luv2eat2's Journal, 30 September 2008

25NC on sb is going to be very difficult...i would recommend making sure that you get the healthiest carbs possible...it might be a little repitive for the length of this challenge...it is doable...not recommended...sorry 

Yea, I am thinking it will be hard, too, but I did not really know a number to shoot for, so I figured I could start there and adjust next week. What is a more realistic goal? 

Sara's advice to me was to take a good week and average the days then drop it by 10-15 NC. So for me that turned out to be 175 I am likely goign to drop it to 150 because 175 is too easy (at least so far) so 25 might be too few. 

Are you on SB or Atkins? South Beach those veggies should be free and I lived on veggies and fish my first 6 weeks or so on SB, when I lost like 30 pounds in 2 months. I could offer bits of help if you're on SB, but I'm not too keen on counting healthy veggies so sorry. Your profile shows you as a South Beacher though, might want to update that. Just find a plan that you can live the rest of your life with and I have no doubt you'll do great things here. Go get 'em! 

i personally declined the challenge because of the differences between the two plans...imluuvd is correct...veggies should not be counted...good luck  

Too me the whole point is to limit carbs. You still have to watch the tenents of your own plan. For me that means some where in the vicinity of 150 to 175 because of the "free veggies" you cannot throw out the plan just by trying to drop some of your carbs. Even in SB it mentions Net carbs and the fact that you subtract fiber and sugar alcohols from the total carbs and that is WHY a lot of the good veggies are free. I think luv2eat is fine in the challnege they just need to not dip nearly so low in their carb count.... 

I guess I never realized there was such a difference in the two diets when it comes to counting carbs. I do know that I like the idea of healthier fats in SB. I started out years ago with Atkins but switched to SB because it just seemed overall healthier to me and more in tuned with how I eat. Even if I set my goal higher than the Atkins crew, the goal is to stay within that amount, whatever it is. So, I think I will do as Simavision suggested and go the week and do an average for next week. Thanks for all the thoughts, I love/need the help. 

I think if you remember to chose the healthier fats youd be fine. There are big similarities and big differences between the two plans. I say if you eat right, watch your fat and your bad carbs, you'll be fine regardless. I'm just one of those people that doesn't like having to count anything. lol Makes me feel like it's work and I do enough of that at work. lol Youre doing great though and just keep asking, you'll figure it out. Eat smart and you'll probably be eating within the guidelines of several plans! :-) 

This issue about how many carbs is right has been going around this site since I first joined. It really does depend upon the diet you are on. I read both South Beach books and because I saw this post, I got out my South Beach Diet Super Charged book and looked up every page that talks about carbs. SOuth beach diet is all about good carbs vs. bad carbs.. there is no limit on good carbs but there is minimum daily requirement of vegetables, and the only caution is to watch the glycemic index of the vegetables..that is why sweet potatoes are allowed but not white potatoes. There is absolutely no mention at all of NET carbs in South Beach..that is an ATKINS diet thing. I did Atkins once upon a time too and they deal with NET carbs. South beach is just good vs. bad. My own personal opinion is that none of us here trying to lose weight got here because we ate too much spinach or broccoli. I will add, that carbs are confusing, they still confuse me and I constantly have too look up the glycemic index when Im shopping. Soooo if your on South Beach, low glycemic veggies are good carbs and you can eat just about as much as you want. I would suggest that if anyone is going to stay on a particular diet for very long, they check with their doctor first and possibly buy the book so you know what your diet really is about.  

thanks j...i did not have my books here at work to verify what i was thinking... 

I HAVE several of SB the books it has been several years since I read them but I know I read in there some where about the fiber thing and net carbs. There is no listed recomened carb intake that is true. I will have to get my books out again and read them so I can find what I am referring to since I have never read Atkins..... 

(BTW that sound harsh and combative and that is not my intent, it's just driving me nuts because I read the original book thoroughly as well as the recipe book and the supplement) 

I am pretty sure without looking at the original South Beach book that there is no mention of net carbs or counting carbs at all. It was still about good vs. bad carbs. There are so many people here on different diets, so many different websites and so much confusion over carbs that its easy to get confussed. I have had to re-read parts of my books over and over because I get confused all the time. 

Not counting carbs specifically, no you are right that is not in there. But when he is advising about reading labels for carb content knowledge I remember you can subtract dietry fiber. He NEVER goes into numbers that is part of the beauty of the plan and why I was attracted to it in the first place. So we agree there. I just remember that protein and dietary fiber help slow the sugar absorbtion down and could have SWORN he mentioned that you can subtract the fiber. But I will check (I am at work now and cannot as it is at home). Personally I am kinda doing my own thing but I am VERY attached to SB and still use his ideas as my guiding star. 

i just posted the sb diet from the sb web site...have a look at it...thanks,  

I deleted a few posts because they were unproductive and I am probably just clouding the issue....my apologies! Luv, I would definitely read the original materials for yourself so you can understand them better! :) 

Im sending you a link to a great website for South Beach. It's the next best thing without having a book in hand. 

Simavision, you are right, the book does talk about fiber and it does talk about slowing the sugar absorbion down!! Thats part of why they suggest using the low glycemic food too, to keep that insulin response lower and lasting longer. My hubby WAS diabetic type 2.. off after being on SB diet for 8 months so insulin response struck a note with me right away. OH OH!! Something in the new Super Charged book that grabbed my attention concerning insulin responses was a new change.. DO NOT EAT FRUIT AT BREAKFAST!! and always eat it with protein, like an apple with peanut butter, or fruit with a low fat cheese stick or with your lunch or meal. The reason the books says not eat it with breakfast or by itself is it creates a "spike" in your blood sugar/insulin response. The first darn thing I did when Igot off phase one was add grapefruit to my breakfast! I had no idea until 2nd book that it was a mistake. Evidently not critical because there's been lots of success on book one. Guess book 2 just found more issues to "tweak". 

Wow, thanks to everyone for the responses. While their may be confusion over the importance of counting those carbs, it sounds like all are in agreement about making the carbs I do consume healthy ones. My plan is to not worry too much about the numbers, although keep track this week, eat a healthy phase 2 SB diet, and go for a number around there for the challenge. Funny, I ate an apple last night at my son's open house. I knew about eating them later in the day, but forgot about the protein part. Anyway, Dr. Atkins would not have been happy about my almost 16 carbs, but I agree too much about the healthiness of fruit in my diet (and love apples especially in the fall) that it was worth the carbs. 

fall apples are the best...hard crunchie and hard...sweet and sour...wow...i want one now...