South Beach Diet

Avatar for imthebigsister
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Registered: 03-26-2003
South Beach Diet
7
Tue, 09-16-2003 - 1:49pm
I don't want to be a harpie about this program because I like it, but the content of a WebMD panel interview with Dr. Agatston is posted on the SBD board. If you're unsure about buying the book or trying the program, you might want to read the transcript first.

Donna

Avatar for dmm11730
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Registered: 04-06-2003
Tue, 09-16-2003 - 4:28pm
Donna maybe I need to rethink everything. I have thought about the diet but money being so tight here I hate the idea of buying something else. What is the name of the book? I wonder if the library has it, yet? Anything I see online cost money to get more info. What site offers this info? Please let me know.

Deb

Debbie

Avatar for imthebigsister
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 09-16-2003 - 5:31pm
Deb - I got the book at Barnes & Noble for around $18; it lists for $25. Cheaper than a manicure. Check out back issues of Prevention magazine for the basics, or check the book out of the library just to read a little and check out some of the recipes. Visit the South Beach Diet message board at ivillage, also. I've lurked there a little the last couple of days; it's very active - probably because the program is gaining popularity and people are seeing results quickly, and it's based on sound nutritional practice. Those people who aren't achieving the promised results are also quite vocal.

Go to Google and enter South Beach Diet; you'll get the Amazon and bookstore sites, but you'll also get to SBD on-line; I don't know if there's a cost for the on-line subscription. You'll get some info about the program written by registered dieticians as well as read some criticisms.

I love the concept - wipe out "bad" carbs and put a hold on fruit of all kinds for 2 weeks. No bread, no rice, no pasta, no potatoes of any kind, no beets, no carrots, no corn, no sugar, no cake, no cookies, no pie, no brownies. It's meant to kill your cravings for starchy carbs. Fruit is put on hold because even though it's not a simple carb itself and is a wonderful source of fiber, it's full of sugar. You can eat lean meat and piles of veggies, and you can use regular salad dressing within moderation. I'm not completely certain of low-fat dairy, since there's sugar in milk; haven't read that part yet. That's Phase I. Supposedly you'll lose 8 to 13 pounds in this phase, based on how much weight you need to lose. If I remember, you don't have far to go, so you probably shouldn't expect to lose this big. I've got 30 or so pounds; if all goes according to plan, I'll have some serious loss to report at the end of week 2. If not, well, I've spent $18 dollars in far dumber ways with nothing to show for it, and I'll have the book so I can always try it again.

You start Phase II by reintroducing the carbs you eliminated, making sure the bread is whole grain, the rice is brown, and that you do it gradually, not in a big, unending pasta or cookie pigout. I haven't been hungry for 3 days, except for a little bit Sunday afternoon when I started, then I got distracted by the football game and ate just a low-fat mozzarella stick until dinner (low-fat mozzzarella is rapidly turning into my pacifier!). You stay on Phase II until you reach your goal. This is where you can trip up, but the solution is simple - go back to Phase I until you get past the carb cravings and drop the couple of pounds you regained, then go back and re-enter Phase II with a little more caution. I fully expect to enter and re-enter Phase II a few times before I get it right.

Phase III is eating "normally", but the theory is that you will have retrained yourself to not crave carbs and will find lean meats, veggies, low-fat dairy, and an occasional treat satisfying for the rest of your life.

I like the quick start - given my frustration with WW, it appeals to me (on WW for 6 months, I lost the same 6 pounds twice). I also like that in addition to making my jeans feel looser, I'm doing good things for the inside. That part is more complicated than I can describe, but the fat that this program attacks is "belly fat", which we've heard so much bad news about recently.

Here's what I ate today:

Breakfast: Cheerios with nuts (not a low-carb choice, but all I could do given how late we were running today) and vanilla soymilk

Coffee with H&H and Sweet n Low (hate that stuff - going to get some Splenda tonight)

Snack: Part-skim mozzarella stick, 2 sticks of celery with hummus

Lunch (in a restaurant): 2 coconut shrimp without dipping sauce, salad with a mustard-based dressing, grilled salmon (orange butter on the side - barely touched), green beans (I asked the waiter to make sure there were no potatoes on the plate), coffee with H&H and Equal

Snack: two slices low-fat deli turkey, mozzarella stick, cucumber

Dinner: either fish or grilled turkey tips left over from a lunch last week.

I'm totally and completely not hungry now. I can't see myself diving into the refrigerator when I get home.

OK - this isn't the whole story. You still need to read the book, or at least a summary of it. I don't think you can go really wrong with this.

Not trying to convert you, but hoping you'll take a look.....

Donna

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 09-16-2003 - 6:28pm
I've read the book, tried it, recommended it to clients. It's a good solid plan. Best of luck Donna!

Phyllis

Live With Passion!

Phyllis

Avatar for dmm11730
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Tue, 09-16-2003 - 9:12pm
Well I think tomorrow a trip to the book store. It sounds very similar to the Curves diet plan from what you described. I will check it out. Thanks, I am getting very depressed over this.


Deb

Debbie

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 09-17-2003 - 12:20am
Our library had several copies, does your library have online services where you can see what they have and # of copies?

Deb
Avatar for dmm11730
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Wed, 09-17-2003 - 7:24am
Funny you should ask me that. Someone else asked me about it a few weeks back when we were talking about yoga tapes, she recomended I look online. I do not have a clue how to do it. But my library is in walking distance from my house. So maybe at 9 I will throw me sneakers on and walk there, its right where I do my 2 mile walk anyway. I will pop in and find out in person.

Deb

Debbie

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 09-17-2003 - 8:33am
I think it was back in May when Tim and I were doing the South Beach Diet. I had good success with it while I was doing it until around July 4th. The main reason I bought the book was for the recipes.

Check out www.southbeachdiet.com and www.prevention.com for more info.

Rhonda

       ~~Rhonda~~


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