Southbeach Vs. Atkins

Nurses General Nursing

Published

  • Specializes in ER, ICU, Nursing Education, LTC, and HHC.

Ok, I am seeking opinions from others who have information regarding the pros and cons of these two types of diets. They seem so similar. Any advice or comments??

MiaLyse, APRN

855 Posts

Specializes in Psychiatry.

They seem so similar>>

They are similar. IMO, anyone can start Atkins and tailor this way of eating into what works for them. Kind of what the south beach diet did.

We eat low carb here and have been for a couple years. Feel much better all around. hth's

Kelly

dragonfly954

121 Posts

Alll I can say is make sure that you check with your MD if you have any major health problems before starting either diet,especially kidney problems.I will be paying for this forever because I didn't heed the warning.Theses diets are not for everyone!:p

ColleenRN

3 Posts

It seems like everyone at work is on Atkins! A good friend of mine lost 30lbs in 3 months...another lost 15lbs in 6 weeks. The diet works. They are both slowly bringing carbs back into there diets and are also slowly gaining weight. I think it is a quick fix, not a long term solution (but I'm going to try it anyway!)

MiaLyse, APRN

855 Posts

Specializes in Psychiatry.

They are both slowly bringing carbs back into there diets and are also slowly gaining weight.>>

They shouldn't gain weight if they bring the healthy carbs back and add exercise to their diet. There are * good carbs and *bad carbs.

Kelly

Tweety, BSN, RN

34,248 Posts

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

The main difference is that South Beach is lower fat, and higher in whole grains, and allows for more fruits and vegetables. I've looked into both, and it is my opinion that for the long term South Beach is healthier. I've modeled my current way of eating around the SBD.

The two week induction period is very similar, in that they both severely restrict carbs.

MiaLyse, APRN

855 Posts

Specializes in Psychiatry.

and allows for more fruits and vegetables>>

I believe this is one of many misconceptions about Atkins. I started with atkins as a basis to get started. Now I don't *call it anything but eating low carb and it's tailored to me. My diet always included vegetables and fruit and I never read the South Beach Diet. I'm also not one to eat alot of fat. But, found I wasn't eating enough. I grew up in the low fat era.

Kelly

Tweety, BSN, RN

34,248 Posts

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
Originally posted by KellyMarie37

and allows for more fruits and vegetables>>

I believe this is one of many misconceptions about Atkins. I started with atkins as a basis to get started. Now I don't *call it anything but eating low carb and it's tailored to me. My diet always included vegetables and fruit and I never read the South Beach Diet. I'm also not one to eat alot of fat. But, found I wasn't eating enough. I grew up in the low fat era.

Kelly

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that Adkins doesn't allow fruits and vegetables. Just that SBD seems to allow for more variety. Adkins does allow for fruits, vegetables and carbs.

I know what you mean about the low fat craze. I was very fat phobic once. Now I enjoy the right kinds of fats found in olive oil, nuts, avacodo, canola oil, etc.

Katnip, RN

2,904 Posts

I've looked at them both pretty closely. Atkins is a proponent of much higher fats...bacon, lunch meats, frying things in butter. South Beach pushes for more higher quality protien, less fat. And does have a larger variety of fruits and vegetables. Both I think advise whole grains over refined.

Monica RN,BSN

603 Posts

Specializes in ER, ICU, Nursing Education, LTC, and HHC.

This months issue of prevention is all about southbeach, I also have the Atkins for life book, and know I can make a good comparison of both.

Southbeach seems to offer a better variety of allowed choices, but seem very much like Atkins.:)

LisaRN2B

366 Posts

Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that Adkins doesn't allow fruits and vegetables. Just that SBD seems to allow for more variety. Adkins does allow for fruits, vegetables and carbs.

I know what you mean about the low fat craze. I was very fat phobic once. Now I enjoy the right kinds of fats found in olive oil, nuts, avacodo, canola oil, etc.

Ditto to this for me!

The difference between the fat and carbs in Atkins and SBD are that SBD only allows "good" fats (unsaturated, thus the lean meats unlike Atkins) and "good" carbs (high fiber, low glycemic index).

The two aren't so similar to me. I feel much better doing the SBD than Atkins. I got a lot of migraines on Atkins, I don't on SBD. :confused: I also couldn't stomach looking at another piece of bacon after two weeks on Atkins. Like I've said before, for those who can tolerate it, fine, more power to ya! I couldn't eat that way forever, even with adding fruits and more veggies. I feel like I could do SBD forever, and I plan on it! ;)

SnowymtnRN

452 Posts

I agree that the friends who've lost weight and are gaining it back aren't doing something right. My DH and i have been doing low carb/Atkins style for a while now, and i'm pregnant so i'm just kinda watching what i eat. But the premise foe EITHER diet is its not a diet of the week, its a lifestyle change. Nobody needs the amount of carbs we all eat, that's what got us here to begin with. Not to mention, honestly i feel SO much better not eating pasta, rice, and certain veggies. No more headaches, no more diarrhea, no more mucous problems. Now my Dh has stopped snoring cuz he cut carbs out so he has less of a mucous production.

You have to figure out which one works for you, and continue it even after you reach your goal weight.

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