Is the South Beach Diet a good idea?
Melissaol
Posts: 948 Member
A friend of mine is on the south beach diet, and lost 14lbs in the first 2 weeks. I was wondering if this is a safe diet..
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Replies
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In my opinion, it is a safe and healthy diet. It relies primarily on "whole" foods that are naturally filling.
Just don't rely on the SBD-brand pre-packaged/frozen foods.0 -
I think SB is one of the healthiest eating plans available. The food plan is designed to keep your blood sugar levels even throughout the day which helps prevent sweet cravings and hunger. It works for me. A lot of people lose a lot the first two weeks on phase one if they have been eating poorly prior to following it. The first time I did SB I lost 11 on phase one, then it slowed down.
ETA: I believe SB is a great plan for a lifelong lifestyle.0 -
In my opinion if it has the word "diet" in it... it isn't good.
Stick to your cal deficit and watch what you eat. It's a lifestyle change, not a diet to drop a few (and gain back!)0 -
Phase 1 is two weeks of very strict eating and results in weight loss from mostly water loss, and a few of those pounds will come back as you transition into phase 2.
Personally, I like South Beach and lost 30lbs on it a few years ago. I cooked all of my own food, and I learned to have a healthier relationship with food such as vegetables I'd never tried before, whole grains like quinoa and brown rice, and lean meats. It's very anti-sugar and refined whites, which isn't a bad thing to avoid anyway.0 -
South Beach might have the word diet in it, but it's about teaching you a new way of eating that you're to keep with you the rest of your life. The side effect is weight loss. I'd suggest reading up on it a little.0
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In my opinion if it has the word "diet" in it... it isn't good.
Stick to your cal deficit and watch what you eat. It's a lifestyle change, not a diet to drop a few (and gain back!)0 -
South Beach might have the word diet in it, but it's about teaching you a new way of eating that you're to keep with you the rest of your life. The side effect is weight loss. I'd suggest reading up on it a little.
Several years ago they changed their products and I think some of the books to read "South Beach Living". Really doesn't matter what you call it, it's a healthy lifestyle. Phase 3 is for life and is very liberal.0 -
I don't care for the phases. But the overall idea is fine.0
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I think SB is a very good and reasonable way of eating.0
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Everyone I've known that has tried it couldn't sustain it. Several of them lost significant amounts of weight. Everyone of them gained it back plus some.
I've never done it. I don't like diets that tell you to eat certain things or don't allow you to eat certain things. I'm more of the mindset all things in moderation while making healthier choices.
Edit: for someone with a lot to lose 14lbs in the first 2 weeks is common when they enter any type of restrictive calorie change. Whether or not they keep it off depends on what they are doing and if they keep doing it.0 -
Processed foods have little nutritional value, and "diets" is not a good idea. Changing your eating habits and your activities habits are what you should be doing. Eat mostly fresh fruits and vegatables (fresh being the key word). Also eat lean meats and whole grain productions (not multigrain or "made with" whole grain products). Read, read, read about nutriention.
Remember, if you can't pick it, pluck it, milk it, or shoot it, don't eat it! And you can't do any of those with a microwave dinner. :-)
Good luck.0 -
Everyone I've known that has tried it couldn't sustain it. Several of them lost significant amounts of weight. Everyone of them gained it back plus some.
I've never done it. I don't like diets that tell you to eat certain things or don't allow you to eat certain things. I'm more of the mindset all things in moderation while making healthier choices.
Edit: for someone with a lot to lose 14lbs in the first 2 weeks is common when they enter any type of restrictive calorie change. Whether or not they keep it off depends on what they are doing and if they keep doing it.
My boss did it. He lost about 40LBS about 12 years ago and has kept off about 30LBS by keeping phase three "in mind" while he cooks and orders.0 -
Processed foods have little nutritional value, and "diets" is not a good idea. Changing your eating habits and your activities habits are what you should be doing. Eat mostly fresh fruits and vegatables (fresh being the key word). Also eat lean meats and whole grain productions (not multigrain or "made with" whole grain products). Read, read, read about nutriention.
Remember, if you can't pick it, pluck it, milk it, or shoot it, don't eat it! And you can't do any of those with a microwave dinner. :-)
Good luck.0 -
I am trying it. Today is day 1 of Phase 1 for me. I'm a total carb & sugar addict & I'm now insulin resistant as a result of many years of eating too much refined sugar & not enough protein. I also have a lot of weight to lose but I'm determined to change the way I eat.0
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I'd say no because it's a 'diet'. You don't want a diet. You want to change your life style. So unless you want to keep doing that diet all your life, it's not a good idea. If you're willing to stick to it forever, sure, I'm just not sure how many people have the willpower for that. And what will happen when you start eating the forbidden stuff again?0
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No0
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I'd say no because it's a 'diet'. You don't want a diet. You want to change your life style. So unless you want to keep doing that diet all your life, it's not a good idea. If you're willing to stick to it forever, sure, I'm just not sure how many people have the willpower for that. And what will happen when you start eating the forbidden stuff again?
PS: I just reviewed your posts. Guess what: Like most folks here, you're on a diet.0 -
I am trying it. Today is day 1 of Phase 1 for me. I'm a total carb & sugar addict & I'm now insulin resistant as a result of many years of eating too much refined sugar & not enough protein. I also have a lot of weight to lose but I'm determined to change the way I eat.0
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I'd say no because it's a 'diet'. You don't want a diet. You want to change your life style. So unless you want to keep doing that diet all your life, it's not a good idea. If you're willing to stick to it forever, sure, I'm just not sure how many people have the willpower for that. And what will happen when you start eating the forbidden stuff again?
PS: I just reviewed your posts. Guess what: Like most folks here, you're on a diet.
Does south beach allow for cookies, chocolate, full fat cheese, beef? There's 'diet' and 'diet'. If it's just to follow a general guideline, sure. I've just had bad experiences with diets that really restrict what you can eat.0 -
I'd say no because it's a 'diet'. You don't want a diet. You want to change your life style. So unless you want to keep doing that diet all your life, it's not a good idea. If you're willing to stick to it forever, sure, I'm just not sure how many people have the willpower for that. And what will happen when you start eating the forbidden stuff again?
PS: I just reviewed your posts. Guess what: Like most folks here, you're on a diet.
Does south beach allow for cookies, chocolate, full fat cheese, beef? There's 'diet' and 'diet'. If it's just to follow a general guideline, sure. I've just had bad experiences with diets that really restrict what you can eat.
It's all still a diet. And yes, the south beach phase three is just healthy eating. (with desserts, and cookies if you want them)
And time will tell if what you're doing now works in the long run. ALL of us are good at losing weight. Some of us will be good at keeping it off. The woman you replied to specifically said she wants to change the weigh she eats for the long haul. Perhaps this will be what works for her. Perhaps calorie counting will be what works for you. The diet that works for you.0
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