A modified carbohydrate diet, including uniquely formulated meal and snack products, resulted in greater early weight loss and similar appetite ratings compared to a reduced calorie diet

Modified carbohydrate diets, such as South Beach Diet TM (SBD) may be advantageous for obesity treatment. A multi‐center parallel study examined the effect of SBD, including commercial SBD products, on weight loss & satiety compared to Reduced Calorie Diet (RCD). Overweight & obese women (n= 240) were randomized to follow SBD, SBD + SBD Products (SBDP), RCD, or RCD + SBD Products (RCDP) for 24 wks. SBDP & RCDP consumed 1‐2 SBD snacks & 1‐2 SBD meals/day along with their respective assigned diet. On four occasions food records & hourly electronic appetite questionnaires were completed on 3 non‐consecutive days. All groups lost significant weight compared to baseline. SBD groups had greater weight loss at wk 2 (SBD ‐3.84 ± 3.92 lbs, SBDP ‐5.16 ±3.55 lbs; p<0.01) than those following RCD (RCD ‐2.70 ± 3.40 lbs, RCDP ‐3.40 ± 3.55 lbs). There was an effect (p<0.05) of product at wk 2. There was a trend (p=0.07) for the diet effect to persist at 12 wks. All had significant reductions in total fat mass from baseline to 24 wks, with SBD groups having the greatest reduction (p<0.05). SBD groups consumed significantly more protein, & tended to consume fewer calories (p=0.098) than CR groups at wk 2. Despite differences in nutrient intake, all groups reported similar overall appetite scores. These results indicate that SBD provides a viable weight loss strategy & the early weight loss differences may increase motivation (Supported by Kraft Foods).