SouthBeach seems to be healthier than...

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-2003
SouthBeach seems to be healthier than...
13
Sat, 10-04-2003 - 4:31pm
Hi! I am new to this board. My husband and I started Atkins diet 3 days ago. However, after reading his book there are several things I disagree with. My friend told me about the Southbeach diet and it seems to lead you to just what I know to be true with a good healthy diet. I only have about 10 - 15 lbs to lose and my husband has about 40 - 50. We are also looking for a general healthy way of eating. Has anybody else compared the 2 diets or felt the same way as I do about Atkins and gone with the SB diet in the end? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I'm going to buy the book in just a little while. I actually seem excited about this diet.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 10-04-2003 - 6:13pm
I think that depending upon your body, which diet works better for you. I guess the bottom line is not everyone is the same and what works for one person does not work for another.

I tried the Atkins diet a little over a year ago and lost 6 lbs in 1 week (I had about 60 lbs to lose). I stayed on it for 2 months and never lost another ounce, and I was so tired I could not do anything other than what I had to to get through the day. Now I know other people who have boundless energy on it. I also had a lot of cravings on Atkins.

Since I started the SBD almost 4 weeks ago, I have lost 12 1/2 lbs. and now that I have added back some carbs --- I have a lot more energy and am feeling good. I am feeling

more in control of my eating in years. This WOE is working a lot better for me.

I also feel, that I am a lot more comfortable eating things with less saturated fat, ie, skinless chicken breasts, veggie burgers and so forth and less fat as a whole than on Atkins.

My only problem is the lack of time to really cook to do this WOE right. I work full time and go to school so I don't have much time to cook --- I do what I can, but I use

supplements to help me out when I just don't have the time.

Ellen

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Sat, 10-04-2003 - 8:03pm
Here's my take on the major differences:

-In our phase 1, we are allowed nuts and beans.

-As long as you are full, you are good to go. There's no counting carbs or having 1 cup of veggies at dinner.

-whole foods are emphasized...not like atkins where there's processed Atkins products

-SBD was designed for patients with heart problems so meat with saturated fats and heavy cream for dessert is discouraged.

Some with say it an "Atkins ripoff" and maybe so, but it seems to focus on heart health more than Atkins. I've met several people who do Atkins and never mention omega 3s or the benefits of olive oil.

Just my opinion:)

Alison

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 10-05-2003 - 5:04pm
My DH and I started SBD 9/8/03 and I have lost 14 # so far. I stayed an extra few days on phase one because of some bad food choice situations. I truly believe that this is tons healthier than Atkins. I was going to do atkins, but my pre blood work showed my chol.at 240, so my dr. discourage atkins. I chose this diet/WOE after researching and I like it, I hope I continue to loose and when I have cholesterol re-checked in march it had better have gone down !!! Although I do have an aunt who is petite, athletic and eats good food and she has high cholesterol, so I know it sometimes just happens no matter what you do.


Cheryl

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2003
Sun, 10-05-2003 - 5:59pm
Just visiting from the Atkins board. If you know folks who are not taking omega 3's and eating plenty of olive oil than those folks just plain haven't read the book. Also, in his book Dr. Atkins also warns of the processed foods. His company makes them as a convenience, however he really supported a much more whole foods approach. Remember his "diet" has been around since the early 70's before any of this stuff was even a reality.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-1999
Sun, 10-05-2003 - 6:02pm

I know several individuals who are petite and have high cholesterol. A family friend who is a cardiologist said that being "at risk" for high cholesterol levels is due more to family history than to what an individual eats. Dr. A seemed to say a bit of this in the book, but that those risk factors can be changed with a healthier way of eating. My family has low cholesterol, no matter what the size of person. But we have heart disease running rampant in the family, due to problems other than cholesterol. However, a healthy diet controls the other heart problems we tend to have, as well.


Catherine

 

winter 2010 siggy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Sun, 10-05-2003 - 9:01pm
Well you can't get away from the fact that beans and nuts aren't allowed in your induction. That was a major selling point for me in addition to leaner meats and cheese. Dr. Atkins does not limit the type of meat or cheese to eat...I HAVE seen the chart in the book.

And if conveinice foods are discouraged, why build a billion dollar business to replace the very foods you're trying to get away from?

And remember...low calorie diets have been around for ages too. The bottom line is take in more calories than you burn and you'll gain weight. All we are doing is trying to do is do what works best for us. So save the history lesson...things are revised all the time to meet other people's needs.

Thanks for visiting:)

Alison

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2003
Sun, 10-05-2003 - 9:33pm
From I understand, a doctor will recommend this diet for someone with diabetes (early, late, or gestational) to reduce their risks and maintain their blood sugar. I don't see anything like this information being promoted for Atkins. I am skeptical of things where processed foods are made and cost so much. Atkins this... atkins that... jmho.
Lilypie - Personal pictureLilypie First Birthday tickers
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2003
Mon, 10-06-2003 - 11:47am
Yikes! I was not attacking SBD...I find this site to be helpful also, as there are many similarities. Apparently touched a raw nerve. I won't contribute any information if you find it so offensive...Sorry about that. What works for you is great-we all have the same goals here which is to get healthy. Good luck to you all.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2003
Mon, 10-06-2003 - 12:41pm
No one was saying you were attacking anything. I was pointing out a counterpoint to yours regarding Atkins being around since the 70's. Nothing meant by my words. Posting messages is hard sometimes because words can be taken the wrong way. Don't worry, post all want around here. It's intersting to hear other ideas, but expect someone to argue your point or question your point. It's how we all learn. Thanks! Happy eating!
Lilypie - Personal pictureLilypie First Birthday tickers
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-12-2003
Mon, 10-06-2003 - 5:52pm
My father has type II diabetes and was on oral hypoglycemics and was getting pretty close to needing insulin. His doctor recommended the Atkins diet and after being on it six weeks he was able to discontinue his oral medication completely because his blood sugar had normalized on its own for the first time in seven years.

As far as the comment about Atkins not allowing beans or nuts during induction, that is true, however, induction is ONLY two weeks.

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