between the two "diets". Since I want this to be a way of life eating for me, I need to make absolutely sure which one is right for me and one that I can stick to for life. It seems though with Atkins, in the maintenance phase, you CAN have whole wheat breads & potato occasionally - maybe the only difference is SBD introduces them back into your diet quicker than Atkins? I'm actually not even craving breads or muffins, etc. I'm having so much fun trying out the different recipes on this board & lowcarbfriends - I don't have time to miss my old foods