Is the South Beach Diet a good idea?

Melissaol

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..

angeldaae

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.

issyfit

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.

mzjessicaxo

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!)

JenSD6

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.

JenSD6

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.

chatogal

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!)

anything you eat is your "diet" whether its general diet, reducing diet, gaining diet, crohns diet, diabetic diet etc etc etc

issyfit

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.

MorgueBabe

I don't care for the phases. But the overall idea is fine.

Sabine_Stroehm

I think SB is a very good and reasonable way of eating.

T1mH

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.

julschneider

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.

Sabine_Stroehm

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.

I've never done it either, but incorporated a lot of the principles when I lost weight (and kept it off) 12 years ago. I still refer to phase 3 from time to time.

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.

Sabine_Stroehm

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.

SOunds like that would fit nicely with south beach.

kittyx2

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.

Francl27

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?

Cr01502

No

Sabine_Stroehm

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?

And that's the point. you DO follow south beach phase three for the rest of your life. And what that basically means is: whole grains, lean meats, vegetables, fresh fruits.... AKA: food.

PS: I just reviewed your posts. Guess what: Like most folks here, you're on a diet.

Sabine_Stroehm

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.

OP: while south beach isn't "low carb" consider joining the low carb forum. Slow carbers (like those following south beach) are welcome and supported there.

Francl27

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?

And that's the point. you DO follow south beach phase three for the rest of your life. And what that basically means is: whole grains, lean meats, vegetables, fresh fruits.... AKA: food.

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.

Sabine_Stroehm

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?

And that's the point. you DO follow south beach phase three for the rest of your life. And what that basically means is: whole grains, lean meats, vegetables, fresh fruits.... AKA: food.

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.

Of course it does. It suggests that you eat dark chocolate, because it's better for you. And recommends lower fat cheeses and cuts of meat. Whole wheat and fruit juice sweetened cookiesThat's a diet. So is: eating shakeology products rather than the cookies you really want to eat. So is counting your chocolate eggs and saying you had a "few" gummy bears "a while back". So is low fat substitutions to tweak recipes...Basically just swap lowed fat for slower carbs and you've got the same deal. My point: it's all a diet. The difference is, something like south beach gives you specific recommendations about foods. It doesn't give you recommended calories. In fact, you don't count calories at all on south beach. MFP etc give you specific calories and the often ignored macros. Some folks do well with calorie counting DIETS, and some folks would like to be told: eating whole grain breads is better than white breads.

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.

Keane2baMsed

The only 'diet' that is good for you is a healthy balanced one.

Plenty of fruit and veg, protein and carbs and minimal saturated fat and sugar and lots of water and you cant go far wrong.

14 lbs in 2 weeks sounds great on paper but it is primarily a quick fix and not sustainable. People that lose lots of weight on these diets tend to put it all back on and then some once they eat 'normally' again.

Eat a healthy balanced diet and get some exercise that's all you need to do

crawford4398

Just Wanted to ADD, I Love the SBD, A few years back i was training for boxing and really needed to beef up i lost 20 lbs and 2 % body fat in 30 days, the body toning was Amazing !! Good news is i haven`t gained any of that back and have some pretty Great definition still.

Sabine_Stroehm

The only 'diet' that is good for you is a healthy balanced one.

Plenty of fruit and veg, protein and carbs and minimal saturated fat and sugar and lots of water and you cant go far wrong.

14 lbs in 2 weeks sounds great on paper but it is primarily a quick fix and not sustainable. People that lose lots of weight on these diets tend to put it all back on and then some once they eat 'normally' again.

Eat a healthy balanced diet and get some exercise that's all you need to do

Do you know anything about the south beach diet? You just described it when you said "Plenty of fruit and veg, protein and carbs and minimal saturated fat and sugar and lots of water and you cant go far wrong."
In fact with the exception of the hot cross bun you ate, it's pretty much what you ate yesterday, except without restricting you to 1280 calories.

And as we know MOST folks who lose "lots of weight" on any weight loss regimen tend to gain it back. Even good ole calorie counting.

Sabine_Stroehm

Just Wanted to ADD, I Love the SBD, A few years back i was training for boxing and really needed to beef up i lost 20 lbs and 2 % body fat in 30 days, the body toning was Amazing !! Good news is i haven`t gained any of that back and have some pretty Great definition still.

Fabulous!

raeless2011

A few years back, I went on the SBD. I really liked it, but unfortunately fell back into old habits. I currently just use MFP and keep under my carb and calorie allotment. I still prepare some of the foods that SBD had in the book. It is a low glycemic diet.

raeless2011

You will probably lose a fair amount in the first week.

kittyx2

I'm thinking that SBD is too carb restrictive for me after trying it for a few days. I have felt sick on it the entire time. I have dropped 5 lbs (pretty much fluid) in trying it, but I've been so sick, weak & had a migraine since Saturday that this morning I had some carbohydrates with breakfast.

I'm going to try & maybe just modify my eating so that I'm eating only healthy carbs & always with a protein when I eat them. I have to have enough energy to exercise.

Sabine_Stroehm

I'm thinking that SBD is too carb restrictive for me after trying it for a few days. I have felt sick on it the entire time. I have dropped 5 lbs (pretty much fluid) in trying it, but I've been so sick, weak & had a migraine since Saturday that this morning I had some carbohydrates with breakfast.

I'm going to try & maybe just modify my eating so that I'm eating only healthy carbs & always with a protein when I eat them. I have to have enough energy to exercise.

too carb restrictive? How so? It's not a low carb diet! What information are you following?

concordancia

I'm thinking that SBD is too carb restrictive for me after trying it for a few days. I have felt sick on it the entire time. I have dropped 5 lbs (pretty much fluid) in trying it, but I've been so sick, weak & had a migraine since Saturday that this morning I had some carbohydrates with breakfast.

I'm going to try & maybe just modify my eating so that I'm eating only healthy carbs & always with a protein when I eat them. I have to have enough energy to exercise.

too carb restrictive? How so? It's not a low carb diet! What information are you following?

The first phase is definitely restrictive, but it is not necessary for following the general principles. As long as you had whole grains with your breakfast, you are still well within the scope.

Sabine_Stroehm

I'm thinking that SBD is too carb restrictive for me after trying it for a few days. I have felt sick on it the entire time. I have dropped 5 lbs (pretty much fluid) in trying it, but I've been so sick, weak & had a migraine since Saturday that this morning I had some carbohydrates with breakfast.

I'm going to try & maybe just modify my eating so that I'm eating only healthy carbs & always with a protein when I eat them. I have to have enough energy to exercise.

too carb restrictive? How so? It's not a low carb diet! What information are you following?

The first phase is definitely restrictive, but it is not necessary for following the general principles. As long as you had whole grains with your breakfast, you are still well within the scope.

Beans,
vegetables
etc.... not enough to feel sick on.
it's not like it's atkins.
You don't even count good vegetables!
OP: if you're sick, just move on to phase 2 (if this is something you want to pursue. the more restrictive phase one is optional.