December 14th, 2009 Our New Diet
Stephen and I have started on the South Beach Diet. We might as well diet now, or we’re going to “have” to diet later. Diabetes runs in Stephen’s family, although I seem to have more blood-sugar problems than he does.
We’re doing the South Beach Diet. I didn’t think it would be hard. I never thought of myself as eating “too much” carbs or sugars. I guess I was fooling myself. I’ve been having serious withdrawal symptoms. It’s been miserable.
If you don’t know about the South Beach Diet, the first 2 weeks are the hardest: no bread, no fruit, no pasta, of course nothing with sugar in it. Not even any potatoes, corn, or carrots.
I’ve been hard-pressed to just find something to eat around here. I never realized how much I depended on potatoes, rice, and other carbs as “sides” for meals. And breakfast…that was 99% carbs.
The South Beach diet is as much a life-style change as a diet. You really have to rethink the way you eat. I think it’s especially hard if you’re the “cook” in the family, because it means assembling a mostly-new repertoire of cuisine. Thankfully, there are lots of recipes online.
How do I feel after 3 1/2 days? Miserable sometimes: dizzy, sick, light-headed. At other times, great!
What do I eat? Lean beef & roast chicken so far. Salads with meat strips and different cheeses. Beans. Squash. Peas. Eggs. And a little bacon (no, it’s not on the list, but it’s filling and keeps me going.) Milk. Right now I’m baking some Flax Seed “bread” that I can’t wait to try. I’ve also tried some of the “desserts” ricotta cheese with sugar substitute, cocoa powder and almonds.
When I’m feeling really bad, I have a teaspoon of cream. It helps me get through the low spells.
