After a loooong hiatus I am back to these forums.

A quick summary: Was 190 lbs, started Atkins (all the way into the second stage whose name escapes me) and went down to 168 lbs. Eventually I started slacking off...eating the bad stuff. Started to gain weight again so decided to start induction, however this time it just didn't work as well. I was working out regularly and still no weight loss during induction.

Fast forward to now and I kept reading reports of how south beach as a 'healthier', and somewhat 'easier' alternative. I just bought the books and i'm thinking of trying this out. So I suppose my questions are: What are the major differences in the two diets, and are there any former atkins followers who are now doing south beach?

I changed from atkins to SBD and like you I had a good weight loss with atkins and I to start slacking off and some weight gained, I tried to do the atkins again I just could'nt get into it, so here I am on the SBD, the two diet's have the same princable but are very different, Im finding the SBD a little more diffacult because there is so much more to have on the SBD (which is a good thing) I think I need a restrictive diet my taste buds are all over the place at the moment

I have done both diets. In my experience, Atkins works well when the carbs are zero and the body has moved into ketosis. The problem I had is that almost any carbs at that point will kick me back out of ketosis and stall any progress. SBD, on the other hand, allows good carbs and ther eis not the constant worry and checking of the urine. My progress is slower, but I am eating so much better. 5 vegs a day and the proteins. Occasional small fruit and it is something I feel I can continue doing for many months as my body changes. On Atkins I was climbing the wall desiring any carb after a few weeks.

I have been at my current weight (somewhat higher than I would like but in the normal range) since May last year - loosing 25 lbs in about 4-5 months before that. South Beach is easy to maintain - realistically, you don't want to count carbs for life. And the variety, as was said before, is high, though you need to watch out against processed carbs and high fat.

What seems clear is:

- if you have a lot of issues with portion control, cravings, and can't handle rules that say: "ok but only in moderation", Atkins is better because ketosis really controls hunger, and SBD tends to tell you that certain foods may or may not be ok depending on you. The rules are more: try out if it is ok for you.
- if you have issues with high cholesterol etc., SBD is likely to be better for you and more likely approved by your doc (though there are counter examples: Isiar on this forum - who seems to have left - did South Beach and had high values, and there are Atkins folks whose cholesterol went down).
- SBD is easier to follow if you are vegetarian because most veggies aren't restricted at all.
- Atkins is cheaper - low fat meats, and fish and fresh veggies, the essence of the "as natural as possible" Joesfolk correctly stated, are usually much more expensive.