I want to know if any one with a pouch has tried the South Beach Diet and if you did, did you start with phase 1??? I would like to lose some weight and I thought the South Beach would be a healthy way to lose but I have reservations. Would my pouch miss those starchy carbs?

I did the South Beach diet a few years ago and lost some weight (about 20 pounds) but then gained it all back. The main principle is you can eat fats but you must avoid carbs. Main thing I remember is eating a lot of ricotta cheese flavored with vanilla and nuts for dessert.

South Beach puts out some very good low carb, high protein cereal bars which I still eat as snacks. You can get these at your local supermarket. They are also now making lunch sandwiches which you can microwave. I get them occasionally.

Make sure you are taking a good chewable vitamin if you do this diet, and drink plenty of fluids.

Thanks, Husky. I am sure the basic diet is do-able but I wanted to do the phase 1 which is very similar to the Atkins with little to no carbs. The first 2 weeks on phase 1 would help with food cravings and I definitely get cravings for starchy carbs! Do you remember if you did the phase 1? And if you did how did your pouch react to the fats with no carbs to bulk up your bm??

I have tried some of their foods. I like the wrap chicken meals but I found the cereal bars went through me too fast. It's probably the artificial sweetners.

I see you are also from CT. Where abouts?

I have increased my veggie and protein and reduced my carbs and have had no problems. I have lost weight! I not following a diet, but making a lifestyle change. If I want pasta, I eat pasta, just a smaller portion with more veggies and meat!

Kwad Rider,

I did the phase 1 and yeah it was kind of hard as far as craving carbs. But I seem to recall not being hungry so much after a few days and drinking a lot of water. As far as my pouch, I was eating less so I was going a lot less, but I can eat everything to begin with. I did not have bulk problems but if you eat enough fiber which you can on the diet, it should not be a problem.

If you are really concerned about the lack of carbs why don't you skip phase 1 or do a modified version of it? If you are exercising it off, it may not make a difference. Like Anniki said it's really all about eating less carbs.

Yeah I live in CT too, New Haven area.

I also tried the South Beach a few yrs back and it worked well especially if you exercise with it. Just the diet alone will get you so far. My pouch was not affected since I can tolerate pretty much any foods. Know that some will bother you, but sometimes it takes your body getting used to it. You'll know. Also, you are definitely hungry the first week...Overall I thought it was a great diet and I stuck with it for a while...lost 15 lbs and have kept them off ever since (I'm actually back to my pre-kids weight @ 35 and loving it!!!).

Now I pretty much eat what I want in moderation and exercise.

Good luck with it : ) Susan