Hello -- just started and am on day 6 of Phase 1. I think this is a logical and sensible plan, but frankly, I find the book a little vague. For example, when I begin Phase 2 I understand that I can start eating fruits and other things that are low on the Glycemic INdex. What I don't understand is what "low" would be. The index is provided, but I have no frame of reference for where to draw the line. Suggestions? I'm also not sure what the point of counting out nuts is, since we are advised to eat them when we're hungry without much concern for calories, carbs, fats, etc. Finally, I see in some parts that yams and sweet potatoes are allowed in Phase 2, but I don't see them listed in the "allowed" and "not-allowed" sections.

Also, does anyone have any info on sweet treats that don't have aspartame in them? I would love to have a fudgcicle right now, but wish they had Splenda in them. I read somewhere else in here that someone has found some yogurts that are aspartame-free, and I'd love the names.

Thanks in advance!

Abby

Your profile says Schwarzbein but you posted in South Beach -
which one do you try to do? It helps in the beginning to stick to the letter of one diet, but trying to mix.

You can always buy plain yoghurts and add things to them.

Oh, I was on Schwarzbein over a year ago and found that it was a great general lifestyle diet but I really couldn't lose weight on it at all. The SB Plan seems to be quite similar in the final phase. I'm on the SB Plan currently so that I can just fit into my clothes a bit better!

To me low is around 50 and under...most of what I eat is 50 or under on the glysemic index with moderate amounts 75 and under and over 75 in very limited amounts...

If you are doing SBD, get the good fats good carbs guide...it lays out what foods to eat, what foods to eat in limited amounts and what foods to avoid...After being on SBD for almost 5 months I still look up something almost everyday.

Also, I've had sweet potatos a couple of times a week since ending Phase I...there is even a BBQ place here that has sweet potato fries...they are listed as a good food in the guide.

On Phase I becareful to eat only what is allowed...when starting Phase II add things in one item at a time and measure that foods affect on weight loss and cravings.

As far as nuts, peanuts and pistachios...I've never counted them. I usually have a small handfull and only for a scheduled snack. If you eat enough at meal time (always eat until satisfied not full) you shouldn't be hungry until snack...be careful with nuts, some are higher in carbs than others...stick with almonds and walnuts.

Good luck!

Pick up a copy of "The South Beach Diet Good Fats Good Carbs Guide" by Dr. Agatston. It is a paperback book that lists 1,200 foods with portion, total carbs, total sugar, total fat, and recommendation.

The recommendation is usually either "Good", "Limited", "Very Limited" or "Avoid".

The idea is to eat "Good" foods and not eat the "Avoid" foods.