South Beach Blues

[muckefuck]

Following monshu's recent checkup (wow, I didn't know human blood pressure readings went up that high!), we have become the latest bears to adopt the South Beach diet--or we will, starting next week; I think this is going to be Binge Week until we get rid of all the nasty things lurking in his larder. He was telling me that I don't have to eat as many twigs and nettles as he does, but frankly I need the external pressure to change my diet.

I think the biggest bummer will be cutting down on the East Asian food, with its high sodium and hidden sugars. Any suggestions for tasty, heart-healthy substitutes will be much appreciated!

Comments

[prilicla.livejournal.com]

Actually, when I was diagnosed with diabetes last year, the dietitian I saw recommended a diet a lot like the one sirhc_warrior is describing, rather than a low-carb diet like Atkins or South Beach. I usually eat about 45-60 grams of carbohydrate at every meal and 15-30 grams at each of my two snacks, which is definitely not low-carb. (I think Agatston recommends eating < 60 grams per day even in the maintenance phase.) Middle-of-the-road diets like the one I'm on don't work for all diabetics, but I'm really grateful that it's worked for me so far. I'm pretty sure I'd have a hard time staying on a low-carb diet for more than a few months, though I know they've worked for a lot of people.

Good luck to you and monshu. Let us know how it goes.

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

I don't think of South Beach as a low-carb diet, rather a "good carb" diet. Perhaps some people are misled by the phased approach: You start out by drastically elminating carbs and then, once you've lost your taste for the worst ones, you gradually introduce them back in. rootbeer1 describe it in a nutshell as "High fibre, low sugar": Eat what you want, but make it whole grains and fresh vegetables rather than sweets and processed foods.