hello there,

I am new to the South Beach way of eating but not new to the forum. I have read the book, bought my groceries and I am ready to begin. My doctor recommended South Beach since my cholesteral went up this last visit and we are trying to get it down to normal.

Today was my first day and I'm doing a lot of the recipes out of the book. I did have the V 8 drink but I found it REALLY hard to get it down. Do you think if I had a different drink like 6 oz 1% milk would be ok? I don't drink coffee so that's not an option. I just don't know if I can drink the V8 every day and I really want this to work since I need to lose at least 60 more pounds.

Thanks!

i don't drink v8 ever...i usually scramble together veggies and eggs...never thought i'd like it but i do

Welcome to the beach! You never have to drink V8. I drink a glass of skim milk with my breakfast every morning (with a little sugarfree syrup mixed in for flavor). The V8 is good if you are not having vegetables with your breakfast. The recommendation (and I've been most successful when following it) is to get 1/2 cup of veggies with breakfast and 2 cups each with lunch and dinner. Eating lots of vegetables is the key to success on South Beach.

Welcome to Southbeach, Cheeseheader. The V8 was a bit tough for me to get used to as well. I've found that it's much easier to tolerate if it's ice cold and I drink it with a straw. The V8 is an easy way of getting your veggie servings for breakfast. Other options are some veggies in your eggs or a tofu scramble. Be creative. Maybe you could try a lunch type menu for breakfast.

to The Beach. Be sure to check out the stickies in the FAQ Section and join the others on the Phase I Thread.

Welcome cheeseheader! I like V8, but not for breakfast. You can also have tomato juice or the spicy V8. I'll usually have it for a snack or as a "bloody Mary" in the afternoon. But as the other chicks have said, if you don't like it, it's not required.

Thanks everyone! I don't mind eating veggies for breakfast so that will work for me! And yes, I did the ice and straw thing and still could barely get it down! I'll look at the stickies for other ideas. thanks again!

I put a little pepper in mine when I have it

Cheeseheader!

Okay, one more quick question. If you don't want to use the egg substitute, how many regular egg whites/yolks can you use? So if a recipe calls for 1/2 cup of egg substitute, do I use 2 egg whites and 1 yolk? I apologize if it's already been posted somewhere, I looked at the FAQ and didn't find it.. Thanks!

By the way, first day not bad, I found I needed to have more protein with lunch, so I added it in a little later as part of a snack. So far, not missing the bad carbs. we'll see what happens tomorrow!

You're doing great! I don't know about the egg question just wanted to say WTG! Keep it up!

I only use whole free range eggs, usually 1 with veggies & refried beans

i ue whole eggs but do know 1/2 cup egg beaters=2 whole eggs