Since I am a diabetic, I have been told to steer away from low-fat due to the addition of sugar in the product - how do diabetics do on this program using the low-fat products?

Not all low fat products have sugar added in excess - you'll have to check the labels. For example, low fat peanut butter has a LOT of added sugar - compare Simply Jif at 6g of carbs to Reduced Fat Jif at 15g of carbs per 2 Tablespoon serving. On the other end of the spectrum, you can look at Philedpelhia Cream Cheese with 1g carb per serving, or the 1/3 Less Fat variety with the same carb count per serving.

That said, most people on this forum aren't as low fat as the book originally stated. See the following from the "Welcome to the SBD" post at the top of the forum:

South Beach isn't low fat, it's healthy fat. So the emphasis is on lean protein, low fat dairy. For these items the fat hasn't been replaced with more sugar. Some items like salad dressings, mayonnaise do have sugar added to the low fat versions so for these items the full fat versions are a better choice for everyone not just diabetics.

Personally, I choose to limit my saturated fat intake in accordance with the plan as written even though that is not the view on most people on this board.

I agree that reading ingredients is the safest.
I really love the ingredients list on ff 1/2 & 1/2. First of all the fact that it even bears the name is a little silly but if you read the ingred, you won't want to consume any.

oh, ff 1/2 and 1/2 is a joke. corn syrup is added. go with the real stuff in moderation.

Exactly and I totally agree!!

I do the same as you on sat fat. Its worked out really well for me and I won't look a gift horse in the mouth...KWIM?

FWIW- I use regular H&H in my coffee. Years ago when I read the ingredient list of the FF H&H? I burst out laughing in the store and put it right back on the shelf. HFCS? not in my body!!

I hope I am not opening a can of worms, and I am sufe that if I were more adept at using this site I would probably find this info...but why do many opt to not limit sat fats on SBD? I have no problem with others doing so, just curious as to whether this makes for a better loss? I did atkins successfully years ago, so I know sat fat can work...but what Dr A said in the book about the effects of sat fat on blood chemistry and artery walls kind of scared me into a straight version of SBD for me!

###EDIT### Okay, I found the info in the sticky. Definite worm can opening stuff, so forget I asked.

FWIW...it is a can of worms and I have tried to stay out of the debate as I do what works for me.
I use low fat dairy when I enjoy the taste of reduced fat.
I use whipped butter as it is a bit lower in total calories than butter.
I use H&H in my coffee and keep it to 1-2 TBS per day.
I do not drink heavy cream or use it in my cooking.
I do use light cream cheese and still keep my total chese intake to 1-2 ozs per day.
I do use reduced fat cheddar cheese.

Hope this helps!!