South Beach vs. Atkins

[raven0573]

I am fairly new to this website and have a question if anyone can help me....I would like to know if anyone has tried Atkins and didn't do that well on it and then switched to South Beach and found a difference? I would appreciate anyones opionion or advise.

[Tazman]

I was actually on South beach for 2.5 weeks and followed the diet exactly as the book said and didn`t loose a single pound. I have now been on Atkins for the past week and the pounds are startin to fall off. I was quite discouraged on South Beach because nothing at all happened. I guess the amount of carbs allowed on it was to much for me. Hoping to lose 30 pounds on Atkins.

[raven0573]

Thanks for the reply. I have been on Atkins since the end of January and haven't lost the amount that I wanted to. I have also had my gallbladder out 2 years ago so I it is hard for me to digest the high fat foods allowed on Atkins. I'm debating on the South Beach diet or some other form of low carb diet because I like the way I feel on this type of diet. I hope you have success with Atkins. :)

[Monika4]

Raven there is another thread with the same subject in the SBD forum. You can look for my name or Engine9 or Wow, but you could also look for switch as a keyword within the SB forum. I just didn't like the idea of so much fat. I really didn't give Atkins a chance for that reason. But it is easy to stall and go up - while a lot of carbs are allowed in phase 2, you have to add them one by one slowly, and most of us here figured out that we can't have them all. So, if you had fruit, you might not do well if you also have whole grain bread that day. It is more flexible but you have to figure out your own system. I am often on the way and because I know I stall when I am hungry for a few hours, I always take an apple along - easy, but I don't think it would allowed on Atkins.

But I feel well on it and it works well enough for me - nearly 20 lbs in 3 month. If you feel better on SBD than on Atkins go for it. There are enough here to document it is possible. It is not quite as clearly written, in that it is hard to follow the book because it contradicts itself and asks you to check on yourself. Good luck!

[raven0573]

Monika,
Hey thanks for the response. I went to the book store and looked thru the SB book and your right it is confusing. It seems you guys on here have a lot more practical advise than the book right now.
As I can see SB is pretty much the same as Atkins with a few exceptions. I'm going to look thru the different threads to find the acceptable foods for Phase I. If you have any further advice I would really appreciate it. My husband of course is doing great on Atkins but I know each person is different. It seems like Atkins almost works better for men than for women.
I'll keep you posted.

[Monika4]

Hi Raven, I can understand you might have trouble with fat without a gall bladder! I am trying to summarize: Pretty much all veggies are allowed except very high carb ones like red beets which you should know from Atkins. No counting carbs of veggies. No fruit or nuts or alcoholic drinks in phase 1. Eggs ok. Meat in phase 1: stick to low fat cuts, mostly white cuts of chicken and turkey, no dark poultry, no pork, ham, fatty beef. Recommend more fish and shellfish. LF or no fat cheese and other dairy is also important. Pretty much that's it.

[raven0573]

Monika,
Thanks for the tips. When I was on Atkins I pretty much stayed to that regimen because the fatty foods bothered me. It will be nice to have unlimited veggies. I have to try to stay away from the "sugar free" snacks I think. I've read a few threads that malitol and substitutes like it can cause stalls. I have a weakness for the Atkins bars and the no carb dark chocolate. Do you find that to be the case with you? Talk to you soon. :rolleyes:

[Monika4]

My weakness is more wine and nuts. Both are the "allowed in small amounts" category in South Beach.
I got this from another thread - here you have all the allowed and not allowed foods:

http://www.mizfrogspad.com/south_beach_diet.htm

[raven0573]

Thanks Monika!!! There are so many recipes to try. I appreciate the help. :rolleyes: