South Beach Diet- Want To Start A Support Thread?

[cyberprof]

Hi everyone,

I need to lose about 30 pounds and am going to start the South Beach Diet in a few days. Anyone want to join me?

~Laura

[Ursa Major]

Laura, while a low-carb diet can be a good idea for losing weight for some people (depending on their metabolic type), the South Beach Diet is NOT a good way to go. Here is a link that explains why. Open Original Shared Link

The Paleo diet might be a better option. Why don't you search 'Paleo Diet' here, and join the group that is doing it?

[jnclelland]

Laura,

I've been doing South Beach for about a year, and I love it! I've been doing it gluten/dariy/soy-free, which does require some modifications to the diet as written, but it can be done. It's certainly a lot healthier than I was eating before, and I feel better than I have in - well, ever, I guess!

The article that Ursa posted was interesting; I don't agree with everything that Dr. Mercola has to say, but he does make some valid points. However, I think that they're all pretty easily addressed by minor modifications to the diet. (e.g., obviously you're not going to be eating gluten, right?)

There's a good South Beach support forum at Open Original Shared Link. There's a lot of good advice and support there, particularly for figuring out how to modify the plan so that it works for YOU.

I lost about 15 pounds when I started about a year ago; then life got busy and I slacked off on exercise, so I pretty much stayed at the same point for awhile. But now that it's summer and I have a bit more free time (I'm a college professor and don't teach in the summer), I'm hoping to get to the gym more often and hopefully lose a bit more.

Good luck!

Jeanne

[cyberprof]

Thanks Jeanne. Funny, I'm an adjunct college instructor (and a banker full-time).

Your 15 pound loss and the fact that you kept it off is a good result. I'd be happy with that. I will be doing it mostly dairy free (and gluten free, of course).

I did look at the SBD forum but would rather have someone to talk to who is both celiac and SBD. I'm looking to start a support thread or trade emails. Are you interested?

~Laura

  jnclelland said:

Laura,

I've been doing South Beach for about a year, and I love it! I've been doing it gluten/dariy/soy-free, which does require some modifications to the diet as written, but it can be done. It's certainly a lot healthier than I was eating before, and I feel better than I have in - well, ever, I guess!

The article that Ursa posted was interesting; I don't agree with everything that Dr. Mercola has to say, but he does make some valid points. However, I think that they're all pretty easily addressed by minor modifications to the diet. (e.g., obviously you're not going to be eating gluten, right?)

There's a good South Beach support forum at Open Original Shared Link. There's a lot of good advice and support there, particularly for figuring out how to modify the plan so that it works for YOU.

I lost about 15 pounds when I started about a year ago; then life got busy and I slacked off on exercise, so I pretty much stayed at the same point for awhile. But now that it's summer and I have a bit more free time (I'm a college professor and don't teach in the summer), I'm hoping to get to the gym more often and hopefully lose a bit more.

Good luck!

Jeanne

[cyberprof]

  Ursa Major said:

Laura, while a low-carb diet can be a good idea for losing weight for some people (depending on their metabolic type), the South Beach Diet is NOT a good way to go. Here is a link that explains why. Open Original Shared Link

The Paleo diet might be a better option. Why don't you search 'Paleo Diet' here, and join the group that is doing it?

Ursa, you must not have read any other my other posts but I am very familiar with the Paleo diet, have read the book and my hubby has been on it for 2 years. Further, I don't consider that I'm a SBD groupie or that I follow it blindly, i.e., I don't use aspartame, limit dairy and I am knowledgeable about contaminated fish. I also don't buy any SBD food items and I didn't buy the books (well, I got them used). I'm doing a hybrid SBD. I also don't trust everything anyone says, including Dr. Mercola. And finally, SBD is not extreme low carb...have you read the book?

However well-intentioned, I didn't ask for a negative comment on my diet, especially since my post only asked for posters to join me and not for advice. No one has to join me if they don't want to and I am not trying to convince anyone that my plan is good or better than some other plan.

~Laura

[Ursa Major]

Laura, you were not saying that you would do a modified SBD diet, and I was just concerned that you would be doing more damage to yourself. Sorry if I offended you.

[jnclelland]

  cyberprof said:

Thanks Jeanne. Funny, I'm an adjunct college instructor (and a banker full-time).

Your 15 pound loss and the fact that you kept it off is a good result. I'd be happy with that. I will be doing it mostly dairy free (and gluten free, of course).

I did look at the SBD forum but would rather have someone to talk to who is both celiac and SBD. I'm looking to start a support thread or trade emails. Are you interested?

~Laura

Sure, I'm game! :-) I think there are a few other SBD'er's around here, so maybe they'll jump in too. It's definitely different doing it gluten/dairy-free. But still, I did get a few useful tidbits from the SBD forum - like, for instance, be sure that in Phase 1 you really are eating ALL the allowed carbs, or you can end up feeling pretty crummy after awhile. Beans are really good. And dairy if you're doing dairy, or hopefully some subsititute if you're not. I used soy milk and soy yogurt in place of dairy in Phase 1; unfortunately, after a few months I figured out that soy was causing me problems too! Good thing I was well into Phase 2 by then; I'm not sure what I would have done for Phase 1 carbs otherwise!

Jeanne

[Dandelion]

  cyberprof said:

Hi everyone,

I need to lose about 30 pounds and am going to start the South Beach Diet in a few days. Anyone want to join me?

~Laura

Laura,

I was so excited to find your thread! I've done South Beach in the past and lost 30 pounds without even exercising. It was really easy. I want to start it up again but have some questions. In Phase 2 what do you do about the starches (breads, cereals, etc)? When I did the diet before I used whole wheat products. So I guess my question is - can you substitute gluten free bread or cereal? Or do you just not have any at all and basically stay in Phase 1?

Beth

[jnclelland]

  Dandelion said:

Laura,

I was so excited to find your thread! I've done South Beach in the past and lost 30 pounds without even exercising. It was really easy. I want to start it up again but have some questions. In Phase 2 what do you do about the starches (breads, cereals, etc)? When I did the diet before I used whole wheat products. So I guess my question is - can you substitute gluten free bread or cereal? Or do you just not have any at all and basically stay in Phase 1?

Beth

What I've done is this: I've settled into two starches a day, at breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is usually a piece of toast made from Breads by Anna bread. It's not technically whole grain, but it's closer than a lot of gluten-free breads. If not that, then Arrowhead Mills "Rice and Shine" cream of rice cereal. Dinner is usually brown rice, quinoa (both totally South Beach - approved), or occasionally rice pasta or a sweet potato.

I actually adore South Beach for the fact that it means I eat a lot LESS grains than I used to , so I don't have to work nearly as hard at finding gluten-free subsitutes as I did before!

Jeanne

[Dandelion]

Thanks for the reply. Count me in!!!!!!! I will officially be starting on Monday.

[cyberprof]

Dandelion and Jeanne, I never started last month but I'm ready to start now!

Do we want to start a new thread or do you want to do it via PM?

~Laura

  Dandelion said:

Thanks for the reply. Count me in!!!!!!! I will officially be starting on Monday.

[Dandelion]

  cyberprof said:

Dandelion and Jeanne, I never started last month but I'm ready to start now!

Do we want to start a new thread or do you want to do it via PM?

~Laura

How about a new thread? This way if anyone else wants to join us they can.

Beth

[jnclelland]

  Dandelion said:

How about a new thread? This way if anyone else wants to join us they can.

Beth

Works for me.

Jeanne

[cyberprof]

Great, sounds good.

~Laura

  jnclelland said:

Works for me.

Jeanne

[gdobson]

  cyberprof said:

Great, sounds good.

~Laura

Wait! Don't leave me out. I confess I don't know much about the South Beach Diet, but I'ld like to give it a try. I keep looking for diet/exercise buddies, but I never have any luck! Can I do it, too?

[Dandelion]

  gdobson said:

Wait! Don't leave me out. I confess I don't know much about the South Beach Diet, but I'ld like to give it a try. I keep looking for diet/exercise buddies, but I never have any luck! Can I do it, too?

You can definitely join us! Glad to have you on board. South Beach is so easy to do. You won't even feel like you are dieting. I joined South Beach Diet online so if anyone needs any info just let me know.

Today is the start of Phase 1 for me. My goal is to lose 25 pounds.

Beth

[gdobson]

  Dandelion said:

You can definitely join us! Glad to have you on board. South Beach is so easy to do. You won't even feel like you are dieting. I joined South Beach Diet online so if anyone needs any info just let me know.

Today is the start of Phase 1 for me. My goal is to lose 25 pounds.

Beth

Thanks! I'm in, but I just read up about Phase I and it says NO ALCOHOL at all. As of Saturday, I am starting a vacation with wine tasting and all that implies. I guess it would be a waste of time to do it this week and blow it next week?

[Dandelion]

  gdobson said:

Thanks! I'm in, but I just read up about Phase I and it says NO ALCOHOL at all. As of Saturday, I am starting a vacation with wine tasting and all that implies. I guess it would be a waste of time to do it this week and blow it next week?

You could start it this week and then maybe just do an extra week of Phase 1. But if you want to wait until after your vacation (which is completely understandable) we'll be right here. Just join us then.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Beth

[gdobson]

  Dandelion said:

You could start it this week and then maybe just do an extra week of Phase 1. But if you want to wait until after your vacation (which is completely understandable) we'll be right here. Just join us then.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Beth

OK, I'm excited. But I'm a huge diet screw up because I always end up starving myself. And I think I already screwed up today. I'm looking at my desk and I see my Diet coke, decaf herbal tea, bottle of water, and the gluten free/lactose free slimfast I had for breakfast and 1 for lunch - so I ruined today. Any suggestions on how I can do dinner right?

[Dandelion]

  gdobson said:

OK, I'm excited. But I'm a huge diet screw up because I always end up starving myself. And I think I already screwed up today. I'm looking at my desk and I see my Diet coke, decaf herbal tea, bottle of water, and the gluten free/lactose free slimfast I had for breakfast and 1 for lunch - so I ruined today. Any suggestions on how I can do dinner right?

The great thing about this diet is how forgiving it is. At least that's been my experience. When I did it the first time I found I could cheat once a week and not ruin the whole thing. The diet was set up knowing that we will make mistakes and that we are only human. I think that's what I like best about it. Dr. A really gets it.

What are you in the mood for tonight? I will look up some Phase 1 recipes for you.

Dinner is:

Protein - Quantity is not limited. Start with a 3 oz. portion, eat slowly, go back for seconds if still hungry.

Vegetables - Minimum 2 cups. You are encouraged to include a serving of beans (1/3-1/2 cup) as part of your vegetables.

Milk/Dairy - 2 cups allowed daily (including yogurt)

Fat - 1 Tbsp mayonnaise, trans-free margarine or oil, or 2 Tbsp salad dressing

[gdobson]

  Dandelion said:

The great thing about this diet is how forgiving it is. At least that's been my experience. When I did it the first time I found I could cheat once a week and not ruin the whole thing. The diet was set up knowing that we will make mistakes and that we are only human. I think that's what I like best about it. Dr. A really gets it.

What are you in the mood for tonight? I will look up some Phase 1 recipes for you.

Dinner is:

Protein - Quantity is not limited. Start with a 3 oz. portion, eat slowly, go back for seconds if still hungry.

Vegetables - Minimum 2 cups. You are encouraged to include a serving of beans (1/3-1/2 cup) as part of your vegetables.

Milk/Dairy - 2 cups allowed daily (including yogurt)

Fat - 1 Tbsp mayonnaise, trans-free margarine or oil, or 2 Tbsp salad dressing

OK, I love lima beans and chickpeas and lintels. But I have a hard time with the meat - are we allowed canned tuna or does it have to be like beef? I do have some ground beef in the freezer I could do. And Dairy - hate milk. Is cheese or cottage cheese allowed?

Any ideas with any of that? I'm a mess. I like roasted veggies drizzled w/ olive oil. I guess that would work.

[Dandelion]

  gdobson said:

OK, I love lima beans and chickpeas and lintels. But I have a hard time with the meat - are we allowed canned tuna or does it have to be like beef? I do have some ground beef in the freezer I could do. And Dairy - hate milk. Is cheese or cottage cheese allowed?

Any ideas with any of that? I'm a mess. I like roasted veggies drizzled w/ olive oil. I guess that would work.

Gina,

You can have canned tuna. Cheese (low fat) and cottage cheese are also allowed. If you send me your email address I can send you the phase 1 list of foods to enjoy and avoid.

These are some of the tuna/vegetable based recipes I found so far. If you like chicken there's a lot of yummy recipes.

White Bean and Tuna Salad

Serves 2

Ingredients

1 6-ounce can chunk light tuna, drained

1 cup rinsed canned small white beans

5 cherry tomatoes, quartered

2 scallions, sliced (about 1⁄4 cup)

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1⁄8 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

Combine tuna, beans, tomatoes, scallions, oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir gently to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Chickpea and Red Onion Salad

serves 2

Ingredients

2 tablespoons slivered red onion

1/2 cup rinsed, drained chickpeas

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil, preferably extra-virgin

1 1/2 teaspoons drained capers, rinsed and coarsely chopped

Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste

Red-leaf lettuce leaves

Instructions

In a medium-sized bowl, cover onions with cold water and let soak for 10 minutes. Drain well and place in a salad bowl. Add chickpeas, parsley, lemon juice, oil, and capers; stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Serve on lettuce leaves.

Lentil and Kale Stew

4 (2-cup)

Description

This is so hearty that calling it a mere soup just didn

[Dandelion]

It's day two. How's everyone doing? Yesterday went really well, but eggs every morning is starting to bother me already. Oh well, it's only for two weeks. Time to buck up. It will be worth it in the end.

[gdobson]

  Dandelion said:

It's day two. How's everyone doing? Yesterday went really well, but eggs every morning is starting to bother me already. Oh well, it's only for two weeks. Time to buck up. It will be worth it in the end.

I was a late starter for yesterday, but I had the above recipe you sent for tuna/white bean salad for dinner....yum yum yum.

Today has been good, although I feel like I've eaten more than I usually would allow myself on a diet. But at least I'm not starving! I roasted some almonds for snacks and fixed up those cherry tomatoes w/ balsamic vinegar. My problem is eating 30 of them instead of 10.

So far so good, but sorry to say I'll be off of it next week for vacation.

[cyberprof]

Wow, Beth you have a lot of good recipies.

I don't usually get tired of eggs but I have quite a few ways that I cook them. I can post some recipies later. I usually do a make-ahead casserole thingy (but not today).

I am eating fruit, so kind of a modified Phase I. Two years ago when I did this I missed the whole strawberry season, so I'm not doing that this year.

Today's food plan:

B'fast:

Egg (non-stick pan)

4 slices Turkey bacon

Lunch:

Shrimp salad with veggies

Snack: Lara bar

Dinner: Hot Salmon salad with low-fat buttermilk dressing

Snack: ? apple and low-fat cheddar

Exercise: 1 hour bike ride plus yoga/abs work

Have a good day, everyone!

  Dandelion said:

It's day two. How's everyone doing? Yesterday went really well, but eggs every morning is starting to bother me already. Oh well, it's only for two weeks. Time to buck up. It will be worth it in the end.