South Beach Diet - Questions . . .

What does "DH" "OP" and "DF" mean? (Still learning MB shorthand.)

Do you try hard to stay away from caffeine? I'm planning on trying to cut down, but I know if I go cold turkey, I'll get MONSTER headache. I need to wean several things out of my diet:

1. Sugar (so far, so good)
2. White flour (ditto)
3. Aspartame ("Equal")
4. Caffeine

I figure that's a good order to go in to eliminate stuff. :idea:

Thanks!

Tricia

Hi Tricia,
DH=dear husband, DF=dear friend, DS=dear son, etc.
OP=on program or plan
WOE=way of eating
WOL=way of life

I keep the caffeine down to 2-3 cups of coffee a day and a few diet cokes (2-3) a week. I need my caffeine.

I do use sugar substitutes such as splenda and aspartame but we are supposed to keep those foods to 75 cals a day.

I tried eliminating caffeine and was NOT happy. Headaches, plus I was depriving myself of something I really enjoy (Diet Coke) that isn't the worst thing I could do. So, after the third or fourth day, I went back to Diet Coke and now that I am at the end of the first week of Phase 1, I've lost 10 lbs, so I haven't seen the negative effects. (I've read a couple of things stating that while caffeine can influence insulin production and your metabolism, the results are negligable at most.)

Splenda and Equal have 0 calories, I believe, so I think you are okay with them in iced tea (I did find decaf iced tea to be a help).

I got rid of ALL sugar and white flour and rice, etc, as well as all forms of alcohol. I feel a few Diet Cokes a day isn't going to kill me, and will go a long way towards keeping me sane. It may not be optimal, but I really don't think it is going to completely derail you, either--maybe just try to balance the consumption by keeping up with your water drinking, as well. (IE, don't let the coffee or diet soda or whatever become a replacement for the water.)

Thanks so much! Great ideas. I agree, artificial sweeteners may not be optimal, but there are worse things to ingest!

Tricia

Besides isn't the purpose of this diet to not be deprived?? That's what usually sets me up for a food binge. JUlie