SBD is both low carbs and low fat compared to Atkins, which is primarily low
carb.  SBD is less restrictive regarding carbs, but the carbs that you eat
are "healthier" meaning that you can do brown rice instead of white rice,
whole grain breads instead of white bread, etc.  From my read of both books,
SBD is a more up-to-date version of Atkins - Atkins was written in the
1970s, SBD is much more recent.  Makes a real distinction between "good"
fats and "bad" fats.  SBD seems like a healthier WOE in the long-run.  That
said, I find Atkins easier to do, for me.  It is my expectation that once I
get to my goal, I'll be switching to the SBD WOE for the long term.

Sandy K.

Read the books.

I read South Beach, haven't read Atkins but it seems to me that South
Beach isn't nearly as strict during the induction phase as Atkins is,
and SB introduces "good carbs" earlier in the diet. Also, SB tends to
tout lower fat foods (reduced fat cottage cheese vs. full fat, reduced
fat cream cheese, etc.). Once through the first pahse of SB you can
start to introduce carbs like whole grain breads, whole wheat pasta,
etc.

Anyone else?

Lee

My problem with SBD is that in adding some of these "good carbs" it
triggers me to either eat too much of them or triggers me to eat the
bad ones after i ate the good ones. I went from Atkins to SB one
weekend and bought 2 cans of chickpeas to roast or put in my salad.
Well after i got them home those poor chickies did not see the light
of the next day. Not so bad with the fruit because I refuse to believe
that fruit makes you fat but as far as the beans and legumes
go....forgetaboutit

Well, in addition to what everbody else said, SBD is a little less
methodical.  There isn't any carb counting, per se -- just note what
you're eating, especially as you transition from phase 1 to phase 2.
He even says to introduce these new foods (like fruit, whole grain
bread, etc.) in moderation.  If you add a piece of fruit or slice of
bread a day and continue losing, great.  If you add BOTH and stall out,
cut back a little on the carbs.  But there's no set numerical limits,
even on the first phase.

Both seem like good diets; I'm doing SBD right now and have lost 20
pounds so far.  Sure feel better... (and since it's keeping me from
buying much garbage at work, I'm brining more [healthy] lunches to
work, which is a big help.  Tastes better, too.)

nothing really. both work via calorie reduction.