The Hollando Diet

To answer David’s question:

Following South Beach strictly requires total abstinence from the drink for the two weeks of Phase 1 and only limited consumption (e.g., a glass of wine with dinner) thereafter. Here’s the book on booze:

“At the other end of the spectrum is beer. As discussed, it has a high glycemic index thanks to its main component, maltose, which is even worse than table sugar.

“Wine, and even whiskey, are safer bets because they’re made from different grains, vegetables, or fruit. Not that whiskey is part of any serious weight-loss effort, of course. White wine is better. Best of all is red wine, because it brings with it some significant, proven cardiac benefits thanks to the reservatrol contained in grape skins” (Agatston, The South Beach Diet, 56).

I can’t argue with the science, but let’s get practical. If I’m going to stick with this lifestyle, it can’t include swearing off whiskey, wine, and certainly not the occasional Guinness (sorry, Will).

Could I stand to drink fewer of these libations? Absolutely. And I am. But Yalies and the Temperance Movement have never really got along. As I said in my first post, it’s just no fun. If that means slower weight loss, more fluctuation, or compromises in other areas, so be it. Priorities, people.