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I posted a reply to your question late last night ... don't know what happened to it. Here's a second try!

The best source for the details of the SB diet is the book. I have not read the Atkin's book, so my information is second hand and I stand to be corrected on the details of that diet. My source is two of my sisters, whom I eat dinner with every Sunday, and the subject often gets around to low carbing since they are on the Atkins diet.

There IS a difference between SB and Atkins during the first two weeks. In SB there is NO carb counting and NO induction of ketosis (therefore none of that "bad feeling" some experience on Atkins). In the first two weeks of Atkins, one is limited to 20 carbs per day and the goal is to induce one's body to enter the state of ketosis. There is NEVER any carb counting on SB, just a differentiation of "good carbs" vs. "bad carbs" and "good fats" vs. "bad fats." However, like Atkins, the first two weeks are designed to break the cycle of high-glycemic carb cravings.

I don't want to type the entire contents of the good/bad food lists here, but will attempt to hit the highlights: During the first two weeks, "good carbs" are identified as artichokes, apsaragus, beans (black, butter, chickpeas, green, italian, kidney, lentils, lima, pigeon, soy, split peas, wax), broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celer,. collard greens, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce, mushrooms, snow peas, spinach, sprounts, tomatoes (limited to one whole or 10 cherry per meal), turnips, water chestnuts, and zucchini. It is my impression that many of these would not be allowed during the first two weeks of Atkins.

On SB, good fats are olive oil, canola oil, and peanut oil. I would also put sunflower oil in this category. Meats are limited to lean cuts. This is the case no matter what part of the diet one is on. I don't think that Atkins makes this distinction, and allows pretty much any cut of meat or any type of fat.

After the first two weeks on SB, the following items can be re-introduced: fruit (except for bananas, canned fruit, fruit juices, pineapple, raisins, and watermelon), whole grain breads and bagels, high fiber cereals, whole wheat pasta and cous cous, green peas, popcorn, small sweet potatoes, brown & wild rice, barley, pinto beans, black eyed peas.