Tell me about the South Beach Diet

[Robinrs]

I was talking to my Aunt about Atkins and she told me she's been on the South Beach Diet for her health. She's diabetic and she said it's totally stabilized her sugar and she looks INCREDIBLE! She's 62 years old and looks younger than ME!

I did a search on the web and it sounds very similar to Atkins. What is the difference??? Is it as successful as Atkins?

Just curious.

 

[LAinSEA]

I'm doing Atkins currently and will probably stay with that plan until I get closer to my goal weight. But I did pick up the SBD book Monday and finished last night. In a nutshell:

Similarities: Both discourage eating refined suger, flour, processed foods with transfats. Both encourage eating vegetables that are nutrient rich and high in fiber.

Differences:
1. Atkins has you count carbohydrates (20 or less for the first 2 weeks, then add back 5 at a time until you are no longer losing weight, then go back to a level of carbs where you continue to lose weight), SBD does not have you count carbs but define your meals from a group of foods that have a low glycemic index (most strict for the first 2 weeks, adding more foods for phase 2).

2. Atkins allows you to eat all fats with the exception of transfats. Any cut of meat, fish, foul is included - eating real butter is encouraged, as well as use of full-fat cheeses, half & half and cream. SBD would prefer that you use the leaner cuts of beef, and stick with chicken breast instead of eating leg or thigh meat. Also SBD encourages eating good butter substitutes and low-fat dairy products.

3. While both plans encourage eating vegetables rich in nutrients and high in fiber, on Atkins they are part of your carb count. On SBD you are not limited in the amounts you eat during your meals. Both discourage eating carrots or beets and others that are high in the glycemic index.

4. Atkins discourages eating fruit other than berries because of their high carb count. SBD only bans fruit for the first 2 weeks and then you add them back gradually starting with those lower on the glycemic index. SBD also encourages eating of legumes and beans. Most beans (chick peas, kidney, lentils, etc.) are very high in carbohydrates and are discouraged on Atkins.

Both Atkins and SBD books have a good explanation of the science behind their diets. SBD is a little easier to understand, IMHO. However, when you look at both of their sample menus, they are very similar (with the noted exceptions above). While SBD won't catorgorize itself as low-carb, the menus show that they are very low-carb compared with the average American diet.

As I get closer to my goal weight, I will probably try to incorporate more of the SBD thinking into my lifestyle. It seems to me to be a more realistic way of eating for the longterm than Atkins maintenance program.

I hope this helps, please excuse and mis-spellings or typos.

-Laurie

 

[NancyIL]

Laurie, that was a GREAT explanation of the main differences between Atkins and the South Beach Diet! The SBD is probably easier for those who have been on a low-fat diet to "swallow" than Atkins.

My DH and I have been on Atkins since the end of September. I lost just over 20 pounds before my 12-day trip to FL beginning Thanksgiving Day, and I was very happy to not gain any weight while at WDW. Now it's time to get serious about what I eat, and get moving with exercise.

Hi, Robin!!

 

[Robinrs]

NANCY! Nice to "see" you! Happy 2004!

Laurie, thanks for the explanation. I did see the differences on the sight but don't know enough about either of them to make the comparison.

What I REALLY want to know is are they both equally successful? I do agree that it makes a bit more realistic sense than Atkins but will I see the same results?

 

[tw1nsmom]

I would also like to hear how SB results compare to Atkins. I just started SB a week ago. I tried Atkins last year and didn't experience a lot of success. Also, I have 3 year old twins. My daughter appears to have inherited my body type and I feel more comfortable incorporating the SB diet into our family meals (I'll be serving them more whols grains than I will probably consume, and they will be getting treats at school/special occasions).

 

[LAinSEA]

tw1nsmom:

Both me and my DH lost about 30 lbs each effortlessly the first time we tried Atkins in 1999. (Then our doctor accused me of trying to kill my DH with the diet - he has high BP - without even doing any tests to show that Atkins had hurt his health....needless to say the 30 lbs are back plus more on the prescribed low-fat, low-salt, low-cal diet.) We are back on Atkins again...but this time losing weight isn't exactly effortless - it's a slow struggle for me. I've decided to stick with Atkins because it is now starting to work for me as long as I stay around 20 carbs/day.

I think that feeding your family based on the SBD is probably a sensible plan with one big caveat: don't cut too much fat from your children's diet! My mother is a 1st grade teacher...her experience with children of low-fat dieting parents is that they have a difficult time in school. When real fat is added back into their diets, the learning difficulties go away. Children need fat for brain development.

As far as success on SBD, ZerasPride (who started on SBD about the same time I started Atkins induction) has lost 4x the lbs than I've lost in the same amount of time! I'm hoping she'll jump in on this thread soon.

I think you have to find a program that works for you and then stick with it in order to have any long-term success. What I do like about Atkins is that I'm never hungry, I don't have to calculate "points" or count calories, although I did find that I had to weigh or measure out my carb portions so that I didn't eat too many carbs per day. What appeals to me with SBD is that you don't measure at all and you can, on occasion, add back more fruit and beans to your diet eventually. My sister and her DH have been Summersizing for over a year and she's down to her HS weight! So again finding the right program for you makes all the difference - after all it's YOU who has to live with it.

-Laurie

 

[Obsessed w/Disney in OH]

I was on Atkins last year for a good period of time. Losing weight on Atkins was very slow for me because I took advantage of the higher fat allowances, ie. bacon, butter, etc. I did lower my cholesterol on Atkins, however.(Figure that out!) When I stopped being faithful to my diet last spring after losing about 15 lbs., my weight went back on immediately and then some.

This fall, I started back on Atkins and lost a few pounds. Then, I discovered SBD and once I read the book---I knew this was the lifestyle I could live with. I was amazed how quickly I lost at first and have continued to lose. I have also been pleased that when I have strayed some, ie. during our trip to WDW and over the holidays--I have been able to maintain my loss. I am also surprised that I have lost weight in different body areas on the SBD than when on Atkins. I have gone down 4 pants sizes with a 35 lb. weight loss and have had to replace almost all of my clothes.

The SBD feels better to me because it makes more sense for me. When I was on Atkins, I couldn't quite get comfortable with the high fat protein concept. On the SBD, I like the fact that I can eat veges. without "counting them" and add in fruit eventually. After my 2 week induction, I was so happy to have cereal(Uncle Sam or Go Lean) and whole grain bread again. I limit it to one choice a day right now because I am trying to continue to lose.

I think everyone's body type reacts differently to different plans. I am not endorsing the SBD or criticizing Atkins. I am saying that SBD worked better for ME. I haven't been at this weight or felt this good for a long time!!

Good luck!! ~Lisa

 

[tw1nsmom]

LAinSEA,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. We'll have to see how SB goes. I can't see any other diet working for me right now (I've tried most of them).

I totally agree with you about children needing fat in their diets. However from what I understand SB isn't necessarily a low fat diet. Natural peanut butter, other nuts, olive/canolla oils, and avacados, other unsaturated fats are allowed/encouraged. I'm also not going to keep my children from enjoying the typical preschool treats occasionally. I'm just hoping to cook one dinner for everyone and teach my kids healthy eating in the process (not that I'm exactly sure what that is, nor have I been very good at sticking with it in the past).

I'm just hoping to do a little better than my parents did in regards to food.

 

[Alex]

Robin... I think you are asking the wrong question....
Both diet's work!! The only way to know which one will work better for you is to try.
Different people seem to have different diets that work for them, my own DW was very strict and couldn't lose weight on atkins to save her life. On WW's.. she did unbelievably...
Dr. George Sheehan used to say "everyone is an experiment of one".
I would say look the diet's over, decide which one fit's your personality, your eating habit's and your lifestyle and try that one first.
All diet's work for someone...

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

From what I've read on this board, that being from people on this board on SB, they might not lose as fast as on Atkins (always exceptions), but really, the way I look at it is this: whatever plan that fits YOU is the one YOU will stick with and therefore the one that YOU will lose weight with and keep it off. The only reason I think you lose faster with Atkins is because you get into ketosis. You are not losing according to the "3500 calorie a day" rule. But if you can't stick to Atkins, then it does you no good.

I keep coming back to Atkins, instead of say a low fat diet like I did before. Atkins is hard for me, but the others are harder! I accessed what I really needed to have in my diet; REAL butter, hamburgers, eggs, blue cheese dressing, all kinds of veggies, cheese, meat, meat, more meat, .......that sort of stuff. Did I say cheese?? It's hard giving up potatoes and rice and noodles, but in the end, giving up a steak or a salad with REAL dressing was harder for me. We each have to decide for ourselves. I have a sister on WW........she would never eat like I eat. She buys fake everything (not that you have to on WW, she just chooses to so she can save on points). She has lo-fat or no-fat margarine, cream cheese, cheese, milk, butter buds, dressings, etc. I just can't do that anymore.

But I think if I wanted to do something close to Atkins, but needed more carbs, than I would do SB. I think you have just as many successful people on SB as Atkins, or WW for that matter, because you simply have to decide on how you want to eat for the rest of your life (assuming here that we are talking about the "maintainence" part of all of these programs).

Sorry for the long post.

 

[katz99]

I have been on the South Beach Diet for a short while now. I find that it is very easy to follow and very filling. Alot of the times I do not even eat the snacks, the hunger urge is not there and I have been losing steadily.

 

[Robinrs]

Thanks for the info everyone!

Yes, Alex, I realize that everyone reacts differently to each diet, the reason I decided to do Atkins was because of all the success stories. I wanted to know if SB was just as good.

I am NOT a meat person, in fact I was a vegetarian for 14 years before I had my son. I am, however, a cheese and butter person, which I am glad I don't have to give up. I also love salads, so see no problem with that. South Beach sounds more up my alley with the extra allowances, and especially for my son, so I'm going to have to read BOTH books!

Thanks again!

 

[ZerasPride]

Hi Robin!

I hope it's not too late to give you my experience with SBD. I love it! I do agree with what most of the posters before me have said. You do have to find the program that's right for you and your lifestyle. I have tried just about everything that's out there before: WW, Jenny Craig, Slimfast, shots, pills, NutraSystem, etc. Nothing worked for me. I might lose a little but I couldn't stick with plans for long for some reason.

My husband and I started SBD on 12/01/03 and I lost 20 pounds in a month! I am now down to lossing 1-2 pounds per week adding back good carbs like whole wheat bread, oatmeal, and other stuff but I am still lossing steadily. I wish I would have taken my measurements because I have lost a ton of inches! I am wearing an A-line skirt today that was so tight on me at the beginning of December and it's almost falling off me now! I am not sure if my results are typical for SBD but my husband has a similar experience. I get so many compliments from people and it's been about 6 weeks.

I do consider this "diet" a lifestyle change and pretty much plan on eating this way permanently. I think that is another key to finding the plan that works for you. Are you willing to commit to it for good? Is the plan something that you realistically can live with?

A typical day for me menu-wise is as follows:
B: whole grain flakes cereal or oatmeal with several slices of bacon and maybe a scrambled egg or two if I am really hungry
S: almonds, cheese or a lf yogurt (2 snacks per day)
L: chef salad or grilled sirlion burger with a salad with real dressing
D: some lean meat (a steak, grilled pork chop or chicken breast), broccoli with lf cheese sauce and possibly another salad and dessert - usually some kind of chocolate that's around 75 calories like a ff fudgesicle or sf jello pudding cup

I really enjoy eating this way. Since I have given up the carbs, I don't snore at night (DH is grateful for that), I fall asleep quicker and sleep more soundly. My clothes are getting too big, I've lost 20+ pounds in just over 5 weeks, I have lots of energy and don't require naps in the afternoons on the weekends.

Since you mentioned you are getting both books, you'll be armed with all the pros and cons of both programs and be able to judge which will work best for you. There's a great lc website called www.lowcarbfriends.com with friendly people who are primarily on Atkins but there are Body for Lifers, Protein Power and South Beachers there too. You might want to check them out. Whatever you decide, welcome to the lc living!!!!!

 

[Robinrs]

Hi, Lisa!

Hey, we miss you over on the Universal board!

Thanks so much for the info! I am so excited about all this, it's just that I OVER research anything I get into and when I commit, I COMMIT!

Thanks for the detailed info. I love hearing the stories of families going on it together. With any plan it helps to have a support system.

This board is priceless! It's better than any book!

Robinrs

 

[ZerasPride]

Hi Robin!

I love this board too. I have so much support and encouragement, especially because I keep a journal on the WISH journal board and everyone is so positive and uplifting when they comment on your entries. It's very inspiring. Let us know which plan you decide to adopt so we can encourage and support you too.

I haven't been on the Universal board in ages. I miss it over there and will have to pop in and see how everyone is doing. I miss the Portofino hotel too. Since we joined DVC and sunk all our extra monies into Disney accommodations, we just can't afford to splurge anymore. But I'll get back to Universal some day!

Take care of yourself Robin!

 

[JCJRSmith]

The major difference between the two is that, where Atkins is low carb, SB is not. The SBD is not designed to be low carb, nor is it low fat. One will have to look out for the TYPES of carbs and fats one consumes. The first two weeks on SB (Phase 1) IS low carb in order to get your body tuned to lowering insulin production and retraining your body to digest carbs the way it is supposed to. Phase 1 lasts for 2 weeks, and it is really easy to stay on the diet if one makes the commitment to do so. I am now on day 5 of Phase 1 and I have already dropped 10 pounds, and my pants are starting to fit again. My wife and I are doing this together and that helps, as we have both grown rather large in the last 15 years together.

In phase 2 of SB you begin to slowly re-introduce carbohydrates into your diet. You just have to make sure they are the right types of carbs - whole grain, high fiber stuff. No processed sugar, bleached flour, standard pastas, etc. One stays on phase 2 until one hits one's target weight.

Phase 3 is the maintenance phase, where you continue to eat the right carbs and fats along with the protien to maintain your weight.

With Atkins one counts carbs and figures out net carbs. The induction phase is designed to get your body into ketosis - the process of utilizing fats as energy versus depending on and craving carbs. The biggest criticism I have seen of Atkins is the lack of distinction when it comes to fats, which some feel could lead to heart/cholesterol problems down the road.

On SB, one still has to look out for high saturated fat content and trans fats (thankfully this is a lot easier because the FDA is now requiring that Trans Fat info be put on food labels).

For my own experience, I looked at both but decided to try South Beach. As mentioned before, I am already down 10 pounds. My wife and I both started doing a "mini-SB" diet before we actually started Phase 1 so we could slowly cut out the bad stuff. I think this helped, espcially because I have not had severe carb withdrawl symptoms - just a mild headace, and a day or two of feeling "out of sorts" - and neither did my wife. She has dropped 15 pounds since Christmas. We both realize that we can't get TOO excited about that because the weight loss will slow down once we get into Phase 2. But if I can maintain the weight loss of 1-2 pounds/week in Phase 2, I will be at or pert near my target of 190 pounds by the time we hit Fort Wilderness in June

I think the key to either diet is that they are not just diets, but lifestyle changes. One must be willing to make this change FOREVER, or one will put the weight back on.

Jerry in PA

 

[Bacrd]

I've read SBD and found quite a few contradicitions. SB discourages Trans Fat-but yet their recipes use margarine....SB accepts whole eggs as healthy, but they use "egg substitutes" in the recipes....they denounce "sugar" but encourange the use of "low-fat" products which replace fat with sugar.

These are just a few instances that bothered me personally. Also, the SB book contained very little medical evidence...it was filled mostly with "success stories".

However...you can't knock success!!! Its all a matter of finding the eating plan that works best for your OWN body type!!