The South Beach diet is also a fairly strict low carb program (during the first phase).....though perhaps not quite as strict as the Atkins program.
...But i also believe that the South Beach plan is too strict (limits carbs too much) to be practical for everyday dieters -- and it has the potential to sap your energy during phase 1 with the severely reduced carbs.
For example, I've observed that the higher carb foods (on the South Beach menu) are severely limited in portions during the first phase of the diet -- and this prevents a normal amount of carbs from being eaten during the first phase.
In fact, the only foods which dieters are allowed to eat in "unlimited portions" (during phase 1) are protein foods and super-low-calorie vegetables.
For example, the South Beach menu allows unlimited lettuce during phase 1 --- but yet it limits the portions of "tomatoes" and "onions" and "peanuts".
Additionally, the "sweet snacks" which are allowed on the South Beach menu are limited to a mere 75 calories per day during phase 1.
So even though the South Beach plan allows so-called "sweet snacks" -- they are severely limited to just 75 calories per day........and that's less calories than a typical cookie contains.
William
