Atkins VS South Beach

Also another difference is in the meats and cheeses, SB you use LEAN MEATS and rf or ff cheeses! The first 2 weeks of SB you cant have fruits either they are pretty much the same but after the first 2 weeks with Atkins you count carbs with SB no counting of carbs or calories!

I'll chime in here. I have read both Atkins and South Beach amongst other forms of nutritional approaches...

It comes down to this – required carb levels vary highly by person. Eliminating or reducing them for spans of time WILL contribute to weight loss for many people. However, over time you may find the need to increase your carbohydrate levels to meet your needs. The concern around carbohydrate in excess is that it can contribute to high blood sugar levels, insulin spikes, weight gain. This effect varies widely by person. Some DO need to stay in a very low carbohydrate diet (ketogenic) for health concerns (i.e. diabetes, ADHD, epilepsy) BUT this should not be done without the consult of a medical professional and this doesn’t represent most people…ANYWAY…

That aside, the big difference between Atkins and SB is fat, not protein.

Atkins emphasizes a HIGH FAT diet, moderate protein, very low carb (initially).
SB emphasizes a HIGH PROTEIN diet, and a greater allowance of carbohydrate.

If you are in Atkins phase 1, you are eating a meat and egg-centric diet. Your vegetable choices are limited to greens and cruciferous veggies (cabbage, broccoli) for their relatively low carbohydrate content. Fruits are limited due to naturally occurring sugars. Atkins seems to catch a lot of crap in most standard nutritional communities, unless they’re a “low carb” focus community.

If you’re in SB phase 1, you’re eating mostly veggies, fruits, nuts, lean proteins. Not much fat.

Side note: If it bears the SB or Atkins name and it’s a processed food product, it’s marketing hype and is bad for you.

I’ve tried both approaches. Both still require exercise and portion control – they’re definitely no easy cure-all. Yes, you lose weight rapidly, but they’re not sustainable over time – nor should they be. I disliked SB, liked Atkins more. I agree to an extent with Dr. Atkins (and others in the low carb field) that fat isn’t necessarily your enemy. It’s a highly satiating nutrient, pending you’re obtaining it from whole food sources and are aware of portions. SB left me hungry  but others may enjoy it. Personal preference, I suppose.

Over time, your goal should be to look for a more balanced diet. I had put on some weight recently due to bad food choices and a busy schedule, and tried and true, I cut the sugar, grains, and refined crap and I’m back to feeling good. Sugar and refined starches do much more damage on my cholesterol levels (namely LDL and triglycerides) – found that out after following a standard “healthy” higher carb (more than 45% of calories) diet.

As an aside, I’ve had bloodwork done while eating a high fat diet. High HDL, low LDL, moderate overall blood cholesterol levels. I don’t tell my doctor how I eat. It’ll just end up in an argument about how fat is awful for you. A REAL concern with extended very/low carbing has more to do with thyroid function and body temperature. You may experience low body temp / poor thyroid function, so if this is a concern for you (existing condition) and you want to low-carb, PLEASE make sure to monitor it.

In the past month or so, I’ve went back to eating a tried & true whole foods diet – meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, some dairy, limited grains, little to no sugar. About 20% carbohydrate, 50% fat, 30% protein daily. It’s good and I’m losing the weight I [stupidly] put on.

Over time, your goal should be to look for a more balanced diet. I had put on some weight recently due to bad food choices and a busy schedule, and tried and true, I cut the sugar, grains, and refined crap and I’m back to feeling good. Sugar and refined starches do much more damage on my cholesterol levels (namely LDL and triglycerides) – found that out after following a standard “healthy” higher carb (more than 45% of calories) diet.

I'm confused. How do sugar and refined startches fall into any "helathy" higher carb diet? I'm assuming you mean sugar in it's processed, granulated form and not fruit?

I think that south beach will be easier to maintain in the long run. I can't imagine doing Atkins for life! My husband has had great success with Atkins, BUT he has had success MANY times. When he stops...the weight goes back on. FAST.

Over time, your goal should be to look for a more balanced diet. I had put on some weight recently due to bad food choices and a busy schedule, and tried and true, I cut the sugar, grains, and refined crap and I’m back to feeling good. Sugar and refined starches do much more damage on my cholesterol levels (namely LDL and triglycerides) – found that out after following a standard “healthy” higher carb (more than 45% of calories) diet.

I'm confused. How do sugar and refined startches fall into any "helathy" higher carb diet? I'm assuming you mean sugar in it's processed, granulated form and not fruit?

Sugar, starches, and grains in general. I think I'm sarcastically referring to those as defined as "healthy" like honey, agave, breads, etc - do me more harm than good.

I also agree with the other poster ... I lost weight doing Atkins maybe 10 years ago. Then gained it back, because I love some bread, rice & pasta every now and then! Went with Weight Watchers so i COULD have a little of the healthy carbs. Love it. I do think South Beach is kind of an "updated" version of Atkins. Seems healthier - you can't just eat unlimited red meat and bacon! Lol... You're supposed to be eating leaner meats. Sounds smarter to me. I think the key is, you gotta find something you can really LIVE with. It's supposed to be life changes that change your way of eating forever. I must forever have bread.

My understanding is that South Beach is a "heart healthy" Atkins. Atkins allows you to have any kind of meat for the most part, but South Beach promotes lower fat meats. I had some success with South Beach, but found that my metabolism slowed down quite a bit after a few rounds of South Beach. I always dropped a lot of weight fast - but it came back on and then some when I was done.

But there aren't really any "rounds" to it. That is the problem. It's a lifestyle change, not a diet. You have to stick with the program, which phase 3 is simple. You're allowed quite a bit of healthy carbs (Which is what you should be eating on any eating plan). You can't just go off it and expect to lose/maintain weight. Same thing with low fat or low calorie or anything else. Once you stop that behavior you are going to gain weight. If a person thinks they can't commit to eating a smaller amount of carbs and making the ones you do eat healthy ones, then a low carb eating plan is probably not for you.

OK I think the main thing that everyone is missing here is that whether you do Atkins or SB its is lifestyle change NOT a diet. The first 2 weeks are used to rid your body of the sugars and level your blood sugar levels. Personally I have done both. I have lost weight on both and BOTH were recommended by my doctor due to me having insulin resistance. Meaning my body cannot process carbs well so it send my blood sugar to uncontrollable levels. As long as you follow the plan and find out what your body can and cannot do it will work and you will take it off!! The thing to remember is that life happens and MOST people are addicted to carbs due to the great increase in fast foods and the hype of sugary desserts and such and that is fine. BUT carbs (meaning an excess of ANY carb good or bad) is killing us and we need to step back and look at WHAT and HOW much of what we are eating affects us.

My dad has been on Atkins two or three times and always gains the 100+ lbs. he lost. It's just not a maintainable diet... I don't like either. If you're on MFP, just put in your information and goals and go by what MFP recommends for you. There are several people on here who have lost 100+ lbs. this way!!!