Tagged As: south beach healthy diet
Question:
I was wondering what the general feel is for the South Beach diet. I did low carb pretty religiously for about 3 years starting in August of 2000. I went from 268 to 195 in less than one year and felt great. Stayed in maintenance until late 2003. After I went back to carbs I started gaining, just a little at a time, but now I find myself at 224 and quite unhappy. The reason I went off was because my wife, who refused to read any of my information, had the general impression that low carb was unhealthy. Now that it's becoming more mainstream (I think because it actually works) and I am becoming more round, she is open to me going back but would prefer SB because it is, supposedly, more heart healthy. Both my parents were recently diagnosed with heart disease, so she is afraid for my health. I am still in Phase 1, which seems a lot like induction, but more restrictive. I've lost about 4 lbs so far, so it seems to be working, but I worry about adding carbs back in phase two. Don't suggest that I stay in phase 1 forever, I don't think I could keep it up and I don't want to restart the feud again. I was just looking for opinions on SB in general. I'm in no big hurry to shed the poundage, but I do want to lose it eventually and improve my health in the process. Any suggestion about south beach healthy diet. Thanks
Answer:
Okay, first? Yes, your wife is right to be concerned about your health, because that's what spouses do, but she shouldn't make judgments about a diet if she hasn't read the book. Second? Kitchen and shopping logistics might make a difference. Does she do most/all of the cooking? If so, that gives her leverage in this situation. Third, I read both Atkins and SB before I started a hybrid plan I developed for myself, and I don't think the two plans are that different. More directly, you may not lose as fast on SB as you did on Atkins, but you'll lose, and it's a healthy diet. I thought the major differences were in the area of dairy products and the reintroduction of fruit into the diet. The bottom line is, on both you'll be eating more vegetables and fewer sweet and/or refined carbs.
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