Whats the Difference???

NanaBarbie · 05-05-2007, 06:37 AM

I am new to all of this. My daughter has lost 40 pounds on Atkins and wants me to go on it. My one doctor is in favor of South Beach. My other doctor says Atkins is OK. What is the difference between the two diets?? Both are low-carb right? Also, I am a diabetic so I have concerns there. I have about 100 pounds to lose. Thanks for your help!

LowCarbRachel · 05-05-2007, 08:56 AM

Hi, there! I know of at least two of us on this board who have had doctors suggest SBD, so you're in good company.

Here are a few differences between the early stages of Atkins and SBD.

Atkins (two week induction)
very low in carbs, under 20 a day
mostly proteins (lean or full-fat), cheeses (full-fat is fine), fats, and green veggies

SB (two week of Phase 1)
somewhat low in carbs, no counting
mostly lean proteins, green veggies, low-fat cheeses, 1/2 cup of beans a day, 2 servings of low-fat dairy a day

As the plans progress, it goes like this:

Atkins, OWL
Add 5 carbs a day for a week week (going up the carb ladder) until you stop losing weight

SB, Phase 2
Add 1 fruit and 1 whole gain each day for a week, check for weight loss
Then try 2 fruits, 2 grains
And try and get to 3 fruits, 3 grains, this is Dr. A.'s ideal for us.

Both are good plans. Atkins is full-fat and SBD is lower fat but not low fat. Atkins is lower carb than SBD and if you follow the carb ladder, you can see that you're adding 5 carbs a day for a week as opposed to adding roughly 40 carbs a week on SBD. I have friends maintaining on Atkins on 60-100 carbs a day and friends maintaining on SBD on 100-200 carbs a day. (SBD doesn't count carbs, I'm just throwing those out there for some sort of comparison.) Just depends on your body, what you like, what you can handle, how the plan makes you feel, and so forth.

To choose, I'd consider...

...what plan can you stay with for life?
...what would you miss the most in the early stages of the plan?
...do you love full-fat foods, real butter, and so forth?

Good luck to you!

Rachel

NanaBarbie · 05-05-2007, 09:42 AM

Thanks so much for your explanation. This really clears it up for me. I wont' make a decisions until I have read both books. I am working on the SBD now. From what you say, I think the SBD would fit in with my lifestyle better but then I see the wonderful success my daughter is having on Atkins. The difference between her and I is #1 age, and #1 she is healthy and I have health problems and am on meds. Thanks for your input. It is really appreciated.

LowCarbRachel · 05-05-2007, 09:57 AM

You're welcome! As you read the SBD book, keep in mind that the plan has been updated on a couple of things:

...we can have caffeine in P1
...we are encouraged to have 2 8oz servings of nonfat or lowfat plain milk or yogurt
...we are encouraged to have 1/2 cup of beans per day

These are all changes that reflect current medical research.

Good luck! They are both good plans!

Rachel

jandanoj · 05-05-2007, 04:56 PM

Hi, Nana,
Just to add to what Rachel has already told you - my doctor recommended SBD to me because my fasting blood sugar was 115 and he was concerned since my mother has diabetes. SBD works with the glycemic index.
Join us. This is a VERY supportive group! BTW, I have about 65 pounds to lose.
Jan

p.s. Rachel, you look great!

NanaBarbie · 05-05-2007, 06:27 PM

I just have to ask. I have noticed that you are "encouraged to eat" beans. Do they mean "green" beans. Also, why beans? Thanks!

jandanoj · 05-05-2007, 06:40 PM

Well, I tend to eat a lot of steamed soy beans. I also eat kidney beans in chili, and I have used garbanzo beans in my salads. I think green beans are considered a vegetable. I think beans are a protein, but I will check. They are also fat free.

NanaBarbie · 05-05-2007, 06:53 PM

Thanks Again! So much to learn! So much of what I am reading is just the opposite of what I have always been told. But I know it works because I just have to look at my beautiful daughter. Plus all of your testimonies makes me wonder where I've been. Ha Ha!

2bdancing · 05-07-2007, 08:08 AM

LowCarbRachel - Again thanks for your comparison. Looking at it this way I believe I was maintaing on SB all along. This is comforting because once I lose these initial 10#'s I know I can maintain.

05-05-2007, 08:56 AM	#2
LowCarbRachel Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Salt Lake Area Posts: 12,011 Gallery: LowCarbRachel Stats: size 4/6 (maintaining) WOE: eating healthy foods	Hi, there! I know of at least two of us on this board who have had doctors suggest SBD, so you're in good company. Here are a few differences between the early stages of Atkins and SBD. Atkins (two week induction) very low in carbs, under 20 a day mostly proteins (lean or full-fat), cheeses (full-fat is fine), fats, and green veggies SB (two week of Phase 1) somewhat low in carbs, no counting mostly lean proteins, green veggies, low-fat cheeses, 1/2 cup of beans a day, 2 servings of low-fat dairy a day As the plans progress, it goes like this: Atkins, OWL Add 5 carbs a day for a week week (going up the carb ladder) until you stop losing weight SB, Phase 2 Add 1 fruit and 1 whole gain each day for a week, check for weight loss Then try 2 fruits, 2 grains And try and get to 3 fruits, 3 grains, this is Dr. A.'s ideal for us. Both are good plans. Atkins is full-fat and SBD is lower fat but not low fat. Atkins is lower carb than SBD and if you follow the carb ladder, you can see that you're adding 5 carbs a day for a week as opposed to adding roughly 40 carbs a week on SBD. I have friends maintaining on Atkins on 60-100 carbs a day and friends maintaining on SBD on 100-200 carbs a day. (SBD doesn't count carbs, I'm just throwing those out there for some sort of comparison.) Just depends on your body, what you like, what you can handle, how the plan makes you feel, and so forth. To choose, I'd consider... ...what plan can you stay with for life? ...what would you miss the most in the early stages of the plan? ...do you love full-fat foods, real butter, and so forth? Good luck to you! Rachel Last edited by LowCarbRachel : 05-05-2007 at 09:00 AM.

05-05-2007, 09:42 AM	#3
NanaBarbie Junior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 10 Gallery: NanaBarbie	Thanks Thanks so much for your explanation. This really clears it up for me. I wont' make a decisions until I have read both books. I am working on the SBD now. From what you say, I think the SBD would fit in with my lifestyle better but then I see the wonderful success my daughter is having on Atkins. The difference between her and I is #1 age, and #1 she is healthy and I have health problems and am on meds. Thanks for your input. It is really appreciated.

05-05-2007, 06:53 PM	#8
NanaBarbie Junior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 10 Gallery: NanaBarbie	Thanks Again Thanks Again! So much to learn! So much of what I am reading is just the opposite of what I have always been told. But I know it works because I just have to look at my beautiful daughter. Plus all of your testimonies makes me wonder where I've been. Ha Ha!

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05-05-2007, 06:37 AM	#1
NanaBarbie Junior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 10 Gallery: NanaBarbie	Whats the Difference??? I am new to all of this. My daughter has lost 40 pounds on Atkins and wants me to go on it. My one doctor is in favor of South Beach. My other doctor says Atkins is OK. What is the difference between the two diets?? Both are low-carb right? Also, I am a diabetic so I have concerns there. I have about 100 pounds to lose. Thanks for your help!

05-05-2007, 09:57 AM	#4
LowCarbRachel Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Salt Lake Area Posts: 12,011 Gallery: LowCarbRachel Stats: size 4/6 (maintaining) WOE: eating healthy foods	You're welcome! As you read the SBD book, keep in mind that the plan has been updated on a couple of things: ...we can have caffeine in P1 ...we are encouraged to have 2 8oz servings of nonfat or lowfat plain milk or yogurt ...we are encouraged to have 1/2 cup of beans per day These are all changes that reflect current medical research. Good luck! They are both good plans! Rachel

05-05-2007, 04:56 PM	#5
jandanoj Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 234 Gallery: jandanoj WOE: South Beach Start Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2007	Hi, Nana, Just to add to what Rachel has already told you - my doctor recommended SBD to me because my fasting blood sugar was 115 and he was concerned since my mother has diabetes. SBD works with the glycemic index. Join us. This is a VERY supportive group! BTW, I have about 65 pounds to lose. Jan p.s. Rachel, you look great!

05-05-2007, 06:27 PM	#6
NanaBarbie Junior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 10 Gallery: NanaBarbie	I just have to ask. I have noticed that you are "encouraged to eat" beans. Do they mean "green" beans. Also, why beans? Thanks!

05-05-2007, 06:40 PM	#7
jandanoj Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 234 Gallery: jandanoj WOE: South Beach Start Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2007	Well, I tend to eat a lot of steamed soy beans. I also eat kidney beans in chili, and I have used garbanzo beans in my salads. I think green beans are considered a vegetable. I think beans are a protein, but I will check. They are also fat free.

05-07-2007, 08:08 AM	#9
2bdancing Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 991 Gallery: 2bdancing Stats: 150/124/120 5'4.5" medium frame WOE: Modified Atkins/Mainly SB Start Date: February 2001 restart February 2006	LowCarbRachel - Again thanks for your comparison. Looking at it this way I believe I was maintaing on SB all along. This is comforting because once I lose these initial 10#'s I know I can maintain.