Question about low-carb dieting

[bren]

I did the south beach diet a few years ago and lost about 15 lbs. The first few days were really difficult because I LOVE sweets but it did get easier. Something to keep in mind--it's really easy to re-gain weight you lost when you start re-introducing carbs again. You have to play around with what good carbs you can eat without regaining the weight. I eventually stopped eating low carb because I didn't feel that I had enough energy. Now I just eat everything in moderation and exercise. I have to exercise at least 5 times a week because of my back issues but it all works out. I still eat sweets (in moderation, of course), I don't gain weight (b/c I'm exercising all of the time), and I have a TON of energy. After you reach your ideal weight I would suggest just eating healthy and exercising.I truly believe that exercise is so important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In my opinion, it's really difficult to maintain a low carb lifestyle for an extended period of time, unless you have REALLY good will power, which I don't Good luck!

[sims822257]

Originally Posted by mizzwanned

So no whole wheat bread?

Whole wheat is good as long as it is not enriched with other things which MOST whole wheat breads are. It is best to get Whole Grain - very similar to whole wheat but better for you as it is all whole grain!!

[sims822257]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

If you've ever looked into the South Beach Diet, it is the only the first two weeks carb-free - then the carbs you should be eating (whole grains and low-sugar fruits) get added back in.

It really should be called the White-free diet - no white flour or sugar.

Brown rice (which has all kinds of gourmet varieties that taste very yummy with a nutty flavor) is great and high in protein as well. Quinoa is another high protein good for you grain.

As for recipes - I love the mashes cauliflower (cook it really well and mash like you would mashed potatoes). Another "snack" recipe is to take recotta cheese and add cocoa powder. It is like chocolate pudding, but again high in protein. The South Beach Diet book really does have several fabulous recipes in it.

Well said Jodie .... Thats what I was trying to get at with my whole grain speech - ha, ha!!

[sims822257]

Originally Posted by Yorkieluv

Thanks for answering! I am majoring in human nutrition...That's why I asked what the South Beach Diet considers "good" carbs I have never actually read this diet.
Most definitely, anything enriched is not good, and you have to make sure that it says WHOLE.

Your welcome...I just learned this myself so it was enlightening to me to know the whole wheat was not so healthy after all!!

[sims822257]

Originally Posted by Boosted Panda

Low Carb diets are a terrible fad. I used to personal train and it makes no sense how people almost totally cut the carbs out. Yes you lose a ton of weight however, the lbs will pile back on very quick. Carbs are necessary for the body to use energy and keep muscle from going catabolistic and from fat developing. Remember if your body can't get the energy it needs it eats muscle and stores fat. Low carb diets are also bad for your heart.

I don't think she said she was cutting out Carbs completely just lowering them. Plus I really do think South Beach is more of a Life Style change so yes you will gain it all back if you start eating unhealthy food again. It is okay to eat Whole Grain (AKA: Good Carbs) on this diet just not till phase two and three.

[Yorkieluv]

I'm really glad to hear that this south beach diet does not cut carbs out completely and that you do get to eat the good carbs eventually, which actually everybody should switch to only whole grains, including pasta, rice, flour, etc.

[mizzwanned]

Originally Posted by sims822257

Whole wheat is good as long as it is not enriched with other things which MOST whole wheat breads are. It is best to get Whole Grain - very similar to whole wheat but better for you as it is all whole grain!!

Ohh i see, thanks!

[dcbroom]

When I was on South Beach Diet, I really liked this website....

http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com/

Really yummy recipes!

[parker]

Originally Posted by dcbroom

When I was on South Beach Diet, I really liked this website....

http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com/

Really yummy recipes!

Nice, thanks I am checking it out right now!

[sims822257]

Originally Posted by dcbroom

When I was on South Beach Diet, I really liked this website....

http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com/

Really yummy recipes!

WOW...great site...Thanks Shaneen!

[OLIVIA_KARHIS]

I am on it as well (trying to lose all my baby weight AND to get ready for the summer :P go to foodtv.com , there are some low carb recipes there.. also a recipes for mock mash taters (which is SOO good) also try atkins.com they have some good recipes as well


ALSO atkins websit tells you how much carbs are in EVERY THING. Veggies, milk, fruit ect.

[Shanatink]

Originally Posted by sims822257

Shana, first off congrats on the 35 pounds you have already lost - that is really great.

Secondly I am doing the South Beach diet too as remember you told me to low carb it to regulate my cycle. I have to say the first 2 weeks were BAD as I am a carb freak but now I am doing much better and actually getting used to the GOOD carbs they let you have.

I did not care to loose weight just try to reduce my sugar intake and regulate my cycle since I have PCOS but I have lost a little weight in the process which is great.

Any way....if you do the South Beach diet the 1st 2 weeks are tough in my opinion but hang in there because it gets easier.

Good luck girl!!

Im so glad you are giving it a try and I hope it helps!

Ive been on this diet for 10 days now and I havent weighed myself during this time yet(I broke my scale ) but I feel like Ive lost considerable weight.

And you are right, I already dont miss carbs as much and stuff like sugarfree drinks dont taste bad like that used too.

[Shanatink]

Originally Posted by Boosted Panda

Low Carb diets are a terrible fad. I used to personal train and it makes no sense how people almost totally cut the carbs out. Yes you lose a ton of weight however, the lbs will pile back on very quick. Carbs are necessary for the body to use energy and keep muscle from going catabolistic and from fat developing. Remember if your body can't get the energy it needs it eats muscle and stores fat. Low carb diets are also bad for your heart.

Isnt this why the south beach diet it better? I mean doctors actually recommend this kind of diet. You just cut out the bad carbs not carbs altogether

[Yorkieluv]

You are right Shana, if this diet (by diet, I don't mean lose weight diet, I mean lifestyle) basically just teaches you to eat good carbs, then that's a great thing! I think she thought, as I did, that this diet classifies carbs as evil. LOL

[Shanatink]

Originally Posted by Yorkieluv

You are right Shana, if this diet (by diet, I don't mean lose weight diet, I mean lifestyle) basically just teaches you to eat good carbs, then that's a great thing! I think she thought, as I did, that this diet classifies carbs as evil. LOL

I totally understand and I think that is how this will work for me ( I mean as a good lifestyle change). The type of carbs I was eating before were evil for sure, lol. I used to basically eat mostly junk food like chips, candy and TONS of starches like potatos and macaroni and I drank a TON of pepsi!! So I think this diet (or lifestyle change) will be good for me since Im eating a lot more green vegetables and meats that arent fried. I ate horrible before!