For our European friends

[Kimbalina44]

In my copy of the 'The South Beach Diet Good Fats Good Carbs Guide' it says a serving (2 biscuits) of Wheetabix or 'Weet-Bix' is 'G' or 'Good' in phases 2 and 3.
I've been eating them sometimes for my breakfast. So nice with some slices of banana and skimmed milk!!

[Ph.D. 2 B]

Anyone know if Weetabix is ok on P2? Sorry I don't have a box to look at as I emptied out the biscuits!

Annelizabeth this thread is for folks in the United Kingdom looking for substitutes and places to buy items in the book that may or may not be the same in their country. I don't know about Weetabix but would suggest you post this question as a new topic in the Phase 2 forum. This way you get your answer and anybody with the same question gets an answer and doesn't have to post it.

[Thren]

Bumpity bump.

I have a sister who's spending the year in Ghent (Belgium). She's trying the diet as a way to control some stomach problems, rather than focussing on weight loss.

The problem is that she can't find any low-fat cheeses that are on the allowed list. She found one place that sold exhorbitantly expensive mozzerella, and that's about it. No cheddar, no hard cheeses that she's familiar with. All she's got is about ten kinds of Swiss, and I'm not even sure if that's on the allowed list. What kinds of cheeses are allowed and readily available on the continent?

There's also the issue that lots of the vegetables we have in NA aren't available (or are too expensive) in Europe. The UK information will be somewhat helpful, I suspect, but the continent is different and Belgium different still. I can't share recipes if they call for rutabegas or turnips and she doesn't have access to them. Are there certain markets that will have a wider variety than others? Are sweeteners found at the apothacary's, rather than supermarkets?

We'll be sending her a care package with some things in it (like splenda and natural peanut butter, which she can't find anywhere), but she's got to have some kind of information to lean on for the rest of her stay. Any help would be appreciated.

[Ph.D. 2 B]

Any cheese with I think its 6g (you'll have to convert this) of fat or less is exceptable it doesn't have to say low fat or fat free because some are already lower. Swiss is under those guidelines.
You and your sister need to book mark this link
http://www.foodsubs.com/
Its the cook's thesaurus it has pic of the items, descriptions and more important for you two what you can substitute in its place and still have it work. So you could share a recipe with turnips and all she'd have to do is look it up and see what on the sub list she has available.

[frenchfry]

Hi, I’m in France, right next door. Has she tried the big supermarkets like carrefour? I know that here in France they have a large selection of light cheese, or the diet cheese section, and one would think it would be pretty much the same in Belgium. Laughing cow cheese (la vache qui rit) should also be available anywhere. When looking for specialized items, I’ve found the bigger the store the better. Light cheese is by the cheese. Artificial sweeteners seem to be over by the coffee, and not in the baking section. Pharmacies usually have a big selection of diet items, sometimes including artificial sweeteners, but I’ve always found mine at the market.
Don’t forget you can use full-fat cheese as long as you cut the portion size in half. Another idea is to go look at the SB book in the local language in a bookstore, and see if they list local ingredients or substitutions. She can also look on the web under whatever South Beach is called in either French (Regime Miami) or Flemish (have no idea).
And by the way, what a good sister to be sending care packages!

[Aninha]

*BUMP*
I'm so glad I found this thread!!! It's really very helpful.

[danjammam]

Thanks for this.. am In Ireland.

[Bush Girl]

*BUMP*

Simply had to bump this (directed here by luvs_torun). I'm a Brit living in Singapore and have been lost in translation for a while. Biggest problem is lack of availability of stuff here, but at least with the fab thread I can translate into brands/things I actually know and understand from home.

And Bizarrely, we get quite a bit of Waitrose own brand stuff here (staggeringly expensive though).

[southbeachNL]

thanks from me, too!! i'm an american in holland and a lot of what you wrote can help me here. as an american, i already knew the measurements, but it is handy to have the equivs written out.

btw - IKEA usually sells measuring cups for both systems!!

janel
220/210/165 and then we'll see...

[2of3]

BUMP

Someone just forwarded this thread to me and that opening post is fab.

I was trying so hard to find lowfat ricotta but to no avail - now I know what substitutes I can use.

2/3

[benparis]

I found this list on another message board, and thought it might help with finding equivalents and substitutes for some of the American foods that are not available in other countries. It also has some restaurant suggestions.

Hope this helps!

Hello
This thread is designed to help SBD-ers based in the UK get information on the plan. This thread is to point UK SBD-ers in the right direction where there are differences between US and UK food, measures etc.

FOOD

Ricotta – for those much needed desserts:
So far, nobody has been able to find low fat ricotta in the UK. None of the major supermarkets stock it. You can use
Quark (most supermarkets stock this)
O% fat Fromage Frais (most major supermarkets have this)
Low fat cottage cheese (blended until smooth)
Ricotta (but be aware that it will be approx 67% calories from fat)

]

Hi,

Can you tell me if Quark is what we call in France (maybe Canada also) "fromage blanc". I think so, but I'm not sure.

If I'm right, which is the allowed amount during phase 1?

Thank you for your informations.

Friendly yours,

Benoît

[Aninha]

I don't think so...

But it's ok to have fromage blanc (without sugar) on all phases! I used to have 200g everyday for breakfast.

[fattyfattyboomboom]

AMAZING!!!!!!!!:shock:

wish i knew this all alon, but slightly upset that i will not be able to get fudgascles till i am out in the states in august, but i might try the home made one

THIS IS A SAVIOUR!!!!!

[Strawberry Smoothie]

Bought some sugarfree lollies from Holland and Barett today. They're made from isomalt and many preservatives, but help me forget about other sweets.

[southbeachergal]

bumping .