Hi Ladies,

I have been hearing stories about the SBD.

I know that it's three phases. I think I get the general concept. If I wanted to start it, how do I begin. I was on the "official" SBD site, but i don't want to sign up and pay money.

How would I start? I'm not even sure I want to do it yet, but there's so much info out there but I thought I would ask my girls on here!

When I showed up here asking similar questions, they said, "Get the book! Read it!"

I borrowed a copy, I'll bet you could easily find one. But, I did it for awhile before I was able to find a copy to borrow.

Read the stickys and that should help you a lot.

South Beach focuses on good carbs - and is not necessarily a "low carb" diet.

The diet is supposed to be good for people with insulin resistance and/or PCOS.

The basic methodology of the diet is to eliminate carb/sugar addiction. You do this by ridding the body of bad carbs and sugar. The first two weeks, you aren't allowed any sugar, HFCS, potatoes, alcohol, corn, carrots, beets, white flour, fruit, or rice. When you progress into phase two, you will start reintroducing good carbs slowly. My first week, I was eating foods like bison burgers, chicken cheesesteak saute, stuffed peppers, and parmesan crusted tilapia. Now does that sound like diet food? I've found a wealth of good recipes on this board, and some on the internet. Some i've created myself.

I like this diet because I'm not hungry, and I think that I can live with the changes I've made for the rest of my life.

Read the book, though. It will do a better job of explaining the methodology than I did. I got mine on amazon, barely used, for two dollars. You might be able to check it out at the library for free.

I agree with Melanie- The book explained so much more to me that anything else, There are alot of good atricles on this site though, in the questions thread and it explains the stage one foods and concepts, I am loving it so far and I can see how this could be the way of eating that will get me to my goals, healthwise and weightwise, if you decide to do this, there is alot of support here for you and I am sure you will have more help that you could ask for

You can pick up a copy of the book at your libarary. When I was starting I took out the book and a couple of cookbooks form the library and bought an audiobook from Amazon. I listen to a lot of Audio books when I drive back and forth to work. After reading & listening I bought a hard copy because I realized there was so much good info on basic nutrition in it that it would become a well used reference book.

You can get the basic guidelines from here on the 3 Phases and what and when to eat BUT what you learn from the book of importance is how the various foods breakdown in your blood stream and affect you and your cravings. This is why you really need a copy of the book. I like some of the cookbooks but I don't like all of them so check them out at the library and decide which, if any, you would use. Once you get started you will start converting in your head every recipe you see to make it SBD friendly.

It has been such an education. When I was a child I can remember on Easter and Christmas I would eat to many goodies and wreck my appetite then I would start craving "real food". I'm back to that spot in my life, if I have a weekend where I've eaten off plan for a day or so I will start wanting a real meal of veggies and protein. When that happened I realized I had made a healthy lifestyle change, finally I'm winning this battle.

ok, I'll let you in on a little secret - one that you will probably all hang me for - I haven't read the book...I've skimmed the SBD Supercharged book. I got the general information about the program from one of the cookbooks that I picked up at a library sale and got the rest of my information perusing the stickies in the FAQ section. The girls here are very well informed and any question that I ever had was answered immediately.

*prepares to be hit with sbd friendly food*

Zeff, knowledge is power! READ THE BOOK GF!

But each and every single one of you has so much more knowledge....and I do do a lot of personal research...

ok, I'm making excuses.

Before the baby is born, I'll read the book.

can we archive that quote: Before the baby is born I'll read the book!"

It's good carbs and good fats, stay away from processed foods, white flour, white potatoes,

I didn't read the book until I'd been on the beach for several months. But I had already read books on the glycemic index so I was familiar with the concept. I was on the waiting list at the library. At the time I was #512 on the list, needless to say it was several months before it got to me. My sister finally got tired of me waiting and bought me the book and then 2 weeks letter I got the message I could pick up a copy from the library.

There is a lot of information on the various lists and the Prevention site had a ton of articles for awhile, I don't think they do now.

So take it slow, print out the foods to enjoy list and make up some menus that you can live with.

Sarah in MD

i think the book is a good idea but the faq and stickies are most helpful too


the first two weeks are 'detox and are very limited carbs in that you get all your carbs from veggies beans and dairy....

in phase 2 you slowly add back starchy veggies and good grains and fruit.

it's a very powerful plan in that it puts you very much in control and it really helps the hunger.