I generally think of myself as following something of a mediterranean style diet and whole foods. I've drastically reduced sugar - a 1/4 tsp in my chai tea, none in my coffee, dark chocolate a couple times a week (~1/2oz), dessert about once a weekand that with less than normal sugar, unless someone else made it, and then I just have a very small portion. Almost only whole grains, and only 2-3 servings per day. Lots of produce, lots of beans, probably not as much meat as typical, but more than I'm used to. I don't really crave too much (except when it's in front of me
), and I'm really pleased with how much less sugar I enjoy.
I keep thinking about doing Phase 1 to see how much more impact it might have on my appetite and taste for sugar & carbs. What kills me is the constant use of sweeteners (I'm having very little of those and will not start again) and I hate reduced fat cheeses. I've tried and they aren't worth the fat that is still in them. I'm not eating lots of cheese for snacks, just putting some on minestrone, chili, etc. I'm also using 2% milk and Greek yogurt, again for the taste. Portions are not large so I'm still low fat overall, and low saturated fat.
So is anyone doing Phase 2 with just real sugar but very little, and full fat cheeses and 2% milk/yogurt? And especially have they gone through Phase 1 that way? I realize it bugs people when you say you're doing some particular diet but you're not really. And I know I can just modify it myself if I feel like it. But I was hoping for feedback based on experience. The idea of doing a couple weeks with extra low carbs won't leave me alone, and South Beach seems reasonable & enjoyable to me, where Atkins doesn't. But I don't know if I should just forget about South Beach if the sweeteners and lowfat cheese / 1% milk are no-go for me.