[mihri]

Originally Posted by severina

I think a lot of people think the South Beach is a low carb diet. I think if you follow the book, it really isn't. Of course, I don't know the situation with your mother-in-law. But, I am eating carbs, lots of them! I'm just being very careful about what type I'm eating.

For example, I think Atkins limits even veggies? I'm doing four cups a day minimum of veggies, plus two servings a day of whole grains (whole wheat english muffins, whole wheat pasta, barley, brown rice, stuff like that), and two servings a day of fruit.

Another difference is I think Atkins allows any protein source? I'm eating only low fat protein sources like fish, chicken, or legumes. I'm also eating reduced fat cheese. I know a lot of people hate it. I wouldn't eat it alone or on a cracker, but I find it perfectly good in recipes.

As I read the book, this is just sensible eating. If you try to leave out the massive quantities of vegetables, however, then it starts to look more similar to Atkins.

Precisely. My hubby did Atkins for a while after his mom found success (and then liver problems) on it. I tried to go with him but found it too limiting and also found that I had zero concentration anymore. Read up on it and saw that your brain needs carbs to function efficiently. Anyhow, when the hubby and I both wanted to lose weight, I researched South Beach since *I* wasn't about to go Atkins and I didn't really want him to either. It's a much more sensible plan. Atkins is so high fat and low carb.... South Beach is low fat and smart carbs. So far I like it.