I can't say whether or not I agree because I've just started. I'm guessing I will love the plan based on all the positive reviews on the SBD group!

I really like South Beach as well - as I often say, it's not "low carb" (except for Phase 1) but "low crap." However, I've discovered that along with generally following the SB principles, I also needed to start tracking, weighing and measuring in order to get my portion sizes under control. I am seeing a nutritionist, and she is very clear that just because something is healthy doesn't mean you can eat as much of it as you want. Well, I can with vegetables, but not so much with cheese and nuts. I am doing a lot better now that I'm journaling what I'm eating and making sure that a cup of cereal isn't a cup and a half and a quarter-cup of nuts isn't three quarters.

I've made a few small modifications to SB based on how I feel and what my nutritionist wants me to do. I don't do no-fat dairy anymore, I generally do reduced fat. And I don't believe in artificial sweeteners, so I don't have those.

"Slow carb low crap" - that's perfect!

I was fooling myself munching on small handfuls of nuts while at work and thinking I was still eating "healthy enough to lose." I was initially shocked at how few nuts 1/4 cup really are! Now, though, I measure them out and take them to work and only eat them as a planned snack when hungry. And now when I eat them, I put my full attention on them. What a difference! Quarter-cup is enough to satisfy me when eaten mindfully with full attention, and I'm not trying to satisfy junk food induced cravings.

It's been so interesting seeing my body's reactions to different foods post Phase 1. Turns out I can still successfully lose if I have a frozen yogurt one or two nights a week. I still wouldn't do that every day, but that doesn't trigger cravings even though it has added sugar. But I had some Chinese food over the weekend that triggered intense post-meal cravings, I think it was the hoisin sauce. So now I know. One of the other things I like about South Beach is the idea of paying attention to your own reaction to various foods, since everyone is different in terms of what will be OK and what triggers bad blood sugar reactions.

I was actually raised on a pretty healthy diet for the time of my childhood - for example, my mom did not believe in sugary soda when almost everyone else was drinking it. So naturally I left home and briefly rebelled some on that But I haven't had soda in many years now, I really like seltzer or sparking water, or I have a chilled pitcher of filtered water in the frig with slices of lemon. The only calories I want to drink now are the occasional glass of wine with dinner.