Welcome to the SBD forum, please read
 

Dear Members,

For the past months, we (forum admins and moderators) debated whether to create a South Beach Diet sub-forum for our members. After exhaustive study/reading/debate, we have voted, Yes, but with serious reservations, and for a trial period to see how it develops. Therefore, we would like to provide some background on the critical issues involved in reaching this decision:


1. Maintaining a Supportive Atmosphere: We pride ourselves on maintaining a very supportive environment and flame-war free space for support and discussion. We do not intend or pretend to be all things to all people. For the low-carb plans that we do support, we want to ensure compatibility between the plans. If we find the situation unmanageable, or if we find we need to constantly remind members to be civil to each other and respect followers of other low-carb plans, we may need to reconsider whether maintaining an SBD forum is a good idea. But, from past experience with our members, we trust this will not be necessary and that all low-carb followers can respect followers of other low-carb plans.

2. Support for healthy low-carb lifestyle: We have a fundamental disagreement with SBD's position towards natural animal fats, i.e. saturated fats. While SBD broke from the mainstream of traditional diets of preaching low-fat and low-calorie, it kept one questionable idea--disdain for naturally existing saturated fats from animals and plants. There is a large body of new scientific evidence correcting this misconception, and Dr. Agatston provided no supporting evidence of any dangers from animal fats. To our knowledge, all studies condemning saturated fats were conducted on specifically high-carb diets

So, we encourage SBD followers to research the issue, as they may miss out on a lot of valuable, healthy, natural, fat-soluble vitamins and minerals that exist in natural saturated fats. Additional information and references related to this issue are provided at the bottom of this post.

3. South Beach Diet is a Low-Carb Diet: This point is intended for those who have not read the SBD book, regardless of which plan they follow. While the book opens up with a sentence, "this is not a low-carb diet", the entire book is focused on reducing carb intake, and making carb choices based on the Glycemic Index. There is a misconception surrounding SBD, that it is low-calorie, and/or low-fat. This is incorrect, as there is not fat or caloric restrictions in the book. However, this misconception may be based on some of the daily menus listed in the book and on various web sites, particularly with the amount of low-fat products, egg substitutes and fat-free cooking spray recommended. The book specifically discourages using low-fat products, due to the usual substitution for fat with sugar and processed carbs. It is worth explaining that the book only mentions low-fat dairy, due to its position regarding saturated fats. i.e. the book is not encouraging low-fat, it's advocating low saturated fats. We disagree with the author's position on saturated fats, as there are no supporting studies for this position. However, the plan is not low-fat, as such a label is not accurate. The plan is low on saturated fats.

4. Modified South Beach Diet: While we support those who follow SBD by the book, we are in essence promoting a modified version of the plan. i.e. SBD without limitations on saturated fats. But this is merely a suggested approach, and as stated, we encourage you to follow your own research of available scientific literature.

We are highlighting the above four points in order to prevent any possible misunderstandings. We support the South Beach Diet and consider it a valid low-carb plan. We do not consider it low-fat, or low-calorie. Yet we maintain that the author is in error in claiming that saturated fats are dangerous. He may be right. But until there is valid scientific research proving this point, we advise SBD followers to read the existing scientific literature to make an informed decision.

We should point out that this is our policy in general. We support all healthy low-carb plans, but we do not consider any specific low-carb author to be perfect. We respect every member's right to point out any disagreements they have with any specific low-carb plans and we've dedicated a specific forum(Low-Carb Research & Studies) that can be used for this purpose. We have also dedicated a special forum (The War Zone) for debates on issues based on opinions and that lack any supporting scientific evidence.

As always, we do not tell members what or what not to eat. Rather, we advise members to read the books for the plan they follow, do their own research and discuss with others, and follow the plan that works best for them.

However, please do not be offended and do not consider it any form of bashing when we highlight scientific evidence disproving the claimed dangers of saturated fats. Indeed, we invite you to contribute any research you find on this issue.

In conclusion, we hope having you with us does not create any conflicts and that any discussion regarding saturated fats, either for or against, will be welcomed and considered a helpful tool for research and not as insults or bashing.

Best regards,

Active Low-Carber Team.

References:
-----------
Know Your Fats .. from the Weston A. Price Foundation
High saturated fat, no-starch diet doesn't raise cholesterol .. from the Mayo Clinic
Saturated Fats are better for you than Unsaturated fats .. facts on coconut oil
Understanding Ornish--When saturated fats cause heart disease
Study shows Saturated Fat not linked to Diabetes
27 studies show saturated fat raises "good" HDL
Dietary Trans Fatty Acids vs. Butter
The Soft Science of Dietary Fat .. Gary Taubes 2001 Science article

.

Welcome to the SBD Forum
 

A little SB advice







.

Hi Karen,
Over the last 5 weeks I have lost 15.4 pounds.
This is amazing for me who has such a hard time losing weight.
SB is gr8 cause it has a lot more then most low carbing options.
Ty
Nancy

SB has made low carbing a little more livable for me!

question for south beach dieters
 

i am very interested in trying the sout beach diet. i picked up the book though and see that most recipies include dairy. I have a degree of lactose intolerance/sensitivity and try to avaid dairy when possible. Do you think it is feasible to stay on the SB Diet without eating dairy?

Yes, its very possible to do the SBD without eating dairy!!

Check out the meal plan chart in the thread marked South beach Food lists in this thread. Also, check out the approved foods list at mizfrogspad.com, link in this thread too!!

Good luck!! :D

Hi..I am starting again the SBD..hope i suceed this time..

Hi just starting the SBD (getting the book this evening and going grocery shopping tomorrow) just finding my way around

If you're wanting to join in on a very lively thread called the Beach Babes, then come on over, it's in the link on the picture in my signature :)

Hi everyone!

Just re-started this awesome diet today! I'm here for the support it looks like you all give each other!

:)

Hey everybody,
I,ve been low carbing for a few weeks on atkins but I'm officially switching to SB. I just think it'll work better for me. Actually If you count all of my "mistakes" I've pretty much been doing SB except with too much fat. Still lost 10 lbs. I don't feel healthy though. I have no energy, hoping SB will feel better to me. I love to read all the advice on this website! I've really learned a lot here!

hello
 

Hello, everyone. Just starting sb. Hope it works for me.


thanks.

Yes you can do it without dairy
 

Hi, and welcome. I've been on this for 2 months. Yes, you can do this without eating dairy. I have not eaten dairy (except yogurt, which I can tolerate), for years, and on this plan you can do it too. A little light cream is usually okay for people with a dairy problem, because there is almost no lactose or other milk things in it (it's a lot of fat and stuff). Anyway, I also sub in almond milk now and then. You can eat almonds, and eat almond butter (within reason). Almonds are extremely high in calcium, broccoli isn't bad either. A calcium supplement is a good idea. Nuts and seeds are okay in SBD. Um...Have you tried goat's cheese? When I want to have something with cheese, I use goat's mozarella, which is lower in fat than the cheddar. I take a larger potato peeler (the new 2 inch kind they sell) and shave off a slice of cheese. You get a lot of satisfaction this way without eating too much (fat content). I can't drink goat's milk, don't like the taste, but love the cheeses. Most people who have a problem with cow's products are okay with goats.
But basically, most things that require dairy, like Italian foods, and potatoes, and bread, are gone from SB anyway, so the need for dairy is gone too, in a way.
Enjoy exploring!
Goldie.

Thanks for sharing your experience goldd!! :thup: :D

That post is from a year ago and that person is not around here any longer.

question re: nuts
 

I saw him say that too. I do try to buy raw nuts but its just not always convenient...do the best you can!! :thup: :D

Still learning
 

oops, still learning the system I guess. Too bad we can't dump the old posts from the forums and start fresh...I'll have to do a better job checking and learning. So little time for it all!

hey! i'm new. hello all!

Welcome Kali!! :wave:

Hi, I am new to this forum and the low-carb lifestyle. I am on Day 2 of Phase 1 of the SBD. Hoping to fit into my clothes again!

Hello........I am switching to SB today from Atkins. I have lost 4 pounds since the 19th of September. I think SB would be easier and healthier for me.

Good Luck to you!! :wave:

I hope that you stick with it for the first 2 weeks and get done with your phase I!! :idea: :agree: :D

Hi,

I'm new. I've never tried SBD before, but I read lots of articles on the net about it. I don't have the book yet, but I'd like to get started. I'd like to lose 50 pounds by the end of december. Is that a realistic goal on the SBD?

If anyone has any links on how to do this plan in phase I; what I eat, how many times, setting up meals, etc etc, please feel free to email me.

Also, I'd love a support buddy. If anyone is interested, veteran or beginner who is really going to be dedicated to sticking it out with me, please PLEASE email me.

Thanks

Welcome Halalgirl!! :wave:

First of all....please see the thread here titled Updated Food lists...it also had Meal Plan charts that will help you learn how to eat the South Beach way. If you have a printer, please print this all up and use as reference as you learn the plan.

It will help you to read the book too.

Support is very available to you in the South Bach Babes thread, just post to it and introduce yourself.

IMHO, I do not think that anyone can lose 50 lbs in 3 months. It will take as long as it takes all depending on you and how close to stick to the plan, exercise, etc. A more realistic amount of time would be 6-8 months. It took me 10 months to lose 74 pounds, 15 months to lose 100 lbs and a total of 20 months to lose a total of 114 lbs. This was staying onplan for the entire time.

Each of us are different....age, body condition, health issues...all come into play in how long it takes us to lose our weight. I know you want it gone tomorrow but it just does not come off fast. It's better to lose it slowly anyway...1-2 lbs a week after phase I losses(5-10 lbs), is what you can expect.

So get busy posting to the other threads here in this forum and say Hi! :wave: to all our other members. :agree: :D

Good Luck!! :thup:

Hi SBeacher's :wave:

My SB day start's tomorrow. I've got 40-50 #'s that I want gone forever!
I would like to have 30lbs off at least by Xmas or New Year's..but either way it's going to be a WOE for me.I'm going to be 58 soon & I really need to lead a healthier life-style. I look forward to meeting most of the folk's in here! Ilene ;)

Hi Ilene,
Pleased to meet you.
There are some wonderful people among these threads.
Lots of help and support.

Pleased to meet you
Nanc

Been doing atkins since Aug'03.
I just bought the SBD book on friday and came over to see what you all have to say about it.

Hi Med :wave: I switched over to SB in July, and am very pleased that I did.

I originally got to goal with Atkins in around 2002, but with one thing and another, I very stupidly put it all back on again and more. I kept trying to lose it again with Atkins, but found that I was yo-yoing the same 10lbs over and over again.

So, I decided to change to South Beach, having seen Judynyc's success with it.

As you can see from my stats, I'm now almost back to goal again, having lost over 30lbs, and two dress sizes, since I became a South Beacher :)

I love it on the Beach ;) :thup:

Hi Demi.
I remember you switching over - you are my inspiration!

BTW I was thinking of you yesterday because we went to Bluewater. I think you told me you live near there.

I am so glad that this site has a mix of new sb babies and the people that have the experience. THANK YOU THANK YOU!