Awhile back my mom was telling me about this article she had saved called Which Diet is Best For You? She read me some of it over the phone, and I found it intriguing. See, we all have a tendency to assume that because something is working for us, it is therefore the best thing for everyone. Or maybe it’s just me that does that? 
I know I think South Beach is the bomb-diggety, and ringingly endorse it to all comers. It is an excellent program. But does that mean it’s right for everyone?
I must reluctantly admit that, no, it probably isn’t.
I really like how the article breaks down different types of people and makes recommendations. Here’s what it has to say about two of the most popular diets with this crowd:
For people who like to cook
The South Beach Diet
By cardiologist Arthur AgatstonNever mind the fluffy name of the diet book. This smart-carb, high-fiber plan is an excellent way to reduce your intake of highly processed carbs and increase your awareness of super-healthy and satisfying protein sources such as seafood. The South Beach cookbooks allow dieters the opportunity to flex their culinary muscles and enjoy gourmet food, while still keeping calories controlled. Last but not least, because of its high-fiber requirements, this diet is unlikely to leave you feeling hungry.
For number crunchers
Weight Watchers
The Flex Plan points program makes counting fun. We like that no food is off-limits. If you choose a food with less-than-perfect numbers, Weight Watchers teaches you how to make it work within your allotted limit. It’s this kind of real-life dieting that makes the program one diet that’s easy to follow for the maintenance phase.
I agree with this, don’t you? I can readily testify that, yes, South Beach is for cooks. So is the similar Sonoma Diet. I mean, you can eat out on South Beach, but you’ll eat better and cheaper at home! If you don’t like to cook, you won’t make it on this plan. Furthermore, if there are certain foods you just can NOT live without, especially sweets, South Beach is not the plan for you. To me, that’s where Weight Watchers comes in. Flexibility!
Anyway, there’s more to the article. Check it out - you might find it interesting!
*Ahem (butting in)*
WW has two plans: the points-counting plan and the no-counting plan. The no-counting plan is actually based on a similar idea as SB. You also have to cook on the no-counting plan, along with learning portion control…
The whole premise of WW is that you’re not on a diet but that you’re making a lifestyle change, which is why I really like it. I not only want to lose this weight, but I want to re-train myself to eat healthy, crave things that are good for my body and not sugar/refined carbs, and to understand portion control. I know that I’m in this for the long haul, hence the small bit of flexibility that is still built into the no-counting plan is a saving grace. If I knew that I absolutely could not ever eat sweets, then I wouldn’t last and it would feel like a diet. It is possible to be on WW and not count a single point
Comment by Anne — March 13, 2007 @ 1:36 pm
(just wanted to throw that in there since they didn’t talk about it in the article!
)
Comment by Anne — March 13, 2007 @ 1:37 pm
Furthermore, if there are certain foods you just can NOT live without, especially sweets, South Beach is not the plan for you.
See, that’s why I was never attracted to low-carb plans. If I can’t treat myself with things like Oreos or M&Ms, I KNOW I won’t stick to it. And I’m not into anything that gives me more work in the kitchen, either!
Comment by Jana — March 13, 2007 @ 2:49 pm
What Ive been discovering lately is that even if I’ve tried to treat myself (and gone off plan!) I’ve ended up with a migraine (big major one on Saturday, and another one on Monday). Not sure if that’s a good thing or aa bad one… (And they weren’t even after eating major things - seems likeI’m pretty sensitive to sugar now.
Comment by Debs — March 13, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
That article was very helpful — thanks!
Comment by Barbara H. — March 14, 2007 @ 9:18 am