South Beach Diet Phase 1: Desserts

I have written several hubs on the South Beach Diet, and in particular for dining out when on Phase 1 of the diet, the most strict and difficult to stay on part of it.  Let's face it....eating eggs almost every day and absolutely no carbs of any kind for two weeks is much harder than it sounds.  Carbs are everywhere, especially in restaurants.  And there are virtually zero Phase 1 dessert options in restaurants, which is why I end every one of those restaurant hubs with the advice to have a cup of coffee or tea, and go eat your dessert at home.  The options for this, however, are extremely limited.  But here is a guide to what you can have:

Ricotta creme--If you own any of the South Beach recipe books, you can find these recipes, or I bet they are online without buying the books.  Still, it's very easy.....the basic version is to take 1/2 cup lowfat ricotta cheese, and mix in 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 packet or teaspoon of sugar substitute.  Don't listen to people who say this tastes like ice-cream, because it doesn't.  It's a gritty, acquired taste...not bad, but not like ice-cream.  You can also add in lime or lemon zest, or make one with almond extract and a few slivered almonds.  Or my personal favorite, adding cocoa powder and a few tiny dark chocolate chips. 

Sugar free gelatin--This stuff doesn't taste nearly as bad as it used to.  In fact, most of them taste as good as their sugary counterparts.  And Jell-O brand has a ton of flavors in the sugar-free variety now.  Or if you don't have the time or patience to make your own, there are lots of pre-made sugar-free gelatins available now too.  You can even add a squirt of Ready Whip for a 15 calorie treat with almost no sugar.  (My personal feeling is to avoid Cool Whip, as it has more additives than a chemistry lab and is more like sugary marshmallow instead of real whipped cream). 

Yogurt--Sugar free yogurt is okay on Phase 1, the kind without the fruit anyway.  Your best bet, though, is to use plain lowfat or fat-free yogurt and add some sugar substitute and vanilla extract, kind of like the ricotta creme.  You can also add a few nuts.

Ice-cream--Okay, I don't think the books tell you it's okay to eat sugar free ice cream on Phase 1, but to be honest, I usually do -- in moderation and in 1/2 cup servings.  I love Breyer's Carb Smart vanilla or chocolate, but before you do this on Phase 1, I would consult with a nutrition expert or, better yet, a South Beach Diet expert.  I think on the South Beach website, you can ask their doctors questions by e-mail.  Or if any of you doctors are reading this, please comment and let me know if I'm out of line here. 

No dessert--Well this is another option.  Instead of having a true dessert, you can have a more standard snack--like a piece of ham or turkey wrapped around a lowfat cheese stick, or a spoonful of peanut butter and a small glass of skim milk. 

Good luck to you all that are following this plan.  I've done it several times, and it works!