GiggleGoddess, (and other SBD starters) it isn't that apple juice (or any fruit juice/concentrate) has HFCS. Juices have very concentrated sugars. It takes 2 or a 3 oranges to make a glass of juice. Some fruits are higher in sugar; pineapple, dates, figs, and watermelon. That's why fruit juices and certain fruits aren't on the P1 or P2 list. We're eating/drinking lower glycemic.

The carb cravings start to fade after day 3 of P1 for me, typically.... although getting through day 3 is an all out war between the good angel on my shoulder who shouts encouragement and the bad devil who shouts "you'll die without that cupcake!!!!"...

P1 is hard. And then you slowly add in good carbs... and when you get to day 1 of P2, you'll truly appreciate the apple you'll eat, and you'll look at that cupcake and see that there's no comparison, the apple wins.

If that doesn't work, tell the devil "shut up" and tell the cupcake "no, I don't need you to live".

Yes. I have been known to shout at pastries in the office...

LOL...I think I might be in love with you uscarchie --

Once on Atkins I actually chewed tootsie rolls and spit them out because I thought I might die without them

Oh my goodness. I've done this. I've waged a war w/ whatever deliciousness someone brought to work. Eat it, don't eat it, eat it. Then I will take a bite and be like "noooo!!!!" and then spit it out. It is like my hands just pick up the food and place it in my mouth! That's why I am doing the SBD to phase out the out of body cravings.

I did South Beach at the beginning of last semester and was thrilled with the results. Then things got busy and chaotic towards the end of the semester and I went home to my family for the holidays (and the associated family dinners) and gained most of it back. So I'm starting over :]

But yes, it was really easy for me to follow as well and that was something that surprised me. The first few days were difficult as far as cravings go (I don't think I've ever wanted a baguette as badly in my entire life...) but once things stabilize after a couple days it was pretty smooth sailing. I was able to look at foods I would previously scarf down and say "Eh...I don't think so." and move on, which was great.

Right now I'm trying a kind of modified South Beach/raw foods combo. I want to stabilize my insulin levels and kick those cravings while increasing the number of raw, plant-based foods in my diet. I don't eat as much meat as South Beach recommends, but I get my protein from other sources (nuts, milk + protein powder, and tofu). If anyone has any suggestions or notices something I could improve on I would love to hear it :]