South Beach Diet

[Happy Mom2]

Just wondering if anyone had tried South Beach Diet and what your thoughts are about it.

 

[Kristina]

I did a few years ago after reading sucess stories here on these boards. I bought the book, began the diet but quit after 4 days when I got a horrible headache. It may not have been the diet at all that caused it as I am prone but at the time I did think it was suger withdrawl. I did not take up the diet again but have just began this week to eat in simular manner, low carb and it's going well. Sorry I don't have much info for you but hopefully someone else will chime in! Good luck!

 

[Happy Mom2]

I'm thinking of doing the same thing. I love my carbs, but I have to reduce and change the type of carbs I'm eating. Going to the grocery store tomorrow to stock up for the week. If anyone has any suggestions for things to bring to work for breakfast and lunch, I'd love to hear them.

 

[cpamperin]

I've done it before and had what's known as "South Beach Flu" in the first 2 weeks. The way to avoid this is to have some sort of bean/legume every day in the first 2 weeks. Once I added this to my diet, my nauseous feelings went away and I did well.
Getting ready to start again - the last year has not been good to me!

Good luck to you!

Claudia

 

[lovetoscrap]

I am a die hard South Beacher! I have lost 45 pounds so far, 28 of them since Jan. I have been on almost every diet plan that there is and SB is the only one that I have ever been able to live with. I find it incredibly easy to figure out what to eat when at home or out. It is also easy to customize and has enough wiggle room in it to adapt it to your needs. I have not been strictly following it for the summer since my unpredictable schedule makes it hard to stay completely on plan but I have been able to maintain for the last 2 months by following the principles.

My dr recommends that you start with Phase 2. Phase 1 is really intended to help you get rid of the carb/sugar cravings and it can be very hard to stick with, even for only 2 weeks. And the "South Beach Flu" can have you running (well, maybe crawling) for the hills before you ever get to the weight loss in Phase 2.

We have a great South Beach thread here. Let me see if I can find it and bump it up for you to read through. Some great ideas on there. I eat Kashi Go Lean oatmeal for breakfast most days, and a light yogurt an hour or so later. Some days I have a piece of whole wheat bread with peanut butter I need a carb in the morning-- just the way my body works. There is a South beach recipe for muffins that I love to make also (I will have to find it) and there is a recipe for egg cups that can be a great make ahead and freeze breakfast. When I want a bigger breakfast I will do scrambled eggs and bacon a few times a month. I don't really like eggs so I do those rarely.

Keep some nuts in your desk-- peanuts or almonds are great. There are a really good pick me up if you are having mid morning or mid afternoon slump. Just read the book for the correct types and serving size. Planters has a South Beach mix of nuts out now that can be purchased in a can or a box of single serve packs. I try to keep a bag in my purse at all times for emergencies.

For lunch I mostly just have a salad with leftover chicken or beef or some lunch meat, a little cheese and some bacon bits. I love salad so that has worked for me. I also really like to have leftovers to reheat for those days that I don't want to prepare a salad or am in a hurry. I will plan my meals (at least my favorites!) with an extra chicken breast or extra few ounces of meat so there will be leftovers. I also really like soup and there are some great ones you can make a big batch of on the weekend and either freeze or eat over the next few days. One of my favorites is to just get a can of seasoned black beans, puree them in the blender, and heat-- instant black bean soup. I add some light sour cream and a little cheese, maybe some avocado if I have some. DH makes a big batch of chili on the weekend to take, or a big pan of taco meat to use on salad.

The biggest advice I have is don't be afraid of carbs. This is not a NO carb diet, it is just a low carb plan. Balance your day out. And if you are feeling "fluish" then, as my doctor told me "eat a damn baked potato!", but plan to have extra veggies and no noodles or rice or potato for dinner. I have found that my body tells me what it needs and as I have figured out how to listen to it things have gotten easier.

Let me know if you have any questions and welcome to the Beach!