South Beach Diet

[Chiropteran]

You do Atkins for two weeks, then quit.

And they guy who came up with this brilliant idea wrote a whole book about it?

This opinion is based on information from here.

Phase Two

At this time you can begin adding the foods that were off-limits before. You can begin to add bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, or cereal to your meals... it's up to you. You can add fruit, too, if you wish.

So yeah. Phase One = Atkins induction. Phase Two = eat whatever you wish, AKA not a diet.

Phase Three = Profit!

 

[fs5]

Stop talking about things you know nothing about. Read the book then get back to me.

 

[Descartes]

Have you turned into an Atkins zealot?

 

[fs5]

Let me help you out:

There are so many diets out there at the moment it?s difficult to know which one to opt for. We have: low-carb / high-protein; high-carb / low-protein; low-fat; reduced-calorie; detox diets ? the choice is endless. One diet which has hugely increased in popularity over recent years is the Atkins Diet. Like the South Beach Diet, the Atkins Diet works by lowering carbs. However, with Atkins, dieters are encouraged to cut out all carbs; good, bad or indifferent. They are also permitted to eat unlimited amounts of protein and saturated fat.

The key difference between Atkins diet and South Beach Diet is that the South Beach Diet does not require exclusion of carbs, but only a change in the type of carbs consumed. Also, the South Beach Diet does not condone consumption of saturated fat, which is commonly linked with cardiovascular disease. Instead, it encourages consumption of unsaturated fats, which are proven to promote health.

Dieters following Atkins diet tend to see a dramatic weight loss over the first week or two. The diet works by reducing the intake of carbohydrates to a bare minimum, and Atkins dieters are advised to eat high-protein foods, many of which are also high in fat. Although weight loss can be very rapid (approximately 10-15 pounds in a fortnight), Atkins diet has been the centre of a great deal of controversy over the years due to its restrictive nature. After the initial weight loss, carbs are meant to be slowly re-introduced in order to maintain the weight loss.

Atkins Diet Advantages: Rapid weight loss, good quick-fix diet, proven to work.
Atkins Diet Disadvantages: Very restrictive, can get dull, not suitable for long-term use, not suitable for vegetarians.

http://www.south-beach-diet-information.com/compare.htm

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
Stop talking about things you know nothing about. Read the book then get back to me.

Please, educate me. I legitimately tried to find information about the diet and I can't because the main website doesn't tell you anything unless you are a "member". I found the one article which I posted the link to and it doesn't sound like much of a diet at all based on that description.

 

[melly]

I gained weight on Atkins a few years ago. Not every person can fit into a very broad mass-produced diet plan. I just eat whatever these days in moderation.

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
Let me help you out:

Thanks, seriously, but I already read that. The thing is, despite what it says there, the first two weeks of south beach is identical to Atkins induction. The difference, according to the site I linked, was that after those two weeks you could start eating carbs again "if you wish". Maybe I'm just bitter because I don't want to buy a $20 book just to understand a diet that can adequately be described in two paragraphs.

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: Chiropteran

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
Let me help you out:

Thanks, seriously, but I already read that. The thing is, despite what it says there, the first two weeks of south beach is identical to Atkins induction. The difference, according to the site I linked, was that after those two weeks you could start eating carbs again "if you wish". Maybe I'm just bitter because I don't want to buy a $20 book just to understand a diet that can adequately be described in two paragraphs.

Then don't, pay $12:
http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=390214
or check if you're library has it.

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: Descartes
Have you turned into an Atkins zealot?

Nah, I just keep hearing people say "Atkins? I heard South Beach is better" yet no one can really tell me why it's better. I decided to look for information and that is what I found.

 

[Chrono]

South Beach is not a low carb diet, but in the initial phase (phase 1) you try to do away with the bad carbs by intaking good carbs.
There are certian foods and things that South Beach allows that atkins does not. South Beach also promotes low fat/non fat type of meats/foods. It was designed by a cardiologist for his patients. Because of the success of his patients, the craze caught on, but not as big as atkins. I've tried the atkins before and now the south beach. I can tell you this though, I like South Beach a lot better because I am definitely feeling more energetic and have lost a few pounds. My g/f and I are in it together. Maybe you need to inform yourself more about things before coming to conclusions.

 

[Babbles]

Okay I do not practice either the Atkins or the South Beach diet. I do try to cut out the unhealthy carbs, but I do not follow their guidelines for the most part.

Howevever I have taken the time to read and understand why their reasoning is, and it is almost irritating (okay not almost it is) to see people making judgement calls without understaning what they are talking about.

I am not trying to slam anybody, but just read what they are saying not what you think they are saying.

 

[Yo Ma Ma]

You can browse through some of the book on Amazon.

 

[MDesigner]

I thought I'd step in, being a South Beach dieter, and having seen great results. I started on 11/6/03 at 196# and am now at 166#..but I hit my goal probably a month ago or so.

I don't know how to spell it out any clearer than has already been stated. South Beach's advantage over Atkins is that it doesn't tell you that eating gobs of bacon is OK. It's not. South Beach allows you (starting at phase 2) to eat "good carbs," basically whole grains and the like. If it's got carbs but also has a healthy dose of fiber, it's generally OK.

I'm not saying Atkins doesn't work. It does, I know some people who lost weight on it. But I can guarantee you my diet is healthier than theirs. My diet: salads, chicken, fish, nuts, low fat cheese, occasionally a bit of dark chocolate, pears, eggs, citrus fruits. Atkins dieters: same as above, but also including bacon, hamburger patties, non-low fat cheese (high in saturated fat), and so on. It's obvious which diet is healthier.

Visit the South Beach forum on Prevention.com. It's the most valuable source of info on South Beach, hands down. Some of the people there are highly devout and know about as much as the creator himself.