Excuse me for being a moron, but what the hell is the South Beach diet?

Shit Volcano, it's one of those new fad diets that cuts out carbs completely for the first 2 weeks then reintroduces them slowly. Even then they have to be limited and preferably whole grains.

Sounds like a lot of hoo-haw to me. Carbs fuel your brain. Don't cut out fruits and veggies and make yourself stupid! No normal human being ever lived off of high protein diets. Just look what happened to that Atkins freak?

Thanks, pooQueen. Now I can pretend I knew that all along.

As a person who has loved animals all my life, I'll say it again........
There is nothing right about any diet that allows for meats like bacon while disallowing fruits and vegetables.
There is nothing right about it.
Furthermore, I'd like to see a study in ten years of serious Atkins diets followers and a study cross examining hemorrhoids and colon cancer.

Do what I do, avoid anything pure white, like white bread and tortillas, and enriched stuff. Enjoy fruits and veggies and beans and remember, no shortcuts to outdo a bunch of shit you've done to yourself a whole life.

Besides, god may be a cow.

I agree with Daphne. My diet is mostly fruits and veggies because of an iron toxicity problem. That means no red meat without absolute agony. The high protein thing would kill me. So far I have been on a diet like Daphne suggests for nearly four months and have already lost 15 pounds. Of course there is exercise involved with this too. That helps keep the million wipers away.

Beware ANY diet with limited carbs.
I remember having to do the low carb thing and I was feeling like crap. I was ready to snap and yell and fight.

The brain needs carbs to function. Cut them off for too long and you will be ready to snap too.

I agree with Slim Jim. Our bodies are designed to use carbohydrates, proteins and fats -- each serves a different purpose in producing energy.

Carbos are for the energy you need for immediate use, including thinking, breathing, getting out of your chair, sprinting up the stairs. Protein energy is for rebuilding damaged body tissues, growth and maintenance of muscle, organs, etc. Fat is for slow-burn long term energy, such as for keeping body temperature constant and for aerobic exercise such as walking or running long distances at a steady pace.

Each is meant to be eaten in certain proportions, with complex carbos making up the bulk of caloric intake, followed by protein and then by fats.

It's the simple carbos (sucrose, fructose, simple starches) that you need to strictly limit. Think of them as a piece of newspaper that burns up quickly -- you get a rush of energy, then you crash. Complex carbs burn slower, like a nice, big wooden stick that provides heat in the fireplace longer than does the newspaper.

Cutting all carbos from the diet will make you feel like crap because you have no ready source of energy. Your body will start burning muscle (protein) before it burns fat, btw, so you end up atrophying. Muscle is denser than fat, so it weighs more per cubic inch. So, you get skinnier and lighter. But you're wasting your body away!

To burn fat, you have to engage in aerobic exercise. The best way to do it, is eat a normal amount of complex carbohydrates and a normal amount of proteins and fats. Then, do a regular regiment of aerobic exercize, such as running, pace walking, swimming, rollerblading, whatever.

What will happen is this: Your body will begin by burning carbos for the initial energy. But once the carbos are used up, it will smoothly switch over to drawing energy from fat next. The aerobic "peak" is essential. Again, using the fire analogy, think of carbos as the kindling. When mixed with oxygen, the flame grows, then burns steadily and you can start feeding the big pieces of firewood (fat) in and that will take over from the kindling.

This lengthy ramble is dedicated to my nutrition professor at the University of Rhode Island. She drummed this stuff into us, and the info is still helpful today. Thanks, Prof.

To set the record straight, the South Beach Diet does NOT cut out carbs and let you eat bacon, sloppy joes and pork rinds all day long. It has you cut out BAD carbs (no refined sugars, processed, foods, etc.). There are PLENTY of vegetables (in the vein of this thread, I'm pretty sure I pooped out an entire asparagus stalk the other night). And it recommends lean meats, including a balance between fish, chicken and red meat. It is true that in the strict phase (first 2 weeks), no fruits are eaten, but they are re-introduced once blood chemistry and metabolism have stabilized after the sugar crash.

Sounds more logical than that Atkins garbage.

Actually, you do eat a lot of fiber on the south beach diet. I've done it on and off and lost a total of 13 pounds, but as far as poop goes, it makes you really gassy and it makes you poop a whole lot (and they're really smelly). I find that not getting starchy stuff into my stomach gives me stomach pain at night, and a piece of bread will calm it down.

I have irritable bowel/celiac disease and tried the south beach diet and atkins diet. I can speak from experience when I say that these diets can make the condition worse. People with these conditions need lots of soluble fiber, whereas these diets promote insoluble fiber. Unfotunately many of the soluble fiber foods can be high in carbs. Its not just a matter of being able to eat vegetables, because many of the low carb vegetables just aren't good for IBS, like beans, broccoli, and spinach. Here is a good website that discusses these foods for IBS http://www.helpforibs.com/diet/fiber1.asp The best thing to do is try to eat balanced meals with an appropriate amount of both types of fiber, carbs and protein. Avoid sugary foods and lots of fruits, as well as potatoes and bread which are the worst. Stay consistent with your food choices each day and get lots of exercise.

Atkins was a freak!

go to hell

Turdinator sounds a bit bitter, don't you think?

Every time I start the South Beach Diet I get horrible stomach pains...but I am going to try it yet again! The SBD was made for heart patients and diabetics. It really does make sense!

What a load of crap. Just get off your fat tookus and ride a bike, swim, roller skate. Pretend you are in a maxi pad commercial. Then lay off the stuff that is obviously bad for you. Don't eat cake and candy and sodas. Don't go to McDonalds. These diets are a rip off. There is no short cut.

SamDamnit!
Rectum Rector
of
The Church of Poop
http://www.myspace.com/saintcarnivean

I wish that people would at the fucking least read the book before the comment on it. The South Beach Diet is based on giving up BAD foods. The simple carbs and sugars. Not eating fast food shit. Eat veggies and after 2 weeks reintroduce the good fruits. Thie diet is based on the glycemic index. And if you don't understand that... you have the world at your fingertips. Search it!!! It's what foods do to your blood sugar. This person had it right.

" South Beach Believer (not verified) -- 06.09.2004

To set the record straight, the South Beach Diet does NOT cut out carbs and let you eat bacon, sloppy joes and pork rinds all day long. It has you cut out BAD carbs (no refined sugars, processed, foods, etc.). There are PLENTY of vegetables (in the vein of this thread, I'm pretty sure I pooped out an entire asparagus stalk the other night). And it recommends lean meats, including a balance between fish, chicken and red meat. It is true that in the strict phase (first 2 weeks), no fruits are eaten, but they are re-introduced once blood chemistry and metabolism have stabilized after the sugar crash."

So people do us all a favor and read the fucking book before you comment!!!

Sorry to disappoint, but the low carb diets do work. I lost 75lbs. I did not buy a book or anything. I just read up on the basics and did it myself. Mostly chicken, lean red meat and a lot of vegetables. 20 minutes a couple of times a week jumping rope helped to. So much for spending money on the diets and exercise equipment.
Now I still eat the same way, except maybe a little more whole wheat bread in there. You don't have to spend money on this, just change what you buy at the store and exercise a little. No more fat clothes. No more high blood pressure. No more acid reflux...

End result we all die anyway. And if we die fat, our pallbearers will get hernias. That will keep surgeons in business. That's good for the economy. Damn, I guess I'll have to write a book now, I sound just like an expert!

Hello. Good Grief...people should know what' they're talking about before they talk. As one person above said...South beach is ALL about health. My husbands cardiologist suggested it and has has lost 40 pounds. :I have lost 60. In six months. We eat piles of vegetables...broccoli with cheese, squash sauteed in olive oil...spinach made with lots of spices...and I don't even LIKE vegetables. :)
No refined sugar,good sugar in moderate amounts through fruit.
It's all natural. Natural oils, whole grain breads, low fat meats, tons of vegetables.
Find out what it's about before bashing it.
Thanks.

Let's address Atkins for a moment.

I'm no dietary expert, but I am a low-carb veteran. I have been on Atkins for quite a while now, and here are my findings:

-You WILL lose weight. Ridiculously fast at times. Atkins sheds pounds faster than any other diet my big ass has ever tried.

-There is a definite period of exhaustion in the first few days of the diet while your body switches from glucose to fat as a main energy source. After that, you should notice no problems. I lift weights and hit the treadmill regularly, and feel great.

-It's a diet, not an excuse to eat pork rinds. If you're subsisting on bacon and sausages, you're not doing Atkins properly.

-It does constipate you. Yes, I fully admit this. But if you drink goodly amounts of water and take fiber supplements, the constipation disappears. After the first phase (Induction) is over with, however, you should be taking in more than enough fiber without supplements to poop normally.

-There is no change in mood. The earlier poster here was probably having a mood impact from quitting favorite carb-bearing foods, not from the metabolic switchover. Personally, I feel more level-headed when controlling carbs. Each to their own, I suppose.

Anyway, that was the straight poop. If you want the real thing, read the entire Atkins book. You'll notice passages encouraging the dieter to eat salads, take fiber, drink water, and exercise. It's not just a lard munching contest. :)

G'night!

ok,let's be real. The SBD helps alot of people, but this diet works better:Fruits, vegetables, lean meat,fish(baked,grilled,steamed or boiled)eggs,and lots of water with 30-45 min a day of exercising you are going to lose alot of weight!! You are able to eat fruit because, it has natural sugar, its low in fat, it has a small amount of carbs in it and full of fiber. I lost 15lbs in one month,it works.

Unfortunately, I find this diet to be impractical. First, and foremost, this diet is EXPENSIVE! Second, you need to be willing to invest alot of time in food preparation. I guess that's why it's called the "South Beach Diet" (for all the rich people that either have a personal chef (with a large budget) or own a restaurant. Much of the food you need to purchase goes bad (i.e. cilantro, turkey for the wraps, etc.) before you can eat it all. Also, alot of wine is used in the preparation of meals. Unfortunately, I don't like wine. The only other recommended fluid is water, except for vegetable or tomato juice at breakfast. I don't drink soda (never have), but I like milk (even skim milk). Very little is mentioned about exceptable beverages. Perhaps this diet would be more effective if I was sharing the expense with a mate, but, I'm single. But, to say something nice, the meals taste good and are filling. Before I bought The South Beach Diet book, I lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks by simply cutting out all sugar and most (not all) starchy carbs (potatoes, corn and rice). I only want to loose 7-8 more pounds, whereupon my body fat will be less than 6-7%. I'm back in the gym, pumping iron to increase my muscle mass. So, I guess I just need to start jogging to burn off the rest of the fat.

Just try stick with foods low on the Glycemic Index during the week and reward yourself within reason on Saturday. If you don't know what the Glycemic Index is... Google it.

I have to echo the comments from a couple of people above: Read the book before you comment. The book extensively discusses the science behind the program and it is an easy, understandable read. But one very important thing to understand: The Southbeach diet was not primarily designed for weight-loss. It was to helping people with existing or potential heart problems and pre-diabetes correct their blood chemistry. It turns out that it also helps those patients lose and maintain Weight. It is written by a practicing cardiologist who is also a leading researcher. The diet is neither low carb or low fat per-se. It is definitely NOT anti fruit or vegetable, although fruits and carbs other than fresh veggies are restricted in phase one. It advocates large amounts of fresh vegetables, fish, lean meats, whole grains, and mono-unsaturated fats. It IS vehemently anti-processed carbohydrate and anti-saturated fat. It's goal is management of blood sugar, tri-glycerides, and cholesterol. I am 40 and was recently diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and my doctor recommended trying this, combined with moderate excercise, as an alternative to treatment with medication. I am through the first week and have actually found it to be quite easy so far. The cooking and prep times are minimal in comparison to many traditional recipes, but then I do cook every night as a rule. If someone is not a cook and eats out every night, I can certainly see where this might be a challenge/adjustment. The best part of all is that I have already shed eight pounds in the first week. To give a nod the the focus of the site: Pooping without difficulty and on a regualr basis.

to address the question-- i have IBS and recently went back on the SBD. i have noticed more stomach pains (esp. if you eat fake sugar like splenda) and i'm more constipated bc i eat less fiber. try fiber pills and you should be fine.

You have IBS and are on the SBD.... No, no. Not gonna go there...

_______
Born right the first time.