Calling All Successful South Beachers - Do you Follow the Low Fat Guidelines?
I am starting SB today, and wondering how many of you "tweak" the low fat guidelines. For example, I have some full fat cheeses in my fridge that I want to use up, and also some Hebrew National Franks in the freezer that have no starch fillers, but are definitely high fat!
How many of you just ignore the low fat guidelines and still lose weight, or perhaps just user higher fat dairy/meat on occasions when there's nothing else? I am just curious, before I dive into the program!
Successful South Beachers, does eating higher fat products really hinder your weight loss?
Higher fat means more calories and will hinder weightloss. South Beach aims to cut the amount of saturated fat and full fat cheese and weiners are culprits.
I'm sure the other chicks will have differing opinions.
I have the SB book; it is wonderful and I do realize the emphasis is on limiting saturated fat.
However, I heave heard rumors of SBers losing while still using high fat products like dairy and higher fat cuts of meat, dark meat chicken which is not allowed, etc. I'm wondering if those "rumors" are true!
Gosh I hate to get rid of my full fat cheese and weiners but I'm thinking this will be my game plan: At home, where I have full control of my eating, I will follow the SB guidelines on lower fat food, but eating out on the road, for example, it's imossible to order an omelet not cooked in butter, with low fat cheese instead of regular. So eating out I won't obsess over the fats, while still sticking to the basic SB guidelines, otherwise. Does any one else do this?
Any input would be very welcome. This is my first day and I'm excited to be part of this forum and finally doing something about my weight.
I think there are 2 keys when dealing with higher-fat foods
1) have them in moderation...meaning a single serving or less
2) don't use them all the time. I'd say once a week at most, but less often (perhaps once a month) is oh, so much better.
SBD is all about changing the way you think about food. When you say to yourself, "oh, a little of this and a little of that won't hurt," you're defeating your whole purpose. Those "little bits" add up a lot more quickly than we sometimes realize.
The good news is most cheese freezes. Better yet, you could give it to someone else or use it in a recipe you hate and take it to work/school/the next pot luck. In other words, get it out...and the sooner the better.
I am going by the book, no more excuses or looking for ways to make the program "better." If I start doing this, it probably won't work for me, and it's not really South Beach to start eating fatty foods. Dr. Agatston states in his book the program is low saturated fat. He's a cardiologist and knows what he's talking about!
I'll only eat higher fat stuff when I'm stuck in a situation where I really have to.
Thanks. I think I needed that push! I'm giving away the cheese and wieners.
I'm glad you decided to give away the cheese and wieners. So much of this journey is mental as well as following the plan. By giving away the high fat products, you are mentally preparing yourself to do this. Good job!
Brnagain! I'm so glad you decided to do away with those high fat foods! The whole point of the SouthBeach Diet is to start eating healthy, wholesome lowfat foods, and I think when we start "tweaking" it, we start to lose our focus. I hope you'll join us in our daily chats and let us know how you are doing.
Giving the food away is what I would have recommended so Way to Go! As far as eating out, there are places such as Cracker Barrel where you can get a healthy breakfast. I rarely eat out but that is one that I have heard mentioned many times.
It worked best for me to avoid eating out as much as possible until I was well established and could choose the foods that would be on plan (or could be made on plan). And don't be afraid to ask them to leave stuff off or put it on the side. I order a shrimp tortilla soup at this one seafood restaurant that is just heavenly. I have them leave off the tortillas and I get the cheese on the side and just use a tiny bit of it.
I am not such a stickler on the fat thing and here is why...
When I started phase 1 I used up all my cheese in the fridge because it was way better than the other things that I had been eating before. It doesn't take long at all to use it up. I now buy 2% cheese because I hate most low fat versions and would never eat fat free! Blech
Hebrew National hotdogs may be high in fat, but for an every now and then thing I believe they are fine. In my opinion, they are the best hotdog on the market because they have no fillers, no organ meats, and no nitrites. They are kosher and that means that even God would eat them
I also ate regular bacon on phase 1.
Success??? I lost 14 pounds on phase 1!
I am not, at all, trying to take away from the advice to stay away from high fats, but just don't obsess about it. For that matter, don't obsess over anything.
The thing I like about SBD is that you are working towards a healthier you without sacrificing flavor or your sanity. Enjoy adjusting to this new and healthy way of eating and slowly phase out the higher fat foods. I can tell you that in 5 weeks my tastes have changed and I actually crave healthier foods.
I actually agree with Sunny. Eventually, you will use up those higher fat cheeses and replace them with healthier ones. I think that if those hot dogs are in the freezer you can wait until phase 2 to have them in moderation. Personally, I usually buy 2% cheeses, I also hate the FF stuff. Sometimes though it's difficult to find or the stores run out. In this instance I buy the full fat. However, since it is suppose to be treated like a protein I use it in my salads without any other proteins to cut total fat intake.
This diet is about a healthy lifestyle. A lot of people who fail tend to obsess over what they are eating and how much and eventually, they quit.
Of course, I'm not saying have a ribeye tonight for dinner cooked in whole butter. Use moderation and try not to obsess over it.
It is very possible to order an omelette without being cooked in loads of butter, especially if you choose a restaurant like a deli, or at least not a big chain restaurant. I have requested that I have an egg white omlette cooked in butter spray and gotten it every time I have asked. I know they did it correctly because the outside of the omlette always looks dry. I also ask for 1/2 the cheese and veggies (usually spinach). Try it. Also have asked for light cream cheese and gotten it.
I'm late here but no I don't eat high fat cheese or meat. we use 97% fat free hebrew national hot dogs for DH... i try to avoid fat as much as possible
What nice responses! I'm so glad I joined this board. Thank you so much everyone for all your replies.
I do have a tendency to obsess over what I eat. Thank you for reminding me that's almost a set-up for failure. I'll just do the best I can.
But I can't tell you what a relief it is not counting calories, points, carbohydrates, measuring or weighing (except for nuts and I won't go over two cups milk a day in Phase 1).
This way of eating is such a blessing. I am buying all of the South Beach books! I did buy the 3 fat chicks book, and it has an absolutely wonderful chapter on the South Beach diet, with nice recipes.
Calling All Successful South Beachers - Do you Follow the Low Fat Guidelines?
to The Beach! 
Better yet, you could give it to someone else or use it in a recipe you hate and take it to work/school/the next pot luck. In other words, get it out...and the sooner the better.
Brnagain! I'm so glad you decided to do away with those high fat foods! 
