South beach diet

[mimik]

I think a few posts back someone mentioned they were on the south beach diet. i couldnt find it in the archives. What i am wondering is this diet safe while breastfeeding? i am due soon and want to start this diet. just wondering if anyone had info....thanks!!!

[cinnamonheart]

I think nanakay is on the diet right now, and Stacie (I THINK ) had been on the diet before she became pregnant.  I looked into it on line too but couldnt find exactly what the diet consisted of I do think there is a book out.  My probably is everything tastes soooooo good!!!

[blondie72]

It is just another "FAD" diet that in the long run probably will not work.  I am not here to offend anyone who is actually on it but I do not believe in these diets (which is probably why I am overweight).  I firmly believe you can eat ANYTHING you want you just have to do it in moderation and the most important thing is EXERCISE!!!!!!!  I remember 3 years ago I lost 20 lbs in 2 months.  I ate lazagna, Dairy Queen milkshakes, cookies (I did eat healthy things as well.  My point is I was still able to induldge and lose).  I danced around with a Richard Simmons DVD and I lost weight.  I measured out my food at dinner and did not eat as much as usual.  I did eventually hit that darn plateau and stopped losing and gave up.  What I am saying though is you can lose as long as you exercise.  Good Luck.

[Stacie30]

i was on south beach and found it pretty easy. i checked with my doctor before i did it and while he wasn't wild about the diet the first 2 weeks he said he highly recommended stages 2 and 3 of the diet. the first 2 weeks is pretty restrictive as far as what you can eat (mostly lean meats, eggs, low fat cheeses and green veggies) after that you can add in some fruits and whole grain breads and cereals then once you've lost all the weight you want you can add in there is no food list because the doctor who wrote it said you should have a pretty good idea of what to eat and how to eat in moderation. i know others think it is a fad diet, and if you can't stick with it then it would be. i think it wouldn't be too hard as a lifestyle (i follow the priniciples of it now- only i'm careful to make sure i eat enough "good" carbs since I am currently pregnant). i was on it prepregnancy so I don't know if its safe while breastfeeding or not, but i can't imagine it wouldn't be since it doesn't limit your amount of foods and still leaves you with a pretty balanced diet if you do it right.. to be extra cautious you might want to start with stage 2 of it

christie- if you're around... do you know about this diet and breastfeeding?

[Still_AndiJ]

I sound like a broken record in this, you cannot diet and breastfeed. That being said, if you can maintain a 2500 calorie a day diet, with a variety of foods and fat it is okay. You cannot restrict yourself on carbs, fruits, veggies, no-fat and such and provide nutritious breastmilk for baby.

Breastfeeding and pregnancy are not a time to diet (nor are they a time to overindulge) but you need to make sure your priority is providing enough nutrition to enable you and baby to thrive.

I would suggest waiting until after baby is weaned to try something like that. Baby needs carbs and South Beach is a modified version of Atkin's.

Andrea

[mimik]

Thanks for all of your comments.

Stacie- I talked to my DR. and thats exactly what he said. He said to start on phase 2, to learn how to eat healthier, and  at that phase you do not limit yourself good carbs. My family has done this diet and all had amazing outcomes. Dad lost 40 lbs. mom 20, brother 45 and sil 56 lbs!!!! Def ready to try it. Thanks again!!!

[Stacie30]

wow!! your sil lost 56lbs!!! that's awesome. I was on it for a short time (got pregnant 3 weeks into it) but wasn't really paying that much attention to weight loss (not that i don't need to lose any because boy do i... I was just trying to feel healthier and get my blood chemistry back in line so i could be healthier) I know I lost some, but my thought was how much better I felt on it. I had more energy after the first couple of days and i totally give South Beach credit for the baby I am carrying. I have PCOS with insulin resistance and had tried to conceive for 5 years (with one miscarriage 3 years into that)and got pregnant the first cycle on South Beach (south beach rids your body of insulin resistance in the first phase)and am now almost 21 weeks.

I wish you the best of luck with it. Let us know how much you lose. :o)

[Still_AndiJ]

Okay, Nanci, would you rather I say "don't cut calories and eliminate fat"? Is that easier to understand? The pettiness and picking is the worst thing about this place...

[cdw]

Last year I had done Weight Watchers to lose my baby weight while breast feeding. I lose 20# while on the program. It taught me how to eat healthier and in moderation. That was something I forgot after pregnancy. My Dr and Lacation consultant both approved the program. The only different is you get to add in what they call extra "points" if your breastfeeding. I did that, as my did my neighbor and we lost our weight safely. If you saw my baby who was exclusively breast feed for 6 months...she was chunky!! What I am saying as some posts mention, healthier eating in moderation along with exercise is good for you and baby if you have weight to lose. Sometimes we need guidelines to help us get on track and those guidelines can get you to eat healthier rather than binge eating or eating junk all day while breat feeding. Just be sure to let your Dr or lactation consultant know what your doing in case you need some help. Good luck!

[nanakay]

yes i am the one doing the south beach diet....and no you should shouldn't do the first stage, skip the first two weeks and just do the second stage.

not to start anything....but...anything you eat and way you eat is a "diet"  what you eat makes up your "diet"
i agree this is no time to 'try' and lose 30lbs in 1 month....but it is the perfect time to eat a healthy balanced 'diet'....your baby get's everything you do...so if you can start instilling a good nutritous diet before they actually eat food themself...then why not.  

and, at the second and third phase, between meals and snacks i think you are right about 2000 - 2500 cal a day anyway.
~nanci