Hi guys
South Beach is great - effectively low GI, healthy fats - olive oil, avocado, nuts etc, healthy carbs - beans, wholemeal etc, lean low-fat proteins. I am going to use this for my maintenance - I feel personally it seems so much healthier than Atkins. My OH has been following this whilst I've been on W8 - and he's lost 2.5 stone since April (and has been drinking as normal - naughty boy - would probably lost more if he'd have cut out the cider!!!!)
The diet is in 3 phases - Phase 1: 2 weeks of very restricted carbs, no booze, no fruit. This phase is to break the carb addiction - but if you switch straight from SSing, you wont have a carb addiction!!!!
Phase 2 reintroduces some low gi fruit, good carbs - beans/pulses - this phase is to lose your weight.
Phase 3 is maintenance - and is in the main a low-gi plan, with some wholemeal breads and cereals in moderation, sweet potatoes instead of potatoes etc.
The book's really good - and explains all the principles really well. I've also got the South Beach Good carbs/Good fats Guide - which gives handy lists of food with their GI values and whether you should eat them freely, in moderation, occasionally, rarely or never!!!
The South Beach Diet Cookbook is great - lovely glossy full colour book - which I've cooked from even when I'm not on a diet!!!
There is a website
www.southbeachdiet.com and you can do it online - but think you have to pay. There is a free 7-day trial.
I sound like an advert don't I? Sorry - its just nobody seems to talk about South Beach much on here and its a great plan!! I have also found some nice Low-GI cookbooks recently, an Australian Women's Weekly "Low fat Low GI" on Amazon and in Sainsburys at mo for a fiver. Low GI food for friends by Almina Govindji - £4 on Amazon.
Good luck with whatever you decide - and if you go down this route I'll join you when i get to my maintenance - 8lbs away from initial target (though like you may try and lose another few pounds eventually!)
Carol x