looking to switch, opinions and input welcome.

[veronicka]

Hi everyone, I am currently on atkins and I keep finding it very hard not to cheat b/c i love fruit and hate eggs and fatty foods. I have done atkins once before and i know that you can lose alot of weight in a short amount of time. However, my friend is restarting SBD after her second child and she has recommended it to me. So i went and got the book and I'm going to start reading it today. Anyway, so here is my question, have any of you been on atkins and switched to SB? If so, which did you like better, lose easier on, and why? I think that SB diet is a diet that i can probably stick to for life, whereas I cant really see myself doing atkins for that long. I'm going to stay on atkins while i read the book and then i'm gonna try it. Any helpful suggestions or personal stories would be greatly appreciated.
thanks in advance,
veronica.

[justmarvi]

Hi Veronicka, I didn't switch from Atkins but The food list has been expanded since the book was published so be sure and check out the update sticky thread or check out the Phase 1 food list sticky. I think you'll like the additions. Also, there's a post of help by Dr. Agatston for those switching from Atkins to SBD on the 3rd page of the Tip of the Day Thread. I'm sure the guys will chime in as we have several who are happy with the change. Good luck!

[zeraspride]

Hi Veronica,

I sort of mixed SBD and Atkins together for quite a while and had great success and then I stopped losing. I had to come back full time to SBD and I loved it. I eventually stopped losing with it too because I wasn't quite willing to give up all my high fat foods like heavy cream and wings and stuff like that. I finally came to realization that I had to cut back on and watch my calories, plus I stepped up my exercise routine and now the scale is moving again.

I think like you said, SBD is a great program to live with for life because you can have the whole grains, fruit and such. That's the main reason I combined the two programs - I liked my high fat foods and I liked my grains and fruit. Liike I said, it worked for a while but I think my body finally made me choose and I seem to do a lot better on lower fat and smaller portions with lots of fruit and veggies.

I know you can be successful with SBD, especially since you've got the basics down from your time on Atkins. What's lovely too about SBD is that you don't have to count calories, fat or carbs. I thought that was the definite selling point of SBD over Atkins for me.

I wish you much success and we would love to have you join us on the Beach!

[veronicka]

Hi Justmarvi and zeraspride. thank you so much for replying. well, i started reading and already it sounds good. so i cant wait.

justmarvi: i noticed you've lost a significant amount of weight, was that on SBD only? Also, your profile says you restarted in january and are still in phase 1, does this help increase your weight loss?

[justmarvi]

I think you're going to love SBD Veronicka.

I've lost a total of 45 lbs since June of 2002, regaining and relosing 20-30 lbs each year since then, bouncing between all the weight loss plans. This year was my second attempt with South Beach with my beginning weight being 195, I think it can be a healthy way of life for me and it's doable.

I basically stay pretty close to phase 1, I call it Phase 1.5ish, usually having 1 fruit or 1 grain daily but allowing the option for more if needed or neither if I need more control. I go the low sat/good fat woe, low fat proteins, veggies, very very little artificial sweetner or frankenfoods. Just what works for me. I hope this helps.

Marva

[veronicka]

thanks for replying! i'm hispanic so i love pinto beans, from what i've read so far, they're allowed during phase 1 right? i also love lentils, are those allowed in phase1? sorry for all the questions, but i couldnt believe my eyes when i read it, i'm going to love SBD once i get started!!!

[justmarvi]

I love beans too and yes, we can have them....

check out the beans on the beach post.....

o(';')o Tip Of The Day o(';')o

[Stacyhdx]

Hi! And welcome!

I switched from atkins to SBD. Im just not a huge meat eater and i love my fruits and veggies, ect. I find that i'd rather be on a heart healthy diet then anything else.

The one thing i noticed is that when i cheated on atkins, i could gain 10 pounds in like 3 days..it was out of control...but on SBD, its not like that at all..i know that i can have a few things here and there that arent the best things, but i can get right back on the wagon and i didnt just screw everything up completely.

I can still have full fat salad dressings, which rocks. Basically i think of this as a low sugar diet...you want the least amt of sugar as possible...its not about carbs. You also want the leanest meats..chicken, pork, lean hamburger, ect...instead of the high fat stuff.

I think you'll enjoy it, but i would definantly suggest reading the book. Its very imformative and it makes a ton of sense.

I know Reg switched as well..she was on atkins for quite a long time..might be worth asking her

Stacy

[Reg]

Originally Posted by Stacyhdx

I know Reg switched as well..she was on atkins for quite a long time..might be worth asking her

I fell off the Atkins wagon about a year ago and gained back 20 lbs....I was low carbing and cheating . I had lost 60-something pounds on Atkins, then, just couldnt stick to it any more.

I havent been very successful with SBD, but I like that the plan is lower in fat and the option to have bread, atkins-taboo fruits, and air popped popcorn, excites the crap out of me.

I've had some family parties recently, along with some emotional baggage that I've been carrying, so that's why I havent done as well as I should.

What I really need to do is have either one grain serving or one fruit serving a day.....currently I'm having both.

I am confident that one day I will get my butt back in gear.....I'm taking it one day at a time.

The support here is amazing !! You'll luv it here !!

Good luck !!

[veronicka]

Thank you all for replying. I would love to be able to stick to atkins b/c it works so fast, but I just can't. The friend who recommended SBD told me that she lost 60 lbs in 10 months and that sounds fast enough for me, especially if i'm able to eat some fruit and whole grains. I think that being on this diet I won't even feel like I'm on a diet since I'm so used to the more strict atkins approach. Do any of you feel that way? I'm hoping that I have success w/ this diet b/c this is the first time I'm excited about trying any kind of diet, and to me that's a great sign. Do you all limit yourself to either fruit or a whole grain per day? I would like to be able to do both after the initial two weeks but I'm sure I'll be too afraid to if it stalls weight loss.

[veronicka]

Ok, i have been reading the book and the stickies for the phases and i have some questions, i hope ya'll dont mind helping me out here. In the book it says that you arent allowed to have pinto beans, but on the sticky it says you can. So can you? and if so, then is it ok to eat them refried? (like at a mexican food restaurant). Also, does anyone eat lentils? i loved them as a little girl and i was wondering if anyone has a recipe for lentil soup?
As far as meats go, Is it ok to eat roasts? I love to make pot roast w/ veggies and I wasnt sure it it's an acceptable meat.

thanks in advance,
veronica.

[justmarvi]

Originally Posted by veronicka

Ok, i have been reading the book and the stickies for the phases and i have some questions, i hope ya'll dont mind helping me out here. In the book it says that you arent allowed to have pinto beans, but on the sticky it says you can. So can you? and if so, then is it ok to eat them refried? (like at a mexican food restaurant). Also, does anyone eat lentils? i loved them as a little girl and i was wondering if anyone has a recipe for lentil soup?
As far as meats go, Is it ok to eat roasts? I love to make pot roast w/ veggies and I wasnt sure it it's an acceptable meat.

thanks in advance,
veronica.

You are correct, originally, they were to be added in during Phase 2 because of their higher GI, they have since been added to the Phase 1 food list since the publication of the book. As with other legumes, start slowly to determine if they are a trigger food for you.

This is one chat question and answer I got my info from, plus there were some phase 1 recipes..

Member Question - Are refried beans allowed in Phase 1? I notice that SBD advises some beans every day.

Answer: You may have some refried beans. It depends on the ingredients in them. Look for a type that does not have added sugars or any that are made with lard or saturated fats. The best choice is to make your own.
Rachel--SBD Nutritionist

And this.....

Question: I have been having salads everyday like i'm suppose to and have started adding 1/2c. fat free refried beans to the mix. Does this sound like a BIG no-no?
Started SBD 8/28.

Answer: I would have to know more about the beans you are using. Could you could post us again with the brand, nutrition facts label and ingredients? I know the Old El Paso Fat-free refried beans are ok.
Homemade refried beans are easy to make using a SBD recommend oil or non stick pan if you prefer. This is what I do:
Take a can of beans (pinto) and rinse them with water. Split the beans in half. Put one half aside and mash the other half using the back of a spoon and pressing them against the side of a bowl or use a food processor. Then in a non-stick skillet or use a skillet with a little bit of olive oil over medium heat you can saute a number of ingredient to add flavor. I usually do chopped onion, minced garlic and chopped peppers. You can do any ingredients you think will compliment the flavor. Once these vegetables are sauteed in the skillet over medium heat add both the mashed and in-tack beans. Heat through and you have refried beans.

-Beth/SBD Nutritionist


Mexican food is my dining out food of choice, I especially enjoyed this Daily Dish.

Eating South of the Border

(Published 11/13/03) If you've got a date with Mexican food, have no fear. Even this carbohydrate-rich cuisine is adaptable to the South Beach Diet™. Here are some ways to lighten your load and still enjoy Mexican food:
Try your favorite grilled meats as fajitas, tostadas, or soft tacos, with tortillas on the side. (No tortillas at all in Phase 1. In Phase 2, ask if they offer whole-wheat tortillas.)
Whole black or pinto (red) beans are fine, but rice is a killer. Refried beans are traditionally made with lard, so unless you know how they're prepared, best to avoid them.
Guacamole, sour cream, cheese, and salsa can turn an otherwise healthy meal into a gut buster. Fresh homemade salsa is the best (bottled salsas often contain sugar), followed by the heart-healthy avocado fat used to make guacamole. The sour cream and cheeses probably aren't the low- or nonfat variety so skip them. Other sauces, such as enchilada and tomatillo sauces are OK. Again, check for sugar.
A basket of chips is the equivalent of a basket of bread, so don't overindulge.
Skip the beer and margaritas. Choose water or sugar-free, caffeine-free sodas instead.
Top Daily Dishes


Finally, like a couple of other things......this was posted so, looks like this could be another gray area that we more or less make our own choice in determining if it's a trigger food for us.

Hi there,

I'm one of the message board moderators here at the South beach Diet Online. Although I'm not a nutritionist, I want to help you get your answer more quickly. One of our nutritionists had the following to say:

Pinto beans are listed under phase 2. Be careful of refried beans as they can contain lard or other high saturated fats. The best choice for phase 2 would be fat-free refried beans. Refried beans also do not have an established glycemic index. Therefore, when reintroducing fat-free refried beans during phase 2, monitor for any possible cravings.
Admin Jen


Veronica, lentils are great as is roast, just make your choice from the lean meat list and trim away all visible fats. There was a recipe for lentil soup posted last week, I'll see if I can find it......

I hope this helps,

Marva

[justmarvi]

Here's the recipe - omit the burgur in phase 1

Originally Posted by Shalbrihil

This month, warm up with these wonderful soups and stews! All October long we'll be sending you an extra quick and tasty recipe in a special bonus edition of the Monday Daily Dish. Whether you're preparing a meal for yourself or your whole family, these comforting dishes will help you welcome in the fall!

Red Lentil Soup with a Spicy Sizzle

Makes 8 cups

Ingredients
6 teaspoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 teaspoons ground cumin
8 cups defatted reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable stock
1-1/2 cups red lentils, rinsed
1/3 cup bulgur
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 bay leaf
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)

Instructions
In a soup pot, heat 2 teaspoons of the oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cumin and cook for 1 minute. Add stock, lentils, bulgur, tomato paste, and bay leaf; bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Cover and cook over low heat until the lentils and bulgur are very tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Discard the bay leaf.

Ladle about 4 cups of the soup into a food processor and puree. Return the pureed soup to the soup pot and heat through. Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Just before serving, ladle the soup into bowls. Heat the remaining 4 teaspoons of oil in a small skillet and stir in paprika and red pepper. Drizzle about 1/2 teaspoon of the sizzling spice mixture over each bowlful and serve immediately.

Recipe reprinted with permission of EatingWell, The Magazine of Food & Health.

Nutritional Information:
221.1 calories
4.17 g sugar
5.02 total fat (0.93 g sat)
0 mg cholesterol
31.81 g carbohydrate
14.52 g protein
7.19 g fiber
87.99 mg sodium

[veronicka]

marva, thank you so much. this really helps. I always make my own salsas, guacamole, beans, etc. so i think it will be ok. I'm gonna have to limit myself though. Do you think jalapenos are acceptable in phase 1? i had them on atkins and never had any problems. I'm not too sure about heavy whipping cream either. Atkins used it alot in his recipes, but it's not ok for SB right?
thanks
veronica.

[Shalbrihil]

Originally Posted by veronicka

Do you think jalapenos are acceptable in phase 1? i had them on atkins and never had any problems. I'm not too sure about heavy whipping cream either. Atkins used it alot in his recipes, but it's not ok for SB right?
thanks
veronica.

Hi veronica, in answer to your question jalapenos are just fine in phase 1. With the heavy cream Dr. A. suggests using nf half and half. Hope this helps you.

looking forward to getting to know you better.