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 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

.

Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!

Wow, I think this is a really great idea. I don't follow SB, I follow Atkins -- I'm not really into the fat restriction myself. But I also understand that this is a merely personal choice. My plan is right for me and other peoples plans are just as right for them.

I work closely with a group of people who are on SB. They are doing quite well and are very happy with their choice in plans. We talk quite a bit about our WOE's and share tips, successes and recipes. I've noticed, especially in the earlier phases, SB and Atkins are more similar than different. Many of our recipes are compatible with just a slight change in ingredients.

I have a feeling you are making a lot of people very happy with this new sub-forum. I think SBer's and people on other plans can learn a lot from each other and offer a lot of support. Thanks!

I just wanted to thank this LC Forum Team for allowing us to try a new approach while still being able to be a part of this forum. I enjoy it here and have for a long while.I need the support of this fine group of folks and as long as you will have me here I'd love to stay.I know we support and help those who may fall off the LC wagon and think everyone should have the support they need while trying to make positive changes in their WOE.

I understand what you are saying about the sat. fat issue and have no problem with anyone saying what they believe at any time.

Thanks Again to a wonderful team,
Linda

I didn't realize SB was controversial. I buzzed through the book at my mother in laws, and I thought, this is basically Atkins at one of the intermediate levels. Even Atkins says you have to lower your fat intake as you increase carbs. And some people do find they have more trouble controlling cravings when saturated fat is high. This is definitely a YMMV. I wish everyone on SB the best of luck and will lurk here to see your successes!

Hi All,

Thanks for the well wishes for us "Beachers" Nina. I do believe you are right.What you stated in how you see the SB WOE is exactly how I looked at it.I was on Atkins over 3 yrs. and was struggling with gains and stalls.I read Atkins again and he said if you are truly stalled to try another plan but just stay on A PLAN. I did FF for a few months but it is restrictive and not easy to do unless you stay home most of the time.When I started reading about SB it was,to me,a happy medium between the 2. I lost 6.5 now since last Tues. and it was just the kicker I needed.

Tonight is buffet at the Horshoe Casino and I'm confident that I'll make good choices.This will be a first for me.I have no cravings and vowed to keep it that way.Nothing worse than being nagged at by voice in your head telling you what to eat all day. I'd give in to the cravings to shut the voice up and he'd invite his family to nag me...never ended!

Hope you all have a great day...
Linda

Yay! I'm happy to see that this forum has finally started! I think you have made a good choice here. Your comments about saturated fat were just right - people should read all the information they can get and make their own decisions. I think that the jury is still out on this issue.

Hi Zandria,

Great to see you here.I think a lot of us landed at the thread called "anyone doing the South beach diet" so come visit there,too.I am hoping we all settle into one for now so it does not get too time consuming to find everyone.I'm on week 2 of induction (10 days behind me) and I've lost 6.5 with 12.5 to go to my lowest.I do not miss the cravings at all...it helps me to make better choices when I'm out.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Linda

Hi there.

I'm very new to this whole forum and would like to know what everyone thinks about the South Beach Diet. I haven't read the book. Does anyone know the main facets of the plan?

Thanks

My S.O. ordered the SB diet book recently, and is anxious to get started, as she's bored silly of atkins. I won't be able to follow her, as I love beef and mayo and things like that. I will be keeping an eye on this forum to see how you all are doing, and perhaps, I MAY be swayed to try it.
Glad to have found this forum.

Hi all,
I just borrowed the book from a friend of mine. We are doing the Atkins,but we thought we would check this one out too and see if we could combine it a little.
I'm glad there is a forum on this.
I do like some of the receipies.

Hi PilotGal and sassy,

Thanks for the visit and feel free to just lurk or to join in anytime.The more the merrier and the more support.

I am still in week 3 and down 8 lbs. with 10 to go to my first goal (the lowest I had been in yrs. but then gained some back) I'm noticing a huge difference in many things,esp. my waistline and legs and my pants are much baggier than just an 8# loss so it definitely helps you lose inches. I also notice that even though we eat more carbs on this and no cravings.I have had cereal,fruit,milk,etc....no cravings.I belive that the reason for that is that I am eating the right carbs...low on the glycemic index scales and all of them have loads of fiber.

I do hope we can continue with posts here n this forum.Things are getting a bit scattered throughout but I just hunt all f my felow beachers down...LOL Hope you all have a great day....

Linda

Hi LInda and thanks for the welcome. I was reading the book yesterday during my lunch hour and really undecided. I didn't like half of the food suggested in the induction. I can't have sea food. hate cottage cheese. I will look thru it more.
My main problem is for breakfast and lunch. right now,I'm eating a sausage egg and cheese without the biscuit and for lunch it has been salads,which you do get tired of.

Hi all, I'm just in to my 2nd week of SB and I'm down 8 lbs. so far. I've enjoyed the variety of recipes and love that I can still have my steak (I have modified my portions). My husband is doing it with me and although he doesn't have very much to lose, he's a big support. My problem will be when I start adding grains, etc. I have celiac disease, which is an allergy to gluten which is found in rye, barley, wheat,etc. Oats are still iffy but there have been some very successful studies in Finland which shows that Oats may be okay for celiac adults. Anyway, my concern is getting the fiber in my diet. I do eat a lot of veggies, but can only eat so much in a day. I'll be limiting my potato content (hardest job). My gluten-free bread is very high in the glycemic index which is not a good thing. Any suggestions for fiber would be welcoming. I'm still trying to figure out this forum, but will figure it out eventually.

oops.. posted this as new thread by mistake...
been doing pretty good following the SBD recipes for Stage 1... but when we (hubby and I ) started phase 2 we ran into a problem... snow and ice storm and supply of good foods limited.... But we will get through 2 days and pray the roads are better tomorrow.... He has lost a bunch in phase 1 but he's very active... me.... not as much but can't complain.... will stick with it until I reach my goal..