Maison Rustique
06-26-2007, 04:00 PM
(http://www.otwa.com/community/showthread.php?t=15936)
Crows Nest Aug-05-04 07:37 PM
South Beach or Atkins?
I'm interested in knowing if you've been on either of these two diets. And, if so, which do you recommend and why?
Wayne Aug-05-04 07:43 PM
I've had great luck with Atkins. I looked at the South Beach diet but it looked too confusing and the dishes in the recipie section were way too complicated.
maison rustique Aug-05-04 07:43 PM
Watching this closely. I just bought the South Beach book, but as yet have tried neither. I picked South beach based on the comments in another thread here. And it seemed less stringent to me than what I've seen others go thru on Atkins.
Crows Nest Aug-05-04 07:49 PM
I need to state my reason for this poll. And, thanks already, Wayne & maison rustique for your response. Many years ago, I was on the Atkins diet. I liked it and it worked for me. I don't know the difference between the two diets. However, from what I've heard, they are similar. I only have the newest Atkins book.
mango man Aug-05-04 08:17 PM
I have been on South Beach since the begining of February and have lost 56 lbs.
My wife has lost 30
we lost the weight naturally no pills or dietary supplements just a change in our eating habitats
South beach was written by a cardiologist who was looking for a healthy diet for his heart patients weight loss was a by-product
having looked at both I felt south beach was a healthier way to go
Some of the recipes are complex but they are good eating it was developed in Miami and some of the local TV stations picked it up as a result it became the chic diet and a lot of the south beach restaurants created recipes for it
You can do south beach with simple recipes I got home late tonight and had a salad with ham and Swiss cheese nothing complex there
Once you get the basics down you can adapt most recipes to work.
he calls it a diet for peaple who like to eat there are no portion sizes he suggests you eat untill you are full you are encourged to snack
I truly see it as a change in eating habits rather than a "diet " that I will be getting off of in a few months there is nothing that I long to eat but am denying myself
mango man Aug-05-04 08:30 PM
heres a couple of websites for you
free south beach site
the offcial south beach site is 5.00 a week payable by the quarter so they charge your credit card 65.00 to start. you can cancel after a month I joined let it run through the quarter but really didnt think it was worth it.
if you fill out the weight profile on the linked site they will send you a daily email for free the daily email is usally pretty good I would recomend signing up for it
offical south beach site
platinum Aug-05-04 10:55 PM
I know nothing about South Beach but Atkins has enabled me to lose 25 lbs.
And I'm thrilled because I didn't really have to exercise to lose it.
Now I know how to eat for the rest of my life. I'm totally weaned of sugar, pastries, bread, pie, and cakey stuff, (a huge accomplishment) but I can still enjoy 1/2&1/2 in my cuppa, a bit o' butter on my veggies, and a chunk of a nice cheese for a snack.
It has taught me how to eat moderately and prepare fresh, tasty meals.
And my blood test results are A-OK. So far, so good.
Best of luck, whichever you choose. :)
mickey Aug-06-04 01:56 AM
I've been on Atkins for a while now and have lost about 20 lbs. I've heard about SB and I'm not much of a "Julia Child" in the kitchen - so I prefer Atkins and it's simple, no frills types of foods to eat versus SB and their fancy recipes I really don't want to bother with.
cin131 Aug-06-04 04:22 AM
I haven't been on either diet, but I've looked at both of them. I think South Beach is overall healthier. Atkins appears to allow higher fat content, which overall is not healthy for your heart. Many people, while being slim, can still have fat clogged arteries. From what I saw, South Beach specified more of the higher fiber, lower fat content, which is overall healthier. And no matter what diet you chose, exercise is essential for your overall physical well being. (yeah, I know, it sux)
mango man Aug-06-04 04:36 AM
Quote:
And no matter what diet you chose, exercise is essential for your overall physical well being. (yeah, I know, it sux)
a good point and very true but exercise dosnt "sux" anywhere near as much when you dont have 10 - 20-30 pounds of fat that your body is toting around
Sandy Aug-06-04 04:50 AM
I've done both - lost weight on both
Atkins is easier and I lost weight faster
SB took longer to figure out what to eat but you have a lot more choices. I don't do the fancy recipes basically just eat lower fat cuts of meat and good choices in fresh vegetables. South Beach has seemed more like a lifestyle that I can live with and most restaurants have choices that fit it well.
Whatever you choose good luck. :D :D
Teresa Aug-06-04 04:56 AM
I think that the difference between the two is that Atkins is basically NO carbs (to speak of), and he basically says you can eat all the fat and protien that you want. I remember it being a lot of cheese, bacon, meat, etc. The SB diet sounds a little healthier in that he not only limits (not restricts) carbs (allowing "good" carbs such as some friuts) and limiting fat and protien. It's not an eat all the cheese you want, kinda deal. (Can you tell I like cheese? :) ) My mom lost about 50 pounds on the Atkins diet years ago. I tried the SB diet for a short while and had great results. Unfortunatley, I had surgery in the middle of it and was "forced" to eat my husband's cooking, or stuff brought in by family.
My biggest problem with either is that almost everyday for lunch I boil some angel hair pasta and toss some tomatoes and Parm. cheese on it. How many carbs could THAT be. :eek:
sadie999 Aug-06-04 06:10 AM
Atkins restricts you to 20 gms of carbs during induction. After that, you increase your carbs until you find the amount that keeps you at a stable weight. If you want to lose more, you lower the carb grams. If you're at maintenance, you know how many carbs it takes to stay there.
While Atkins does allow lots of fat, you don't have to do it that way. Some people are finding better results by doing a lower fat Atkins.
I find it fairly easy to follow by remembering two rules:
-If it comes from an animal, it's mostly likely allowed and zero to low carb.
-If it comes from a plant and it's not green, it's most likely got more carbs than you think and you need to measure portions or avoid it.
There are some exceptions to both of those rules with (in my mind) cauliflower being a better choice (carb wise) than green beans being a delightful surprise since I love cauliflower and could live a lifetime w/out green beans. :) But basically, if you keep those two rules in mind, it's pretty simple to follow.
Here's a carb counter. They use 100 gm portions which is about 3-1/2 oz.
I've never tried the other eating plan.
Peace,
Sadie
likearock Aug-06-04 07:30 AM
I've been on Atkins for years and have never been better. My doctor approves.
People who do not read the Atkins book seem to believe that we eat all fats and no carbs at all. Totally untrue. Induction, the first two weeks, calls for 20 grams of carbs a day, those 20 should come from vegetables. The first two weeks are the hardest to get through because of withdrawal symptoms. He tells us to eat all the fat we want at that stage because it will fill us up and keep us from eating things we shouldn't and get us through induction. But anyone who is on this diet will tell you that you lose your urge to eat after a week or so. We do not crave food anymore. But Atkins tells us to eat 3 meals a day and small snacks in between, to keep our blood sugar levels stable. We don't gorge on fat, mainly because we are no longer hungry enough to want to. A meal consists of a meat, salad and veggie. What used to look like a childs meal now is too much to eat.
After the first two weeks you add more carbs, mostly of the vegetable variety. Fruit is not forbidden! He encourages you to gradually add them back into your diet, your own body will tell you if you shouldn't eat it.
I think the US is becoming addicted to junk, sugar especially. There are almost no products on your grocers shelves without sugar in them. People on diets think they are eating sugar free diets, they are not. Every freaking thing on the shelf contains some form of sugar, we have been addicted by the manufacturers. I was looking at the ingredients in spices last week, those Grill Mates type mixtures, and what do I see? Sugar! Hot dogs, sugar! Bacon, sugar! Why?
Atkins teaches us to check labels, read what you are buying, it makes you think, it makes you realize how we have become such a fat society, it's all in the ingredients. Don't pay attention to all those "low carb" products out there unless you read the label. I'm seeing "low carb" stuff with sugar in them, most actually have more carbs than the non-low-carb versions. Buying something with 22 grams instead of 24 grams is not considered low carb.
I love Atkins but I encourage people to use any low carb diet they can tolerate. Read the books! Compare for yourself. Read the books!
Teresa Aug-06-04 08:03 AM
I have read both books, a couple of times, as well as the Carbohydrates Addicts Diet book. (And checked out the web sites) I remember about the induction phase being very restricting. But I also remember that fruit was to be eaten in very limited amounts (sugar content probably), and I am a true fruit lover. (Of course, I like lots of pasta too. :banghead: ) My doctor said in spite of my high cholesterol the lo-carb lifestyle is beneficial, but I have never been able to stick with it too long because I just felt bad on it. Very weak, upset stomach, headaches, etc. (The doctor said it was the upset stomach most likely was a result of the high protien. Headaches withdrawal, and weakness just my body adjusting since carbs are energy (as well as sugar)) When I tried the South Beach Diet I felt much better. (It has an induction phase, but not as restrictive as Atkins) and certain fruits and even pasta's (whole grain wheat) were even encouraged.
The Carb Addict's diet is based on the premise that you eat NO carbs for two meals a day and the third meal is eat all you want, but eat it all in equal portions and within an hour. If you go back for seconds of one thing, you must eat the same amount of everything else. The book claims that it works as well, if not better because you are not cutting out any one food group. (I have not tried that one.)
If it's working stick with it. I honestly don't think every diet will work for every person. But if you continue to do your research, you'll find the one that works for you.
maison rustique Aug-06-04 11:21 AM
Mango man, your link to the unofficial SBD site led me to this site. It has lots of recipes! Just prepare yourself for the obnoxious music. :ignore:
likearock Aug-06-04 12:57 PM
A good book to read is The Secret To Low Carb Success , it shows all the low carbs diets with their pros and cons. It's probably the easiest way to compare the differences.
Crows Nest Aug-06-04 07:30 PM
I really appreciate everyone's reply (and vote) to this thread. The vote is "neck to neck". Thank you, mango man, for your links. And, thank you, maison rustique, for taking the links even further. And thanks likearock for your dedication to the Atkins Diet. And for all the other comments another big thanks! At this point, DH & I are divided. I think we can both lose our extra 15 pounds. However, I think I'll do better with Atkins; whereas, I think DH will fare better on South Beach. This is actually doable and won't take as much to accomplish as other diets. Keep the votes and comments coming, please?
maison rustique Aug-06-04 07:41 PM
You're welcome. But, I went even further into that other site and found other sites with even more info! If anyone is really interested in the SBD, I think you can do it without purchasing any books. Just keep clicking all the links to all the boards--many of them give away all the info/recipes without purchasing a thing!! Shhhhh!!!! :ignore:
Avocet Aug-06-04 07:51 PM
I haven't tried South Beach, but I did lose 50 lbs last year on Atkins, and have kept it off for a year now. My hubby has type II diabetes, so the low carb lifestyle is the way to go in our household.
The thing I like about Atkins is that you actually lose weight quickly, you aren't hungry, and you lose your cravings for junk food. From what I read about South Beach, you lose a little more slowly and because of the greater amount of options you have, you have more opportunities to cheat a little bit. I'm more of an instant gratification type of gal, so it's Atkins for me!
Crows Nest Aug-07-04 07:40 PM
Wow, maison rustique, I checked out that link. Mum's the word. :ignore:
The SB diet looks more complicated than Atkins. I can see why one would lose faster on Atkins. However, I respect those who choose SB over Atkins. Each person has their own requirements.
Thanks, Avocent, for your input. I admire your fortitude in keeping off your weight for a year now. You too, likearock.
Cassie Aug-07-04 07:55 PM
I don't diet. I'm not over weight but have poor body distribution. Big belly, but thin everywhere else. I think exercise would be the key. Not diet. Although, I do think that a proper diet is important. Anything food wise in moderation is ok in my opinion.
So I didn't vote.
shanne Aug-10-04 09:49 PM
My preference is for Atkins for several reasons.
The foremost reason is that Atkins is primarily a nutritional approach (rather than a mere 'diet') that teaches you how to regulate your carbohydrate intake so that you body can burn all the energy it consumes. You learn what level of carbohydrate intake you, (and it is different for every individual) can tolerate before your body starts making stores of fat.
Another main reason I prefer Atkins, however, is that it gets your body into lipolysis after the first two days of induction. The purpose of the two week induction period in Atkins is to get your metabolism to switch from burning glucose to burning fat. You can actually use test strips to determine if in fact, your body is burning fat rather than glucose.
Atkins also makes sure your carb choices are low on the glycemic index when you are in the weight loss phase of the program. I find that this really helped me to stabilize my blood sugar and overcome the low blood sugar blues and cravings. Some of the SB choices are very high on the glycemic index and I simply can't tolerate them.
While I believe you do lose weight on SB, and it is also a good diet, I think Atkins better addresses the problem of insulin intolerance. Insulin is a powerful hormone and it's effect on the body really needs to be understood if you intend to do Atkins properly. Dr. Atkins describes this in great detail in his book and makes it easy for lay people to understand - and to determine if this is perhaps a problem they are experiencing.
Atkins points out the your body gets its fuel from one of three sources: glucose, fat, or alcohol. When the glucose is not properly used it is turned into fat - bad fat. The sugar in high carb foods is what makes most of the fat deposits in your body. Your body will burn alcohol before it burns glucose or fat, which is why it is restricted in the induction phase. (And only in the induction phase.)
I find the SB diet to have choices that are high on they glycemic index (how rapidly your body converts the carbs to blood sugar.) The Atkins diet gradually re-introduces these choices once your metabalism has basically changed from getting its energy from fat, rather than glucose. It teaches you how to calculate your critical carbohydrate intake so that you neither gain nor loose weight once you have reached you proper body mass, as measured on the BMI scale provided in the book.
A very important distinction needs to be made about fats and cholesterol. Not all fats are bad fats. Good fats actual de-clog your arteries, lower your cholesterol, enable you to lose weight, and keep your appetite in check.
(An excellent book has been writted by Dr. Udo Erasmus called: Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill. He has done a lot of research on the body's utilization of fat, and like Atkins, he states clearly (and gives documented evidence to support his claims) why low fat diets are extremely unhealthy. If you are interested the link is http://www.udoerasmus.com There is a lot to read on this site - it takes some effort to really grasp the significance of it all. Dr. Erasmus makes very clear the distinction between healthy and unhealthy fats, and how to get the right balance to meet our body's needs.)
I think Atkins has the most balanced approach for people who are insulin intolerant. It pays to read his newest book, as everything is so well outlined there. I have never felt better in my life and I have been following Atkins 'Nutritional Approch' for over a year now. I was on the fast track to Type 2 Diabetes, had extremely high cholesterol and blood pressure, craved sweets, bread, pasta and junk food, and I can honestly and positively say that I am now completely free of all those problems. (Not to mention that I lost sixty pound in the process.)
I enjoy what I eat, know what to eat and when, and am basically as happy as a clam. Folowing Atkins has never been a problem - not even once. The weight just fell off at first and then slowed to about a pound a week once I got into the OWL phase of the program. It was never hard going...so I hope this helps. But do read the book - there is so much excellent information there...it really helps to understand the whole process so that you can make informed choices.
fonze Aug-10-04 11:15 PM
Hi.
I don't follow any diet, I just exercise and try not to overeat junk. Good luck. I think the South Beach sounds better. You might feel less deprived. Read Prevention Magazine if you want a healthier lifestyle. It has health, eating and exercise info.
Mel
mickey Aug-11-04 02:44 AM
Prevention Magazine is VERY biased towards the Atkins diet, and mostly promotes the South Beach Diet - why? Because they are published by the same company - Rodale.
I don't care much for Prevention magazine, since all their models look like something out of Stepford Wives. Skinny, dazed, smiling idiots. At least show "real" people! And any magazine that touts a "peanut butter" diet, is a complete joke...
JMHO
Boo_boo Aug-11-04 01:53 PM
I haven't checked out the other links in this thread, but here is a GREAT site for all kinds of low-carb info:
active low carber's forum
It's a huge forum - there are hundreds of members who have experience with all manner of low-carb diets and plans. You have to take your time looking around, there's a lot there.
There are boards for specific diet plans, for recipes, for teen-agers, for slow losers, you name it. I've been able to find answers to every low-carb question I've ever had. (and the recipe section is jam-packed with recipes for just about everything you can think of... from very simple to haute cuisine type eats!)
The search engine is especially helpful!
BTW, I'm an Atkins fan. Since the last week of April I've lost 36 pounds. Not too bad for an old chick! And eating a much higher fat diet has done just what Dr. Atkins predicted: my blood work looks better now than it ever has!
Yay for Dr. Atkins! I only wish he was here to see the changes in attitude to his theories.
ASS Firm Aug-11-04 03:59 PM
How to lose 30 pounds and keep it off
This is what you do (free advice):
1) Do not eat anything past 6 PM. You won't die out of starvation.
2) Why are carbs bad in every diet? Carbs that were available 100 years ago are good--potatoes, fruits, vegetables, rice. Carbs that were invented are terrible and should be avoided. -- Bread, Cereal, Oats, Wheat, .
Those bad carb products have the same effect as sugar on your brain--they make you feel full/satisfied for a little bit of time, but are actually empty of anything useful. But they are AWESOME for the McDonald's, Burger King, and even Subway, as you get to stuff people with VERY CHEAP bread and a tiny slice of meat. We have gotten very used to this because of the marketing. But if you think about it, what the hell are you eating? 90% bread and some lettuce and a 1/4 inch tall slice of grilled ham? Come on, don't eat that junk.
The reason BREADS ARE POPULAR are because of GOOD MARKETING. NOT because they are good for you. In fact, Bread and Cow Milk are similar in that they cause stomach problems, skin problems, and problems in young kids. YOU DON'T need the milk. YES you need Calcium and Vitamin D from Milk, but you don't NEED Milk specifically. OJ fortified with Calcium is what you should drink.
Quit breads and ALL MILK products for a week and see how much better you feel. For your carbs, eat potatoes and fruits and veggies. Eat those things and you will not have to go back to milk and empty carbs ever again.
As for meat (protein), you have to realize that the only reason we're alive right now is because of our ancestors killing Antelope and eating the meat. NO carbs, milk, or sugar, and they did okay! For safety, you should always drink a lot of water throughout the day, a glass every couple of hours EVEN if you're not thirsty. About 8 a day (not at the same time!) And fruits.
The reason you want to drink the water is to flush your kidneys and avoid kidney stones! VERY IMPORTANT when you're gonna eat more protein like a human being and not a sissy who eats non-real food like bread and milk.
Yes, milk and bread played an important role in society and still does. But they are empty and useless and both have very serious effects on young kids including crying, ear infections, and problems with skin and rashes and digestion.
Bread and sugar (fat) makes your brain feel happy, like a drug, that's why these foods were important over the recent centuries--they make you feel happy w/out protein b/c protein is EXPENSIVE and rare. So people eat a lot of bread to stop being hungry.
And of course, you will want to drink OJ fortified with Calcium and Vit D to get the missed calcium from milk. OJ w/ calcium is the #2 source of calcium and as good as milk.
And instead of using bread when you eat meat, drink up a tall glass of ice cold water. It will help the meat go down even better than bread.
Oh and carbs are processed very quickly and turned to fat very quickly if not used up. So if you're going to eat a pound of bread, why not eat a chocolate bar instead and get the same amount of fat? Why eat stupid bread?
ASS Firm Aug-11-04 04:06 PM
By the way
The Atkins 'diet' is the same as the advice that was given to bodybuilders for DOZENS OF YEARS--to eat a lot of protein and drink a lot of water. Which is what our ancestors did because they were bored all day--drink a lot of water and eat animals.
It's not even about carbs as much as it is about the useless food that has penetrated everyone's diet b/c of Kellogs, McDonalds, etc.
SAY NO to CEREAL, BAGELS, BREAD, POP TARTS and other MANUFACTURED goods.
SAY NO to MILK. Say no to sugar candy and simple sugar.
But..
Say YES to protein, eggs, meat and fruits and potatoes and rice, yogurt and limited amount of cheese. and WATER!!!!!
Say YES to cake and chocolate and pizza. Mmm baked goods, as long as you know they were baked and not manufactured. And eat that cake with water!
Don't eat after 6 PM.
This is how you lose 30 pounds and keep it off. It's also the most healthy diet for athletes so it's the same for nonathletes.
johnny Aug-11-04 04:06 PM
I'm still holding out hope that eating normally and exercising my ass off is the way. :D Into my 4th week and just today I started noticing some improvement. Also just turned the corner where working out feels good and not bad and I miss it the days I'm off.
johnny Aug-11-04 04:19 PM
Quote:
This is how you lose 30 pounds and keep it off.
With a name like that you gotta know! hehehe, it had to be said. :D :p ;)
ASS Firm Aug-11-04 04:19 PM
The Secret To Why We Are Fat
Dealing with JUNK FOOD:
Here is something I invented using LOGIC. Normally, you eat junk food and it spikes your sugar and makes your brain feel HAPPY, so the brain associates JUNK FOOD = HAPPY. Here instead is what I tried a couple of times that worked for me.
Now, we all know we should not try to make food go out the way it came because it hurts your esophogas on the way up since the stomach acid will be following it. That is a mental condition called bullemia. You do NOT want to throw your food up!
Here's what I tried only a couple of times and I believe it works. (The previous 2 posts were from research, this one is my own thing.)
***Basically, companies make your food have a good plumpness, stickiness, texture, softness, hardness, crunchiness, chewyness, tongue feel, and other things.*** They have formulas they follow to make their food just the right combination--no wonder junk food 'tastes' good even though it's a bunch of stupid fat crap!
THAT is why you have junk food cravings--to feel that specific food in your mouth, it's juices, it's texture. YOU DEFINITELY do NOT have cravings because your body wants to be fat. You don't eat a CRUNCH BAR or SNICKERS bar because you want to get fat, you eat it because you want that crunch and chewyness and chocolaty taste in your mouth.
So, I saw this guy on the discovery channel taste-test hundreds of ice creams a day from haggendaz--current batches and new designs He did not swallow any of them, which explains how he did NOT look fat after many years!!
He just put a spoonful in his mouth to feel it out, and spat it out into a tissue. His mouth got the feelings he needed to test it, without having to swallow it and commit to the fact that it would go to his body.
So that is the key--don't swallow junk food in the first place!. IF YOU REALLY have that urge to eat A BAG OF LAYS POTATO CHIPS, it's because you want to FEEL IT IN YOUR MOUTH. You DO want to chew it and everything, but if you swallow it, you will only feel guilty! Why? BECAUSE YOUR BODY *DOES NOT* want you to actually injest it!!!!!
So put out what you are chewing into a tissue at the moment you would normally be injesting it.
That's right, that's the secret: America is fat because companies make FOOD FEEL GOOD IN THE MOUTH. Natural things like Potatoes, Apples, Pears, Meat, do NOT feel as good in the mouth as a SNICKERS bar. Why? Because humans literally spend every day trying to make SNICKERS be perfect. So you eat SNICKERS not for the peanuts, not for the chocolate (maybe a bit for chocolate), but mostly to CHEW IT.
I'm not talking about SUGAR here--even if SNICKERS had almost NO sugar, it would still sell well because of the feeling of chewing it.
That's why America is fat! IF WE MADE APPLES and FRUITS and MEAT have perfect texture, crunchiness, cheek feel, etc, we would be eating them up!!!! (And companies did--they're called granolla bars and they make them nicely chewably and crunchy.)
ASS Firm Aug-11-04 05:13 PM
Part 4:
I just want to repeat this again because it must be said:
1) NEVER THROW UP food, if you misread what I was talking about.
2) DO drink a lot of water over the entire day.
maison rustique Aug-29-04 05:55 PM
Bumping this up. There was a request to have this thread moved to Tasty Tidbits. And thanks to Jim, here 'tis!! :)
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:59 PM.
To adjust your timezone, visit your MyOTWA Control Panel.
Forums powered by vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2007, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited.
Crows Nest Aug-05-04 07:37 PM
South Beach or Atkins?
I'm interested in knowing if you've been on either of these two diets. And, if so, which do you recommend and why?
Wayne Aug-05-04 07:43 PM
I've had great luck with Atkins. I looked at the South Beach diet but it looked too confusing and the dishes in the recipie section were way too complicated.
maison rustique Aug-05-04 07:43 PM
Watching this closely. I just bought the South Beach book, but as yet have tried neither. I picked South beach based on the comments in another thread here. And it seemed less stringent to me than what I've seen others go thru on Atkins.
Crows Nest Aug-05-04 07:49 PM
I need to state my reason for this poll. And, thanks already, Wayne & maison rustique for your response. Many years ago, I was on the Atkins diet. I liked it and it worked for me. I don't know the difference between the two diets. However, from what I've heard, they are similar. I only have the newest Atkins book.
mango man Aug-05-04 08:17 PM
I have been on South Beach since the begining of February and have lost 56 lbs.
My wife has lost 30
we lost the weight naturally no pills or dietary supplements just a change in our eating habitats
South beach was written by a cardiologist who was looking for a healthy diet for his heart patients weight loss was a by-product
having looked at both I felt south beach was a healthier way to go
Some of the recipes are complex but they are good eating it was developed in Miami and some of the local TV stations picked it up as a result it became the chic diet and a lot of the south beach restaurants created recipes for it
You can do south beach with simple recipes I got home late tonight and had a salad with ham and Swiss cheese nothing complex there
Once you get the basics down you can adapt most recipes to work.
he calls it a diet for peaple who like to eat there are no portion sizes he suggests you eat untill you are full you are encourged to snack
I truly see it as a change in eating habits rather than a "diet " that I will be getting off of in a few months there is nothing that I long to eat but am denying myself
mango man Aug-05-04 08:30 PM
heres a couple of websites for you
free south beach site
the offcial south beach site is 5.00 a week payable by the quarter so they charge your credit card 65.00 to start. you can cancel after a month I joined let it run through the quarter but really didnt think it was worth it.
if you fill out the weight profile on the linked site they will send you a daily email for free the daily email is usally pretty good I would recomend signing up for it
offical south beach site
platinum Aug-05-04 10:55 PM
I know nothing about South Beach but Atkins has enabled me to lose 25 lbs.
And I'm thrilled because I didn't really have to exercise to lose it.
Now I know how to eat for the rest of my life. I'm totally weaned of sugar, pastries, bread, pie, and cakey stuff, (a huge accomplishment) but I can still enjoy 1/2&1/2 in my cuppa, a bit o' butter on my veggies, and a chunk of a nice cheese for a snack.
It has taught me how to eat moderately and prepare fresh, tasty meals.
And my blood test results are A-OK. So far, so good.
Best of luck, whichever you choose. :)
mickey Aug-06-04 01:56 AM
I've been on Atkins for a while now and have lost about 20 lbs. I've heard about SB and I'm not much of a "Julia Child" in the kitchen - so I prefer Atkins and it's simple, no frills types of foods to eat versus SB and their fancy recipes I really don't want to bother with.
cin131 Aug-06-04 04:22 AM
I haven't been on either diet, but I've looked at both of them. I think South Beach is overall healthier. Atkins appears to allow higher fat content, which overall is not healthy for your heart. Many people, while being slim, can still have fat clogged arteries. From what I saw, South Beach specified more of the higher fiber, lower fat content, which is overall healthier. And no matter what diet you chose, exercise is essential for your overall physical well being. (yeah, I know, it sux)
mango man Aug-06-04 04:36 AM
Quote:
And no matter what diet you chose, exercise is essential for your overall physical well being. (yeah, I know, it sux)
a good point and very true but exercise dosnt "sux" anywhere near as much when you dont have 10 - 20-30 pounds of fat that your body is toting around
Sandy Aug-06-04 04:50 AM
I've done both - lost weight on both
Atkins is easier and I lost weight faster
SB took longer to figure out what to eat but you have a lot more choices. I don't do the fancy recipes basically just eat lower fat cuts of meat and good choices in fresh vegetables. South Beach has seemed more like a lifestyle that I can live with and most restaurants have choices that fit it well.
Whatever you choose good luck. :D :D
Teresa Aug-06-04 04:56 AM
I think that the difference between the two is that Atkins is basically NO carbs (to speak of), and he basically says you can eat all the fat and protien that you want. I remember it being a lot of cheese, bacon, meat, etc. The SB diet sounds a little healthier in that he not only limits (not restricts) carbs (allowing "good" carbs such as some friuts) and limiting fat and protien. It's not an eat all the cheese you want, kinda deal. (Can you tell I like cheese? :) ) My mom lost about 50 pounds on the Atkins diet years ago. I tried the SB diet for a short while and had great results. Unfortunatley, I had surgery in the middle of it and was "forced" to eat my husband's cooking, or stuff brought in by family.
My biggest problem with either is that almost everyday for lunch I boil some angel hair pasta and toss some tomatoes and Parm. cheese on it. How many carbs could THAT be. :eek:
sadie999 Aug-06-04 06:10 AM
Atkins restricts you to 20 gms of carbs during induction. After that, you increase your carbs until you find the amount that keeps you at a stable weight. If you want to lose more, you lower the carb grams. If you're at maintenance, you know how many carbs it takes to stay there.
While Atkins does allow lots of fat, you don't have to do it that way. Some people are finding better results by doing a lower fat Atkins.
I find it fairly easy to follow by remembering two rules:
-If it comes from an animal, it's mostly likely allowed and zero to low carb.
-If it comes from a plant and it's not green, it's most likely got more carbs than you think and you need to measure portions or avoid it.
There are some exceptions to both of those rules with (in my mind) cauliflower being a better choice (carb wise) than green beans being a delightful surprise since I love cauliflower and could live a lifetime w/out green beans. :) But basically, if you keep those two rules in mind, it's pretty simple to follow.
Here's a carb counter. They use 100 gm portions which is about 3-1/2 oz.
I've never tried the other eating plan.
Peace,
Sadie
likearock Aug-06-04 07:30 AM
I've been on Atkins for years and have never been better. My doctor approves.
People who do not read the Atkins book seem to believe that we eat all fats and no carbs at all. Totally untrue. Induction, the first two weeks, calls for 20 grams of carbs a day, those 20 should come from vegetables. The first two weeks are the hardest to get through because of withdrawal symptoms. He tells us to eat all the fat we want at that stage because it will fill us up and keep us from eating things we shouldn't and get us through induction. But anyone who is on this diet will tell you that you lose your urge to eat after a week or so. We do not crave food anymore. But Atkins tells us to eat 3 meals a day and small snacks in between, to keep our blood sugar levels stable. We don't gorge on fat, mainly because we are no longer hungry enough to want to. A meal consists of a meat, salad and veggie. What used to look like a childs meal now is too much to eat.
After the first two weeks you add more carbs, mostly of the vegetable variety. Fruit is not forbidden! He encourages you to gradually add them back into your diet, your own body will tell you if you shouldn't eat it.
I think the US is becoming addicted to junk, sugar especially. There are almost no products on your grocers shelves without sugar in them. People on diets think they are eating sugar free diets, they are not. Every freaking thing on the shelf contains some form of sugar, we have been addicted by the manufacturers. I was looking at the ingredients in spices last week, those Grill Mates type mixtures, and what do I see? Sugar! Hot dogs, sugar! Bacon, sugar! Why?
Atkins teaches us to check labels, read what you are buying, it makes you think, it makes you realize how we have become such a fat society, it's all in the ingredients. Don't pay attention to all those "low carb" products out there unless you read the label. I'm seeing "low carb" stuff with sugar in them, most actually have more carbs than the non-low-carb versions. Buying something with 22 grams instead of 24 grams is not considered low carb.
I love Atkins but I encourage people to use any low carb diet they can tolerate. Read the books! Compare for yourself. Read the books!
Teresa Aug-06-04 08:03 AM
I have read both books, a couple of times, as well as the Carbohydrates Addicts Diet book. (And checked out the web sites) I remember about the induction phase being very restricting. But I also remember that fruit was to be eaten in very limited amounts (sugar content probably), and I am a true fruit lover. (Of course, I like lots of pasta too. :banghead: ) My doctor said in spite of my high cholesterol the lo-carb lifestyle is beneficial, but I have never been able to stick with it too long because I just felt bad on it. Very weak, upset stomach, headaches, etc. (The doctor said it was the upset stomach most likely was a result of the high protien. Headaches withdrawal, and weakness just my body adjusting since carbs are energy (as well as sugar)) When I tried the South Beach Diet I felt much better. (It has an induction phase, but not as restrictive as Atkins) and certain fruits and even pasta's (whole grain wheat) were even encouraged.
The Carb Addict's diet is based on the premise that you eat NO carbs for two meals a day and the third meal is eat all you want, but eat it all in equal portions and within an hour. If you go back for seconds of one thing, you must eat the same amount of everything else. The book claims that it works as well, if not better because you are not cutting out any one food group. (I have not tried that one.)
If it's working stick with it. I honestly don't think every diet will work for every person. But if you continue to do your research, you'll find the one that works for you.
maison rustique Aug-06-04 11:21 AM
Mango man, your link to the unofficial SBD site led me to this site. It has lots of recipes! Just prepare yourself for the obnoxious music. :ignore:
likearock Aug-06-04 12:57 PM
A good book to read is The Secret To Low Carb Success , it shows all the low carbs diets with their pros and cons. It's probably the easiest way to compare the differences.
Crows Nest Aug-06-04 07:30 PM
I really appreciate everyone's reply (and vote) to this thread. The vote is "neck to neck". Thank you, mango man, for your links. And, thank you, maison rustique, for taking the links even further. And thanks likearock for your dedication to the Atkins Diet. And for all the other comments another big thanks! At this point, DH & I are divided. I think we can both lose our extra 15 pounds. However, I think I'll do better with Atkins; whereas, I think DH will fare better on South Beach. This is actually doable and won't take as much to accomplish as other diets. Keep the votes and comments coming, please?
maison rustique Aug-06-04 07:41 PM
You're welcome. But, I went even further into that other site and found other sites with even more info! If anyone is really interested in the SBD, I think you can do it without purchasing any books. Just keep clicking all the links to all the boards--many of them give away all the info/recipes without purchasing a thing!! Shhhhh!!!! :ignore:
Avocet Aug-06-04 07:51 PM
I haven't tried South Beach, but I did lose 50 lbs last year on Atkins, and have kept it off for a year now. My hubby has type II diabetes, so the low carb lifestyle is the way to go in our household.
The thing I like about Atkins is that you actually lose weight quickly, you aren't hungry, and you lose your cravings for junk food. From what I read about South Beach, you lose a little more slowly and because of the greater amount of options you have, you have more opportunities to cheat a little bit. I'm more of an instant gratification type of gal, so it's Atkins for me!
Crows Nest Aug-07-04 07:40 PM
Wow, maison rustique, I checked out that link. Mum's the word. :ignore:
The SB diet looks more complicated than Atkins. I can see why one would lose faster on Atkins. However, I respect those who choose SB over Atkins. Each person has their own requirements.
Thanks, Avocent, for your input. I admire your fortitude in keeping off your weight for a year now. You too, likearock.
Cassie Aug-07-04 07:55 PM
I don't diet. I'm not over weight but have poor body distribution. Big belly, but thin everywhere else. I think exercise would be the key. Not diet. Although, I do think that a proper diet is important. Anything food wise in moderation is ok in my opinion.
So I didn't vote.
shanne Aug-10-04 09:49 PM
My preference is for Atkins for several reasons.
The foremost reason is that Atkins is primarily a nutritional approach (rather than a mere 'diet') that teaches you how to regulate your carbohydrate intake so that you body can burn all the energy it consumes. You learn what level of carbohydrate intake you, (and it is different for every individual) can tolerate before your body starts making stores of fat.
Another main reason I prefer Atkins, however, is that it gets your body into lipolysis after the first two days of induction. The purpose of the two week induction period in Atkins is to get your metabolism to switch from burning glucose to burning fat. You can actually use test strips to determine if in fact, your body is burning fat rather than glucose.
Atkins also makes sure your carb choices are low on the glycemic index when you are in the weight loss phase of the program. I find that this really helped me to stabilize my blood sugar and overcome the low blood sugar blues and cravings. Some of the SB choices are very high on the glycemic index and I simply can't tolerate them.
While I believe you do lose weight on SB, and it is also a good diet, I think Atkins better addresses the problem of insulin intolerance. Insulin is a powerful hormone and it's effect on the body really needs to be understood if you intend to do Atkins properly. Dr. Atkins describes this in great detail in his book and makes it easy for lay people to understand - and to determine if this is perhaps a problem they are experiencing.
Atkins points out the your body gets its fuel from one of three sources: glucose, fat, or alcohol. When the glucose is not properly used it is turned into fat - bad fat. The sugar in high carb foods is what makes most of the fat deposits in your body. Your body will burn alcohol before it burns glucose or fat, which is why it is restricted in the induction phase. (And only in the induction phase.)
I find the SB diet to have choices that are high on they glycemic index (how rapidly your body converts the carbs to blood sugar.) The Atkins diet gradually re-introduces these choices once your metabalism has basically changed from getting its energy from fat, rather than glucose. It teaches you how to calculate your critical carbohydrate intake so that you neither gain nor loose weight once you have reached you proper body mass, as measured on the BMI scale provided in the book.
A very important distinction needs to be made about fats and cholesterol. Not all fats are bad fats. Good fats actual de-clog your arteries, lower your cholesterol, enable you to lose weight, and keep your appetite in check.
(An excellent book has been writted by Dr. Udo Erasmus called: Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill. He has done a lot of research on the body's utilization of fat, and like Atkins, he states clearly (and gives documented evidence to support his claims) why low fat diets are extremely unhealthy. If you are interested the link is http://www.udoerasmus.com There is a lot to read on this site - it takes some effort to really grasp the significance of it all. Dr. Erasmus makes very clear the distinction between healthy and unhealthy fats, and how to get the right balance to meet our body's needs.)
I think Atkins has the most balanced approach for people who are insulin intolerant. It pays to read his newest book, as everything is so well outlined there. I have never felt better in my life and I have been following Atkins 'Nutritional Approch' for over a year now. I was on the fast track to Type 2 Diabetes, had extremely high cholesterol and blood pressure, craved sweets, bread, pasta and junk food, and I can honestly and positively say that I am now completely free of all those problems. (Not to mention that I lost sixty pound in the process.)
I enjoy what I eat, know what to eat and when, and am basically as happy as a clam. Folowing Atkins has never been a problem - not even once. The weight just fell off at first and then slowed to about a pound a week once I got into the OWL phase of the program. It was never hard going...so I hope this helps. But do read the book - there is so much excellent information there...it really helps to understand the whole process so that you can make informed choices.
fonze Aug-10-04 11:15 PM
Hi.
I don't follow any diet, I just exercise and try not to overeat junk. Good luck. I think the South Beach sounds better. You might feel less deprived. Read Prevention Magazine if you want a healthier lifestyle. It has health, eating and exercise info.
Mel
mickey Aug-11-04 02:44 AM
Prevention Magazine is VERY biased towards the Atkins diet, and mostly promotes the South Beach Diet - why? Because they are published by the same company - Rodale.
I don't care much for Prevention magazine, since all their models look like something out of Stepford Wives. Skinny, dazed, smiling idiots. At least show "real" people! And any magazine that touts a "peanut butter" diet, is a complete joke...
JMHO
Boo_boo Aug-11-04 01:53 PM
I haven't checked out the other links in this thread, but here is a GREAT site for all kinds of low-carb info:
active low carber's forum
It's a huge forum - there are hundreds of members who have experience with all manner of low-carb diets and plans. You have to take your time looking around, there's a lot there.
There are boards for specific diet plans, for recipes, for teen-agers, for slow losers, you name it. I've been able to find answers to every low-carb question I've ever had. (and the recipe section is jam-packed with recipes for just about everything you can think of... from very simple to haute cuisine type eats!)
The search engine is especially helpful!
BTW, I'm an Atkins fan. Since the last week of April I've lost 36 pounds. Not too bad for an old chick! And eating a much higher fat diet has done just what Dr. Atkins predicted: my blood work looks better now than it ever has!
Yay for Dr. Atkins! I only wish he was here to see the changes in attitude to his theories.
ASS Firm Aug-11-04 03:59 PM
How to lose 30 pounds and keep it off
This is what you do (free advice):
1) Do not eat anything past 6 PM. You won't die out of starvation.
2) Why are carbs bad in every diet? Carbs that were available 100 years ago are good--potatoes, fruits, vegetables, rice. Carbs that were invented are terrible and should be avoided. -- Bread, Cereal, Oats, Wheat, .
Those bad carb products have the same effect as sugar on your brain--they make you feel full/satisfied for a little bit of time, but are actually empty of anything useful. But they are AWESOME for the McDonald's, Burger King, and even Subway, as you get to stuff people with VERY CHEAP bread and a tiny slice of meat. We have gotten very used to this because of the marketing. But if you think about it, what the hell are you eating? 90% bread and some lettuce and a 1/4 inch tall slice of grilled ham? Come on, don't eat that junk.
The reason BREADS ARE POPULAR are because of GOOD MARKETING. NOT because they are good for you. In fact, Bread and Cow Milk are similar in that they cause stomach problems, skin problems, and problems in young kids. YOU DON'T need the milk. YES you need Calcium and Vitamin D from Milk, but you don't NEED Milk specifically. OJ fortified with Calcium is what you should drink.
Quit breads and ALL MILK products for a week and see how much better you feel. For your carbs, eat potatoes and fruits and veggies. Eat those things and you will not have to go back to milk and empty carbs ever again.
As for meat (protein), you have to realize that the only reason we're alive right now is because of our ancestors killing Antelope and eating the meat. NO carbs, milk, or sugar, and they did okay! For safety, you should always drink a lot of water throughout the day, a glass every couple of hours EVEN if you're not thirsty. About 8 a day (not at the same time!) And fruits.
The reason you want to drink the water is to flush your kidneys and avoid kidney stones! VERY IMPORTANT when you're gonna eat more protein like a human being and not a sissy who eats non-real food like bread and milk.
Yes, milk and bread played an important role in society and still does. But they are empty and useless and both have very serious effects on young kids including crying, ear infections, and problems with skin and rashes and digestion.
Bread and sugar (fat) makes your brain feel happy, like a drug, that's why these foods were important over the recent centuries--they make you feel happy w/out protein b/c protein is EXPENSIVE and rare. So people eat a lot of bread to stop being hungry.
And of course, you will want to drink OJ fortified with Calcium and Vit D to get the missed calcium from milk. OJ w/ calcium is the #2 source of calcium and as good as milk.
And instead of using bread when you eat meat, drink up a tall glass of ice cold water. It will help the meat go down even better than bread.
Oh and carbs are processed very quickly and turned to fat very quickly if not used up. So if you're going to eat a pound of bread, why not eat a chocolate bar instead and get the same amount of fat? Why eat stupid bread?
ASS Firm Aug-11-04 04:06 PM
By the way
The Atkins 'diet' is the same as the advice that was given to bodybuilders for DOZENS OF YEARS--to eat a lot of protein and drink a lot of water. Which is what our ancestors did because they were bored all day--drink a lot of water and eat animals.
It's not even about carbs as much as it is about the useless food that has penetrated everyone's diet b/c of Kellogs, McDonalds, etc.
SAY NO to CEREAL, BAGELS, BREAD, POP TARTS and other MANUFACTURED goods.
SAY NO to MILK. Say no to sugar candy and simple sugar.
But..
Say YES to protein, eggs, meat and fruits and potatoes and rice, yogurt and limited amount of cheese. and WATER!!!!!
Say YES to cake and chocolate and pizza. Mmm baked goods, as long as you know they were baked and not manufactured. And eat that cake with water!
Don't eat after 6 PM.
This is how you lose 30 pounds and keep it off. It's also the most healthy diet for athletes so it's the same for nonathletes.
johnny Aug-11-04 04:06 PM
I'm still holding out hope that eating normally and exercising my ass off is the way. :D Into my 4th week and just today I started noticing some improvement. Also just turned the corner where working out feels good and not bad and I miss it the days I'm off.
johnny Aug-11-04 04:19 PM
Quote:
This is how you lose 30 pounds and keep it off.
With a name like that you gotta know! hehehe, it had to be said. :D :p ;)
ASS Firm Aug-11-04 04:19 PM
The Secret To Why We Are Fat
Dealing with JUNK FOOD:
Here is something I invented using LOGIC. Normally, you eat junk food and it spikes your sugar and makes your brain feel HAPPY, so the brain associates JUNK FOOD = HAPPY. Here instead is what I tried a couple of times that worked for me.
Now, we all know we should not try to make food go out the way it came because it hurts your esophogas on the way up since the stomach acid will be following it. That is a mental condition called bullemia. You do NOT want to throw your food up!
Here's what I tried only a couple of times and I believe it works. (The previous 2 posts were from research, this one is my own thing.)
***Basically, companies make your food have a good plumpness, stickiness, texture, softness, hardness, crunchiness, chewyness, tongue feel, and other things.*** They have formulas they follow to make their food just the right combination--no wonder junk food 'tastes' good even though it's a bunch of stupid fat crap!
THAT is why you have junk food cravings--to feel that specific food in your mouth, it's juices, it's texture. YOU DEFINITELY do NOT have cravings because your body wants to be fat. You don't eat a CRUNCH BAR or SNICKERS bar because you want to get fat, you eat it because you want that crunch and chewyness and chocolaty taste in your mouth.
So, I saw this guy on the discovery channel taste-test hundreds of ice creams a day from haggendaz--current batches and new designs He did not swallow any of them, which explains how he did NOT look fat after many years!!
He just put a spoonful in his mouth to feel it out, and spat it out into a tissue. His mouth got the feelings he needed to test it, without having to swallow it and commit to the fact that it would go to his body.
So that is the key--don't swallow junk food in the first place!. IF YOU REALLY have that urge to eat A BAG OF LAYS POTATO CHIPS, it's because you want to FEEL IT IN YOUR MOUTH. You DO want to chew it and everything, but if you swallow it, you will only feel guilty! Why? BECAUSE YOUR BODY *DOES NOT* want you to actually injest it!!!!!
So put out what you are chewing into a tissue at the moment you would normally be injesting it.
That's right, that's the secret: America is fat because companies make FOOD FEEL GOOD IN THE MOUTH. Natural things like Potatoes, Apples, Pears, Meat, do NOT feel as good in the mouth as a SNICKERS bar. Why? Because humans literally spend every day trying to make SNICKERS be perfect. So you eat SNICKERS not for the peanuts, not for the chocolate (maybe a bit for chocolate), but mostly to CHEW IT.
I'm not talking about SUGAR here--even if SNICKERS had almost NO sugar, it would still sell well because of the feeling of chewing it.
That's why America is fat! IF WE MADE APPLES and FRUITS and MEAT have perfect texture, crunchiness, cheek feel, etc, we would be eating them up!!!! (And companies did--they're called granolla bars and they make them nicely chewably and crunchy.)
ASS Firm Aug-11-04 05:13 PM
Part 4:
I just want to repeat this again because it must be said:
1) NEVER THROW UP food, if you misread what I was talking about.
2) DO drink a lot of water over the entire day.
maison rustique Aug-29-04 05:55 PM
Bumping this up. There was a request to have this thread moved to Tasty Tidbits. And thanks to Jim, here 'tis!! :)
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:59 PM.
To adjust your timezone, visit your MyOTWA Control Panel.
Forums powered by vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2007, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited.