I wrote about a conversation I had with friends recently and started to think about how different diets could work together. I wanted to find out what diets were best for short term as well as the long term. I knew she tends to recommend Weight Watchers, South Beach and now Eat For Health. So I asked Laurie what she thought about this question and what she has done in her practice:
"I have found that South Beach diet is as successful as any other diet...if it is followed it is very successful. However, most people have difficulty sticking to any diet for very long. I oftern recommend doing South Beach and Weight Watchers together. I like South Beach for the types of foods that everyone should be eating and Weight Watchers for helping teach portion control.
Even w/South Beach diet, it is possible to overinduldge in "good" or "healthy" foods. If one would go from South Beach to Weight Watchers then the food choices open up to include almost anything on the planet...just in smaller quantities. I like that South Beach keeps food choices to healthful ones. It is a particularly good diet for those with metabolic syndrome."
What is interesting about this comment is that it seems like many people have simply viewed Weight Watchers as a tool for portion control or support. I am going to have Laurie take a look at the changes they are making with the new Momentum Program.
It does look like in addressing some of the past weaknesses of their program they get a side benefit of better competitive position vs South Beach. Given the perception of South Beach as something that is hard to stick to, it would be interesting if WW was able to essentially make a SB type diet doable for the long term. We will keep you posted!
And if you have any experience with doing these two diets together- or any other combination of diets, let us know in this discussion thread. I am also interested in learning more about the South Beach Diet being especially good for metabolic syndrome. This is not the first time I have heard that.
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