*Tips for Phase 2*
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| Fri, 10-08-2004 - 11:47am |
Tips for Phase 2
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- Phase 2 Meal Planner:
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-fbsouthbeach&msg=9099.1&ctx=0
2. Foods to Reintroduce & Avoid - Phase 2
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-fbsouthbeach&msg=8867.1&ctx=0
3. Weight loss will typically be 1/2 to two pounds per week on average on Phase 2 depending on how much you have to lose. Some weeks you may not lose anything. At first, you may even gain a little, but it is usually only temporary.
4. Here’s a link that describes the best way to approach Phase 2.
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-fbsouthbeach/?msg=7602.1
From the SBD nutritionist on how to add carbs back safely:
The goal during phase 2 is to add more carbs back safely. The key words are slowly and gradually. It is important to pay attention to how adding the carbohydrate selection affects you. Some foods (even on phase 2) can increase cravings. That is why it is important to slowly and gradually add choices back in. No two people will experience phase 2 the same way. It is important to add one carb choice in and monitor your reaction for a couple of days. Then you add another choice. Again monitor for any reaction. If you notice that your weight loss is stalled, you've gone too far. It is time to cut back, or try some different carbs. Again, monitor results. It is important to continue with this cautious approach while in phase 2. The goal is to add carbs back and continue with weight loss. During phase 2, weight loss will be slow and gradual. Look for 1-2 pounds per week. Some weeks you may only see a 1/2 pound weight loss. This is fine and expected. This is true weight loss. As you become closer to goal, weight loss may become even slower. This is also expected. A slow, gradual weight loss is the goal because it is more apt to stay off. Also, a slow, gradual weight loss is important to prevent lean tissue loss. This can result in lowering metabolism. It is also advised to add some exercise daily. This will not only help with weight loss, but help preserve lean tissue. Please be patient. The goal is for permanent weight loss. How many out there has lost the same pounds over and over again, to find more added back? !
Sandy / SBD Nutritionist
5. "Cravings" is simply defined as: getting hungry 1-2 hours after a meal. The explainations below are SBD Nutritionists' answers about cravings vs. hunger, types of cravings, etc.
Cravings are actually reactive hypoglycemia. The drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is caused by eating a high glycemic food. The pancreas responds by overproducing insulin which in turn drops blood sugar levels. When this drop happens, cravings occur.
Craving feel like hunger. It also takes more food to stop and correct the cravings. In other words, you end up overeating and are unable to maintain/achieve weight loss.
Cravings can not only be both physiological, but also psychological. I think the psychological cravings is what you wrote about. This is a craving for a particular food. The particular food may be associated as a "comfort food". An example would be parents using food to comfort a fussy or upset child.
During one of Dr. Agatston's chats he discussed cravings. He states "Cravings due to reactive hypoglycemia (carb cravings) usually occur within a couple of hours after a meal. If it is more than 4 or 5 hours since your previous meal, then your hunger is more likely due to a normal and gradual drop in blood sugar rather than overreactive hypoglycemia."
The general rule of thumb is: if it is approximately 2 hrs after a meal it is due to reactive hypoglycemia (this could be due to high glycemic carbs). If it is approximately 4 hrs after a meal then it is true hunger.
There is a difference between cravings from a physiological cause (reactive hypoglycemia) and a psychological cause. Psychological causes can result from feelings of boredom, stress or because of associated pleasure associated from a particular food. The SBD eliminates foods that can trigger a craving from reactive hypoglycemia (a physiological cause). When reintroducing carbohydrate-containing foods during phase 2, this is what you are to monitor for. Some foods may trigger cravings
What causes salt cravings?
Cravings for certain foods can be caused from numerous factors. They can be from physiological or psychological factors. I will also add that emotions can also play a role with cravings. Most often the foods we crave are processed carbohydrates. These change the brain's chemistry, increasing the level of serotonin, our feel-good neurochemical. Many carbohydrate-containing foods are also salty. Certain genes can also influence taste preferences. Some individuals have an accentuated perception for salt. Our taste buds have what we might refer to as "taste thermostats" for fat, sugar, and salt. If you eat much less salt in your daily diet, your salt thermostat shifts to wanting salty foods. You may have decreased the amount of salt you normally get daily when switching to the SBD. Thus your thermostat is signaling it wants salt. Another good possibility is that you have lost fluids associated with fat breakdown. Therefore your body may crave extra salt. The extra salt is your body's way of maintaining fluid volume.
6. What to do if you added too many carbs at once and your cravings have returned:
Let's start over again by switching to phase 1 for a couple of days. After being on phase 1 for a couple of days, we'll start back on phase 2. Let's re-introduce cereal (check the phase 2 list for approved cereal or do a recipe search and type in cereals for a more complete list) and some milk (low fat 1% or fat-free). Monitor for any cravings. You will eat this for a couple of days before a new food is reintroduced. After a couple of days, you are ready to add a serving fruit in addition to the cereal and milk. Let's start with either an apple or grapefruit after lunch or supper. After eating the fruit, monitor for any cravings (you should be fine with these lower GI fruits). Now you will be eating cereal, milk and fruit daily. Do this for a couple of days. Now you are ready to add another serving of milk or light yogurt with meals or between meals. Do this for a couple of days in addition to what you are already eating. After a couple of days, you are ready to reintroduce another food - let's add whole grain bread. The organic bread may not be a whole grain bread - please closely check the label. Organic does not necessarily mean whole grain. You may want to check out the list of recommended whole grain breads found under the Daily Dish. After adding the whole grain bread, monitor any cravings. You will add the bread in addition to what you have already added. This is the way to slowly and gradually reintroduce foods during phase 2. You will continue this slow, gradual and monitor cravings all through phase 2. Weight loss will slow down during phase 2. Expect 1-2# per week weight loss. There may be some weeks with a 1/2 pound loss - this is fine. Some weeks you may not have any weight loss, but may show a larger loss the following week.
It is also recommended that during phase 2, you add exercise slowly and gradually. Start slow with what you can tolerate and gradually increase to about 25-30 minutes five times per week. This will also help with weight loss.
Successful weight loss is a slow process. It has been found that those that lose at a slower, more gradual pace are more apt to keep it off in the long run.
7. The only reason to go back to Phase 1 is if cravings have returned or you have gained a few pounds and are having trouble losing them on Phase 2.
8. Phase 2 can be a very slow process since it is mostly a learning experience to find what works and doesn't work for you. Everyone is different so there is no one thing that works for everybody. What causes cravings for one may not for another. Patience is the best way to get results on Phase 2.
9. Stalls or plateaus are not uncommon on Phase 2. The best way to break them is to change what you have been eating and increase/or change your exercise routine. Here is a link about the "Dreaded Plateau"
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-fbsouthbeach/?msg=5675.1
10. Strength training increases lean muscle mass (metabolically active muscle) and helps your body burn fat faster, even while asleep. You should include both cardio and strength training in your routine.
11. In Phase 2 you may have any alcoholic drinks except liqueurs and very sweet dessert type wines. Do not use sugary mixers or juice. Do not drink on an empty stomach because it will make you hungry. Moderation is defined as no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men. This is the guideline established by the medical community at large, not just Dr. A. . One drink = 5 oz of wine, 1.25 ozs of hard liquor, or 12 ozs of beer. This is what Dr.Agatston said in a recent chat.
Dr. Agatston: "While there are theoretical advantages to consuming red wine as your first alcoholic choice because of the natural antioxidants, actual scientific studies at this time do not show a benefit of wine over other alcoholic beverages. In fact, all of the alcoholic beverages, when consumed in moderation, appear to have favorable effects on heart disease and diabetes prevention. We feel that, as a rule, consuming alcohol with a meal is much more preferable than is consuming alcohol on an empty stomach. We also prefer the low-carb beers, such as Michelob Ultra, to the high-carb beers. But please rememberÑMODERATION!"
Although there are no sugars, carbs, protein or anything else in hard liquors and very very little in wine, alcohol can be a diet buster. The calories are from the alcohol which has approx. 7 calories per gram. The higher the proof, the more calories per drink. 80 proof liquor has approx. 14 grams of alcohol(ETOH) per jigger (1.5 oz.). 100 proof has 17 grams of ETOH per jigger. Red and white wines have 13.5 grams of ETOH per 5 oz. serving. Red and white wine both have the heart healthy component resveratrol, but red wine has more. So there are added advantages to drinking wine. Light beer has approx. 5 carbs (including small amounts of sugars) , and approx. 11 grams of ETOH per 12 oz can. So in addition to the calories in the ETOH, the carbs add another 20 calories per can. (carbs have 4 calories per gram).
| Sat, 10-16-2004 - 3:30pm |

| Mon, 10-25-2004 - 7:45am |

