A year ago, I lost 15 pounds (got down to my target weight) and lowered my cholesterol 77 points eating pretty much the way South Beach recommends – no refined starches (bread and pasta must be whole grain), no (or almost no) sugar, and brown instead of white rice. Also, no full animal fats, “good” fats – like olive and canola oil. Low fat dairy.
I have always been against most “diet” plans, but I read an excerpt from the South Beach book, and found that it totally made sense, gave me a good explanation of what went on when I ate refined carbs, and gave me helpful lists of good foods to eat.
I learned about high and low GI foods, and I learned to stop eating potatoes (one of the biggest no-no’s on South Beach, very high GI (Glycemic index, causes blood sugar levels to rise rapidly.) Anyway, five pounds came off very quickly, I do not get hungry, and I have learned to eat very healthy foods. I did not do the Phase I 2 week induction, partly because I had little weight to lose, partly because I didn’t want to restrict myself that much. But the rest of the diet is really not that restrictive at all. What you are restricting is unhealthy food.
One “side effect” seems to be that my skin is clearer. My jaw line, which always broke out due to hormonal activity, is really clear. I think it’s partly due to eating low carb, and high GI foods (according to some nutritionists) can cause hormone-like breakouts. Also, this time when I lost weight, more came off of my stomach (yeay), whereas before when I lost weight, it would come off on “top.” Definitely a plus!
South Beach is basically good carb – good fat way of eating. Works for me, works for my neighbor (who just lost 15 pounds on SB after I showed her the book, and is also now at her target weight.) I’m very happy with it.
From Jeremy (Albany, NY)
