I'm on day 3 of phase 1 and am having bad stomach cramps and diarrhea... sorry if that's too much information! Otherwise I feel fine - no nausea or fever - so I don't think it's a virus. Did anyone else experience this when starting South Beach? Or am I doing something wrong?

Heather, are you eating a lot of sugar free items? Dr. A says to stick to 75 calories from non-nutritive sweet treats because the sugar alcohols used in these can cause exactly the symptoms you are describing.

If you aren't overeating SF items, I would go see a doctor. Usually Phase 1 causes constipation. I've never heard of anyone complaining of diarrhea.

Take care of yourself, okay?

thanks for the quick reply, beachgal. the only sugar free item i'm eating is a SF jello pudding cup, one per day, that is 60 calories. but you're right, i do recall hearing that sugar alcohols can do this to people. maybe i'm just not used to it. do i have the willpower to only eat 1/2 of the pudding cup???

Could it be that you are eating more veggies than you are used to?

Hoosier, the SF Pudding isn't allowed on Phase 1. Just SF Jell-o and No Sugar Added Creamsicles, Popsicles, and Fudgesicles. There are starches in the pudding which will stall your weightloss. Consider tomorrow a start over and stay away from the pudding until Phase 2.

In the meantime, I'd go see a doctor, just to be sure, okay? And make sure you are drinking lots and lots of water to combat dehydration.

When I started SBD all the veggie gave me the runs and cramps. But, it does get better after the 1st week. Hang in there...

Yes, in the first few days I did have diarrhea...then that stopped real quick and went to the opposite end of the spectrum,

Hope you feel better!

I had the constipation thing myself. I did eat the pudding during phase 1, but I didn't realize that I wasn't supposed to. I still lost 14 pounds in the first two weeks. I am not a huge jello fan!

Thanks for the information. I'm glad to hear others had problems with this in the first week or so.

I can't bear to eat sugar-free jello, or any jello for that matter, and the ricotta cremes taste horrible to me as well! (The jello thing stems from a mixture I had to drink for a colonoscopy once... and all jello now reminds me of that stuff ) I'm going to lay off the sugar free pudding for a few days and see if that helps.

Thanks!

Hoosier, what about popsicles? The No Sugar Added Fudgesicles are amazing...as are the NSA Creamsicles.

I love the Peanut Butter Cup...a great Phase 1 dessert.