Questions, questions (all great by the way, I personally wished I had asked them myself!!)...I'm adding in my recommendations for you as well.... I'm sure the other ladies will have more to add or might feel differently
- I personally have done phase one and two for a time, phase one is hard and detoxing personally...and I wasn't pregnant! :P Being pregnant I'd start with phase two which does allow some carbohydrates (the good kind, like whole grains and low GI fruit). I'm returning to phase one tomorrow to redetox from all the crap I've been eating before continuing on the phase two.
-I got started when I saw a blogger/vlogger whose life was similar to mind had started it. Originally I bought the book, than lost it in the move, than library than bought it again...to lose it again...and then bought it again....see a reoccurring theme with me and books? (Also. I recommend the supercharged for the editted/extended food list ;D) The online guide here is VERY comprehensive when it comes to the food guide/list (in fact I'm 99.9% sure it has everything in the books verbatim?), but, I'd recommend getting an actual copy (at least to read over once) to get the gist of the diet and why things aren't allowed ect. There are also some online guides on the FAQ portion of this sub forum..thing..to help get you started.
- To be honest, I gained back a lot of what I lose using south beach due to bad decisions over the past couple months (though, I only did follow it for a couple months :P). However, my mentality has changed about carbohydrates 100% and I can't even finish a whole bowl of pasta anymore without feeling..off.
HTH to give you some answers and ideas.
Also one BIG thing about the diet is no refined sugar or white carbohydrates. Just something to consider