So ... you're living on The South Beach ... but your kitchen is in the same old ZIP Code in Junkfoodville?! It's important to have your pantry and fridge stocked with the foods you'll be eating and to toss those you'll be avoiding. Doing so ahead of time will help you stay organized, prepared for mealtimes and keep temptation at bay.
First up make sure you have plenty of fresh produce on hand, as most vegetables are allowable, including all the greens ones. Also acceptable are:
eggplant, cauliflower, fresh beans, mushrooms, onions, radishes, and much more (Check out your Phase's allowable list for the complete run-down.).
Next up just say yes to eggs and egg substitutes like Egg Beaters. You'll be using them in recipes, or, if you don't cook you can whip up an easy SBD-friendly omlet in no time flat.
Dairy is a "do", but make sure you choose one percent or fat-free milk, cottage cheese, and low- or non-fat plain yogurt. You'll be allowed no more than two servings a day. If dairy is a problem, you could also substitute low-fat plain soy milk.
Reduced-fat cheese is an SBD staple as is skim ricotta cheese, because you'll be using it to make all those tasty SBD-friendly desserts that will keep your sweet tooth at bay.
Keep vanilla and almond flavoring on hand at all times -- when you live the SBD way they become as common as salt and pepper. You can use them in the SBD desserts (Which are a must to quell cravings!) and to flavor the yogurt that is allowed which is downright unpalatable without the added flavoring.
Toss This Stuff:
All processed, refined foods and sweets such as cookies, white bread, cakes, snack cakes, candy, full-fat ice cream and milk, as well as chips, pretzels, and full-fat fudge bars (the fat-free, sugar-free variety are allowed and will come in handy when the urge to indulge strikes.).Also out are fried pre-prepared foods like chicken tenders or fish patties. Frozen dinners have lots of hidden fat and carbs, so you'll be better off tossing them to start out with, too, or the convenience factor may tempt you to zap one "just this once" ... which is never "just this once"!
The creator of the South Beach Diet has teamed up with Kraft to provide a variety of healthful convenience foods which are allowed on different phases of the plan.
