I have moved from a restricted carbohydrate South Beach diet to a diet resembling a cross between South Beach and Weight Watchers. I think this will be a good preconception and pregnant way to eat. How many calories I eat will depend on where I am- in the dieting stage now, in the maintaining weight loss phase at IUI time, and still monitoring carb intake and eating healthier choices but while gaining slowly when I get that positive hpt and beyond.
My diet still resembles SB in that I still choose a lot of whole grain products such as pasta, bread, cereals and crackers. I eat very limited white potatoes and products with sugar. I watch how many carbohydrates I eat at each sitting and limit it to 1-2 servings. I also eat starch-free meals often, such as lean hamburger steaks with mock mashed potatoes (cauliflower). The difference is that SBD advocates only a few servings (up to 3) of fruits and grains daily and my intake is more like 2 fruits and 4 grains per day. About double but still much lower than what I would normally have eaten pre-South Beach.
I think this is ultimately a heathier diet for the long run. I am inching towards the 25 pound mark but it is maddeningly slow. And a setback or two makes it even slower. LOL. I am hoping to reach 30 pounds in the next 2 months.
One thing I really like to eat with lunch to help me feel full without too many calories is the Carb Option Cup-A-Soups. I really like two Cream of Chicken packets made with 1 1/2 cups of water and 1/2 cup of milk (around 100 calories) and the Chicken Noodle flavor made with some added grated carrot (around 30 calories per packet).
I also frequently eat the new packets of Whole Wheat South Beach diet Wheat Thin type crackers. They’re great with a bit of meat and cheese and some sliced fruit for lunch.
One thing I really miss is Chinese food. I’d kill for some Orange Chicken over white rice with some Rangoon. Not healthy in the least. Poot.