The South Beach Diet
South Beach Diet – a phrase that is commonly heard but is seldom understood. This is just another truth behind the emergence of another diet. So what’s the big deal? Well, in this article you will find some facts about the South Beach Diet and what it is all about it. After all, I am sure that you love to get on with losing weight ready for summer, right?
Well, the South Beach Diet is considered as the “biggest thing” that the slimming world has ever introduced. But where exactly did the South Beach Diet come from? Here is the answer: the South Beach Diet was actually formulated by a person named Dr. Arthur Agatston after the realization that some of his patients were having little success by using conventional low carb – high fat diet plans like the Atkins diet which is also popular around the globe.
Dr. Arthur Agatston, being a cardiologist and knowing the condition of his patients, had the main concern of finding a diet that will promote a perfectly healthy heart. Finding no such source for that diet existed, he decided to formulate his own diet plan and that was to become known as the South Beach Diet.
According to the testimony of Dr. Agatston, since the introduction of the South Beach Diet, many people who followed the diet actually lost an average of 13.6 pounds almost double the 7.5 pounds lost by those who use the strict “Step II” of the American Heart Association (AHA) diet. Along with that, it was also found that when following the South Beach Diet many people showed greater decreases in their waist-to-hip ration and triglycerides, and their good to bad cholesterol ratio improved even more.
Generally, the South Beach Diet, in a word, is not considered as a low carbohydrate diet as it is commonly associated. It is a fact that the idea behind the South Beach Diet is to lose weight in a way that is healthy for those who follow it.
The South Beach Diet, unlike the low carbohydrate diets usually encourages the dieter to choose between the good and the bad carb foods. As such, the dieter is required to eat more fruits and vegetables and even wholegrain bread in contrast to other low carb diets. So, in the South Beach Diet, there is more of a sense of “yin and yang”, that it is more balanced than any other low carb diets in the whole world.
The South Beach Diet – What Can You Expect In It
The book entitled ‘The South Beach Diet’ incorporated the diet strategy formulated by the cardiologist, Arthur Agatston. Its name comes from the fact that he was working in Miami, Florida when he wrote it. It has since become a successful diet plan for millions of women around the world.
Why is this diet different?
The main emphasis of the South Beach Diet is on losing weight while still eating a healthy and balanced diet. Certain types of carbohydrates and fats are required by the body while others result in weight gain. By focussing on the useful carbohydrates and fats you not only lose weight but also lower your cholesterol levels.
High cholesterol levels can lead to an increased risk of heart attacks and other heart diseases. Consuming too many bad carbohydrates has been linked to diabetes. The diet aims to reduce the cravings for foods that contain these bad carbohydrates and fats.
Unlike the Atkins Diet, which cuts out all carbohydrates altogether, the South Beach Diet places the emphasis on eating the right types of carbohydrates. This includes plenty of vegetables as well as allowing lean meat.
The diet may sound simple enough but it needs a lot of will-power and the desire to succeed. As easy as it sounds, this diet does require a lot of determination and self-motivation.
The three stages of the South Beach Diet
The diet plan has three distinct stages. Each one has a specific goal.
Stage One
This is the first and the most regimented of all three stages of the diet plan. It spans the first two weeks and is the only stage that specifically prohibits the consumption of certain foods. It is this that many people find difficult to adhere to but, if successful, a person can expect to lose between 8 and 13 pounds by the end of the two weeks. It also acts as a detoxification period which makes the body healthier.
The banned foods include full fat cheese, fruit juices, fruit, beef rib steaks, honey-baked ham, yogurt, pasta, rice, oatmeal, bread and other starchy foods. These are compensated for by the foods that are allowed to be eaten in regular amounts.
Shellfish, fish, chicken, turkey and other lean meats as well as nuts, vegetables and eggs are on the approved list. The idea is to eat three decent meals a day to lessen the amount of cravings between meals.
Stage Two
After the first two weeks, some of the foods that were previously prohibited are now able to be eaten. These are specifically the high-fiber carbohydrates found in whole grain bread, for example. These help promote the production of insulin in the body.
Low fat dairy products and some fruits are also back on the menu.
There are limits set on the amounts of certain items including potatoes, honey, watermelon and some refined wheat-based foods. Red wine is also allowed in small amounts. Stage Two is considered complete once you have attained your ideal weight. Then it is on to Stage Three.
Stage Three
The final stage of the South Beach Diet is dedicated to ensuring that the weight loss achieved is maintained. This is why the diet is seen as a change of lifestyle and not a simple plan to lose weight quickly.
The emphasis is on staying healthy and preventing any weight gain. All cravings for foods high in empty carbohydrates or fats should have subsided. If the pounds do start to creep back up then the diet can be restarted from Stage One.
Are there any drawbacks of the diet?
As with any diet, the initial dramatic weight loss most women experience on the South Beach Diet is largely due to water loss. This excess water was being retained in the body by the carbohydrates in foods that are prohibited in Stage One. Once you are free to eat these foods again there is the possibility that the water retention will cause some weight gain.
Before beginning the South Beach Diet, as with any diet, it is important to consult with your medical practitioner.
Summary:
The South Beach Diet is dedicated to ensuring that the weight loss achieved is maintained. This is why the diet is seen as a change of lifestyle and not a simple plan to lose weight quickly. The emphasis is on staying healthy and preventing any weight gain.
The South Beach Diet – Is This Diet Right For Everyone?
The South Beach Diet is far more than just a diet. It is life changing. Unlike many other diets that are often only undertaken for a short period of time it needs a lot of will-power and determination to succeed. If you are prepared to change what you eat for the long term it will not only help you to lose weight but it will also help prevent the pounds from creeping back too. The secret behind its success is that your cravings for foods that are high in unhealthy carbohydrates are reduced as you eat only those that are good for you.
Is this diet right for everyone?
Put simply, no. As with any type of diet, the South Beach Diet is not ideally suited to everyone. The main reason that many people find that the diet does not work for them is because it requires a huge amount of will-power and determination to succeed, especially in the beginning of the plan. This is the first of the three stages that make up the diet.
There are a small number of foods that are prohibited on the diet and there are also strict guidelines that need to be followed if the diet is going to prove successful. Many people who start the diet find that they cannot adhere to the plan for long and give up.
Dr. Arthur Agatston, a cardiologist, developed the South Beach Diet. The main emphasis of the diet is to cut down the amount of carbohydrates that are consumed. Although a few foods are banned from the beginning of the diet, the majority of foods can be eaten. However, Dr. Agatston stresses the benefits of eating ‘good fats’ and explains the effects of processed foods on our blood sugar levels and insulin responses. Although the diet plan might not be one that everyone can adhere to, its philosophy plays an important role in educating us about the value of good nutrition. The diet’s website is full of information to help us eat better and also includes recipes and meal plans, including some for vegetarians.
How to maximise your diet success
There are a number of points that can help increase the benefits of the South Beach Diet. Here are three of the most important:
Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water daily
Water is essential for many of the body’s functions and the recommended minimum daily amount that we should drink is 8 glasses. Sipping water, if you are feeling hungry, can also alleviate your craving for food. One tip for people who do not enjoy drinking water in its natural form is to flavour it with a small amount of juice. Watered down tea or coffee can also form part of your daily intake. Remember that water also helps your hair and skin look healthier as well as curbing your appetite.
Limit the daily caffeine intake
The recommended daily intake of caffeine is one cup of tea or coffee a day. If you love your morning tea or coffee you can still drink them to count towards your daily water intake but limit it to one. Throughout the rest of the day why not try herbal teas or decaffeinated coffee. You will probably find that you feel far less stressed too with your caffeine levels lowered.
Take one multivitamin supplement daily
No matter how well-balanced your diet is the majority of people do not get the full amount of the essential vitamins and minerals from the food that they eat. This can be accentuated when you are on any dietary plan. The simplest way to ensure that you are not deficient in any vitamins or minerals is to take a multivitamin supplement daily.
The South Beach Diet is reasonably simple to adhere to if you are determined to succeed and have enough willpower. There are lots of recipes that you can try out, both in the book of the diet and on the Internet. The choice is sufficient that even the fussiest of eaters is bound to find something that takes their fancy.
The weight loss achieved on the diet can be very rapid, especially in the initial two weeks. This is the first stage of the South Beach Diet and the target weight loss is 8-13 pounds. If you achieve this then it is likely to motivate you even further to continue the diet. By the end of the first stage your cravings for any banned foods should also have lessened considerably. The aim of Stage Two is to achieve your target weight. Once you have reached this, you move into Stage Three where you maintain your ideal weight and prevent the weight from piling back on. This is where the lifestyle change that the South Beach Diet incorporates takes effect and why it has a high rate of success for people who reach the final stage.
Summary:
The South Beach Diet is far more than just a diet. It is life changing. Unlike many other diets that are often only undertaken for a short period of time, it needs a lot of willpower and determination to succeed. If you are prepared to change what you eat for the long term, it will not only help you to lose weight but it will also help prevent the pounds from creeping back too.
The Three Phases of South Beach Diet Program
The South Beach Diet provides three phases of diet programs that allow an individual to enjoy the indulgences of eating good tasting and healthy foods while still losing weight and obtaining the slim figure everybody would love to have.
Created by a cardiologist, Dr. Arthur Agatston, the South Beach Diet is becoming popular with its diet program that is unique and different from the rest of the dieting regimen programs online.
Centered under the principles of eating the right kind of carbohydrates and fats, the South Beach Diet promotes a new eating lifestyle that will let an individual feel contented with eating healthy food without compromising the experience of eating delicious and good tasting foods.
The dieting approach used in the South Beach Diet is established under three phases, the first of two of which involves a time framed dieting programs and the third is for a satisfying dieting routine for life.
The first phase of the South Beach Diet commences within the first two weeks of the dieting program and is centered with the goal of eliminating sugar cravings and to avoid starchy foods. This will be the initial step in order to jump off the weight loss program of the South Beach Diet.
The elimination of cravings for sugar will basically stabilize the blood sugar which is also responsible for craving to eat more foods making this an ideal diet regimen for the diabetics and obese individuals.
The foods to eat during the first phase of the South Beach Diet are more fiber rich yet delicious meal plans that will continue to satisfy the dieter’s appetite. Moreover, the great thing about the South Beach Diet is that the person continues to eat three meals a day plus two snacks making a person under the South Beach Diet program not feeling deprived or hungry at all.
The phase two of the South Beach Diet program involves a long term diet regimen which is perfect for people with less than 10 pounds of weight to lose. They get to eat foods that are on the phase one diet with the addition of foods with good carbohydrates plus desserts. People with less weight to lose and those without too much excess belly fats fall under the phase two category dieting program.
The phase three of the South Beach Diet is basically for maintenance once the ideal weight is achieved by the person which they need to keep for life. The individuals under this phase are able to choose options on the kind of food that will fit their lifestyle.
These are naturally healthy and deliciously tasting foods. Under this phase the individual will continue to follow their dieting regimen from the first and second phase of the South Beach Diet and will continue to maintain their weight for life.
Following this diet means always eating healthy meal plans while enjoying the indulgences of good tasting but healthy food as the long term goal of the South Beach Diet.
What You Must Follow With The South Beach Diet
The South Beach Diet has swept the country in the last four to five years as part of Americas continuing attempt to lose weight. However, not every dieter is finding success on this diet. Find out about what these dieters are doing wrongly, and how you can achieve great results on this diet. Dr. Agitation, a leading cardiologist, created the South Beach Diet. His aim was to get better his patients heart health, but he exposed that as a side influence his patients were losing a lot of weight.
The South Beach Diet approaches eating in an entirely different way. He claims that it is not a low-crab or a low-fat diet, but a diet that focuses on consumption the right crabs and the right fats. The South Beach Diet is based on the GI index. The diet restricts crabs in the first two weeks and then gradually re-introduces those crabs with a low glycerin index. The focus of this diet is teaching you to find the right carbohydrates and fats .He also recommends trading drenched fats with unsaturated fats.
With the South Beach diet, you will learn to eat good carbohydrates and good fats in the right proportions. The South Beach Diet usually follows the same idea as other glycolic index diets. First a little environment; when we have eaten, the crabs are then broken down into sugar, thus raise the sugar in our blood. After the initial two-week period, weight loss may slow some. In answer to the superior glucose level, the hormone insulin is released from the pancreas to take away the sugar as of the blood.
If we consume foods that are wealthy in crabs, we get a rapid add to in blood sugar, and then our pancreas releases a large quantity of insulin to counter it. When you are on the South Beach Diet, you will be eating three portioned meals per day, and two snacks. This in turn causes the blood sugar to fall quickly and you sense a lack of power, and then you crave more crabs and the thick cycle continues. If it keeps up then you are likely to increase weight as a result .Similar to the popular Atkins Diet, the South Beach Diet works in stages. In accumulation, your body becomes unwilling to the action of insulin. Once your body reaches this position then your body becomes more successful in storing the fat.
The meal plans on the program are very flexible so you can incorporate it into your lifestyle. So in stage one of this diet, most of the crabs are limited, this gives you body a rest from the sequence. This is theoretical to decide the insulin confrontation. The banned foods would be bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, fruit, milk, sweets, sugar and alcohol .The focus of this diet is teaching you to find the right carbohydrates and fats.. The focal point on the phase one fraction is to eat slant meat, chicken, fish and eggs. In this phase it is said that you can drop up to 14 pounds.
In the phase two fraction of the diet low GI crabs are gradually reintroduced. This would be most fruits, whole grain bread, cereals, pasta and skim milk. The South Beach Diet is safe but also very effective in eliminating excess fat from your body. You are theoretical to stay in this stage until you arrive at your aim weight. In phase three, you can reintroduce a wide diversity of foods. In this phase you are theoretical to keep your weight steady. Like many diets, the South Beach Diet is much less of a diet and more like a lifestyle change. This phase is intended to be life long. In all of the phases there is no boundary for portions, just eat enough to satisfy your wants. Actually snacking is advised, as extended as you snack on the suitable food in your phase.
The pay off is an 8 to 13 pound weight loss in the first two weeks on the South Beach Diet program .The extreme crab restriction in the first phase requires some grave will power. You may feel feeble. Also you wont be receiving your daily obligation of fruits and veggies so you may be omitted out on vitamins and minerals. The South Beach Diet is safe but also very effective in eliminating excess fat from your body. Also when you limit all the crabs in this phase you are receiving rid of a lot of good sources of fiber, vitamins and minerals. However nutrition experts are usually in favor of diets based on the glycolic index. Overall this diet generally follows the basic opinion of healthy eating. The consequence should give abundance of the nutrients one would need to stay fit. The meal plans on the program are very flexible so you can incorporate it into your lifestyle.
Reach Your Bikini Goal With The South Beach Diet
Everyone wants to look great for the summer. One way to be able to reach your ideal weight that will help you look good in a bikini is to use the South Beach Diet.
In order for the South-Beach Diet to work for you it needs to be followed exactly how it was designed. Furthermore, each individual South Beach-Diet that you follow needs to be tailored to your specific body. This will help you lose weight safely in a way that was meant for you.
The South beach diet is very similar to the Atkins diet in that it is a low carbohydrate diet. Dr. Arthur Agatston originally designed this diet with some of his heart patients in mind. These patients had a condition called the insulin resistance syndrome, most commonly known as the metabolic syndrome.
People with insulin resistance syndrome are people who have a combination of symptoms including high blood pressure, signs of obesity (especially in the belly), elevated blood glucose, high triglycerides, and low HDL.
These people do not respond as well to the traditional low fat diets that contain quite a few carbohydrates. Therefore, the South-Beach Diet became the alternative. Since then it also have become a popular diet alternative for those of the general public wanting to lose weight, even if the reason is to look good in a bikini.
The South Beach-Diet is divided into four phases. These four phases are as follows:
Phase One: This phase excludes most carbohydrates including all fruit, most dairy products, and most sources of saturated fat. What you can eat during this phase of the South Beach diet include lean meats, eggs and egg whites, seafood, soy foods, fat free and low fat dairy products, one serving of beans, and low starch vegetables (carrots, broccoli, lettuce greens, leeks, cauliflower, etc.).
The starchier vegetables such as potatoes, corn, and peas should be avoided during this initial diet phase. This is the most rapid stage of weight loss and lasts approximately two weeks.
Phase Two: This is the stage that the dieter continues until he or she reaches desired weight loss. During this phase of the South-Beach Diet the dieter will start to add one carb a week that was disallowed during the first two weeks of the diet. Usually dieters will start with a low glycemic fruit such as berries or grapefruit during this phase, and then continue to add more and more carbs.
This also is the phase in which the dieter tests the waters and finds foods that are a fit. If there is no negative reaction to the foods tried during this phase the dieter continues to add more and more carbs. This phase lasts until the dieter reaches the desired weight goal.
Phase Three: This is the maintenance stage of the diet. This stage is very similar to Phase Two of the South Beach-Diet. The big difference between this stage and the stage two is that in this stage, carbs are allowed to be eaten more often. Otherwise, this stage is a continuation of the previous stage, which is to just eat the foods that the dieter has defined as right for them in the previous stage.
This stage of the diet lasts for the dieters lifetime and contains mostly lean proteins, fruits, whole grains, and sources of mono and polyunsaturated fats such as avocado, nuts, and olives.
There is no cut and dry way to succeed at the South Beach Diet. However, those who are determined to make it work for them can find this diet to be a great alternative. Therefore, if you are a person who has a desire to lose weight in order to fit into that bikini you have always wanted to wear you can learn the South-Beach-Diet plan and make it work for you.
If you want more information regarding the South-Beach-Diet you can read other articles such as this one or contact your doctor or dietician for more information. You can also refer to the South Beach Diet book, as well. You can also read more articles such as this or contact a health care professional for more information about nutrition and dieting.
One more thing you always need to remember when dieting: aerobic exercise will help you reach your weight goal faster if it is done along with proper dieting. This is the case more than just dieting alone, no matter what type of diet you are on.
Stick with the Plan – How to Avoid Those South Beach Diet Disasters
The South Beach Diet does work for those who stick to it. The best way to avoid South Beach diet disasters is to make sure you follow the plan the way it was designed.
The best way to learn about the South Beach Diet is to read about this diet either from the book that this diet was first introduced in or articles such as this one. The general consensus is the same no matter where you learn about the South Beach Diet. Most reliable sources will tell you it can work for you if you let it. That is not a guarantee that it will work for most people, but it can for those who try.
This diet was originally designed for those who have symptoms that could lead to heart disease, diabetes, or other potentially dangerous condition. These were people who did not respond well to the traditional low fat and high carbohydrates diet. This diet was made up into three diet phases.
Phase one of the diet would eliminate a majority of all carbs that a person would normally eat, as well as all sources of saturated fat. These carbs would be those that are in most fruits, starchy vegetables, and refined breads. In place they would eat leaner meats, non-starchy vegetables, and no fruits.
Then, during phase two and three more and more carbs would be added. Then, the dieter would reach the point in which eating lean protein foods, whole grains rather than processed breads, a variety of lower carb fruits and vegetables, and a moderate supply of certain types of poly and monosaturated fat sources such as olive oil, nuts, and avocadoes.
This diet plan had become very popular mainly because it had worked in many cases. However, in order to avoid disaster, there are quite a few things a person should understand about this diet. Some of these things include as follows:
This diet is based on eating the right carbohydrates and the right types of fats. Many people label this diet a low carb diet primarily because of the first two weeks when most carbs are removed from the diet.
The first two weeks of the diet, which is called Phase I, is the strictest part of the diet. Once you get past the few days of this initial period, you are on your way to a healthier you. During this phase no baked goods, rich deserts, or alcohol is allowed. That is also in addition to no rice, breads, potatoes and other foods.
This diet gets easier after the first two weeks. Also, this is the stage in which you lose the most weight, so do not lose heart in Phase II and three when you only lose 1-2 pounds a weak. This is the way the diet was designed so do not give up.
You need to be patient as your body adjusts to the good carbs you are eating. It takes time to be comfortable with change no matter how good that change is. However, once you have adjusted to eating the new carbs in your diet you will become just as satisfied as if you had eaten the old ones.
This diet plan does allow you to eat until you are totally satisfied. However, keep in mind not to get carried away eating whatever you want, because that could get you into trouble.
Those who want to continue Phase I for longer can do so, and those who want to go back to a previous phase after advancing to the next phase of the diet can do so.
All of the above points are important to remember when deciding to commit to the South Beach Diet plan. In order for this diet to work for you, it is best to follow this diet the way it was designed to work. That is the best way to ensure that you will succeed at it.
Also, keep in mind that eventually during the diet you will be able to eat most of what you want, but during the initial stages, especially during Phase I it is best that you adhere to the instructions given to you during this phase.
South Beach Diet Information
As the South Beach Diet continues to make its way to the zenith of fame and prestige, many South Beach diet questions are now demanding concrete answers. With the emergence of so many South Beach Diet questions, many companies that are concerned about the South Beach Diet are establishing their own channels and sources for the people to post their South Beach Diet questions and other concerns.
So today, the amount of South Beach Diet questions could not be counted due to its massive variations which demand very exact answers. There are South Beach Diet questions that demand similar answers, but there are also those that really need some philosophies and deep consideration.
Knowing the rapid emergence of the South Beach Diet questions, it is nice to know that the different questions can now be answered through the several forums intended for the South Beach Diet program. In line with such channels for different South Beach Diet questions are the presence of the South Beach Diet official site, discussion forums for this diet plan, and even some books concerning on the South Beach Diet plan.
With the different variations of the South Beach Diet questions, it is interesting to know that what is commonly noted are some of the South Beach Diet questions that have to do with the actual South Beach Diet meal plans, and the fundamentals of the South Beach Diet. It is also commonly noted that some South Beach Diet questions are concern with the success stories, experiences, and even South Beach Diet questions about the other related information that can aid people to decide whether the South Beach Diet program is really best for them.
Since the brain of the South Beach Diet is Dr. Arthur Agatston, numerous resources have noted that the best resource for any sort of answers for the different South Beach Diet questions is Dr. Agatston himself. Well, this is indeed the best resource for getting your questions answered. Dr. Agatston is the inventor and developer of the South Beach Diet, so he knows everything about this latest diet craze. Speaking of such a resource, it is interesting to know that asking for answers from Dr. Agatston is not impossible since there are so many sites on the web that offered contacts to the diets inventor. Besides, there is the official site for the South Beach Diet where you can find South Beach Diet questions that were answered by Dr. Agatston himself and also there are the online forums that also provide resources for so many South Beach Diet questions.
Aside from the mentioned resources for any answers concerning the South Beach Diet program, for particular emphasis, there is also the Prevention.com which is one of the biggest and best sources for any answers to different South Beach Diet questions.
It is interesting to know that the South Beach Diet questions can be best answered in many forms like through the nutrition tool and meal planner, message boards, Q&A sessions and direct emails from South Beach Diet nutritionists and Dr. Agatston, chats, and there is also something known as Beach Buddies which will give answers to different South Beach Diet questions.
If you do have an questions regarding the South Beach Diet its good to know that you can always find the answer.
Diet: South Beach Diet
Diet: South beach diet
South beach diet plan is a famous diet designed by the well known cardiologist Arthur and diet expert Marie. It provides an effective alternative to the low fat diets approaches. Before this diet was designed, the low fat diet approaches like Pritikin diet etc were very famous. When the diet was first designed, it was designed to help the heart patients and was not known for the purposes that it is known for these days. In the present times, it is considered as a very good approach to reduce the weight. You will not have to consume the other diets which are low in fats to reduce the weight. This diet provides and excellent alternative.
The South Beach diet was developed as Dr. Arthur believed that sticking to the low fat diet is very difficult. He believed that the low fat diet is good for reducing the cardio vascular problems by reducing the cholesterol, but he also knew the fact that these diets are hard to continue with. He then discovered during his scientific research that the low fat diet actually is responsible for increased level of insulin. This means that it will increase the weight with time and hence the cardio vascular problems would remain as they were. This led him to the design of his own diet plan which is now known as South Beach Diet.
The south beach diet is simple to understand. What it does is that it replaces certain kind of fats with other fats. The fats which are replaced are known as bad fats. They are replaced by good fats. The same thing is done with the carbs. The trans fats and the saturated fats are considered bad fats. These bad fats result in increasing chances of heart disease by increasing the cholesterol levels.
The south beach diet is divided into three phases. Each phase has different food items included and a different goal is meant to achieve. The very first phase is the most difficult phase which lasts for two weeks. In this phase, you will have to cut down all the sugar intakes and you will have to eat no fruits and no processed carbohydrates. This cycle results in weight loss and the hunger cycle is refreshed.
The phase two is the easy phase. In this phase the dieter is allowed to use more fruits and some of the vegetables which were earlier forbidden are now allowed. This phase has no defined time limit and the dieter has to continue it till the time he reaches his desired weight.
The third phase is a life long phase. The dieter needs to know the good food and the bad food and he will have to stick to that without having to stay away from certain food types. Actually nothing is forbidden in this phase.
Solid And Effective: The South Beach Diet
As a practicing cardiologist Dr Arthur Agatson was getting more and more frustrated when his patients failed to lose weight. They were faithfully following the standard, low-fat American Heart Association diet on his advice, with no results. He noticed that, not only didn’t they lose weight, but their blood chemistry did not improve. The results he was looking for was an increase in HDL (good cholesterol) and a decrease in LDL (bad cholesterol). Eventually, he developed a new diet specifically for his patients, which later became the basis for his best seller book, The South Beach Diet, which was first published in April 2003. The South Beach Diet was on the New York Times best seller list for more than 96 consecutive weeks, and in excess of 8.5 million copies have been printed. The book was listed as #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list for 38 weeks.
Like many other so-called “low carb” diets, the South Beach Diet assumes that many of us are addicted to carbohydrate-rich foods. The South Beach Diet is very similar to the Atkins Diet. They are so similar that many people believe the South Beach Diet is just a revised version of the Atkins Diet. The first phases for both diets are designed to get rid of the body’s addition to carbohydrates. Where the Atkins Diet has four phases, the South Beach Diet only has three, with a single phase replacing the second and third phases of Atkins. The last phases of both diets, again, are very similar. Since greater variety of foods are introduced earlier on in the South Beach Diet Plan, dieters tend to lose weight at a slightly slower pace than those on Atkins, but many find the South Beach Diet easier to follow because it is less restrictive.
This diet focuses heavily on balancing the blood sugar levels, and as such, the Glycemic Index plays a very important role in this diet. The Glycemic Index is a ranking system for carbohydrates based on their effect on blood sugar. On the South Beach Diet, carbohydrates are selected using the Glycemic Index tables; the lower the ranking the better. This also leads us to one of the South Beach Diet’s major differences from the Atkins diet. The South Beach Diet allows most carbohydrates (preferably only those high in fiber, like multi-grain bread and wild rice), while these products are typically just too high in carbohydrates for an Atkins follower, even on the maintenance phase.
Another area where the approaches of Atkins and Agatston differ quite drastically is on the healthy intake of fats. Atkins followers are encouraged to ingest saturated and monounsaturated fats in the first phase, and then gradually reduce the saturated fat content of meals during later phases as more carbohydrates are introduced. Dr. Agatston advocates mostly monounsaturated fats, like those found in olive oil, nuts and oily fish like salmon, throughout his diet. You will not find butter, bacon or anything fried in the South Beach meal plans, whereas they are positively encouraged during the first Atkins phases.
One of the benefits of the South Beach Diet over many of its competitors is that Kraft Foods entered into an alliance with Dr Agatston. Together they launched a whole range of South Beach Diet convenience products, which covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and even snacks. Examples of the convenience food on offer include breakfast cereal, meal replacement bars, frozen pizzas and frozen entrees. Dr Agatston once stated “My goal is to help change the way America eats, and these great-tasting, nutrient-rich products from Kraft are convenient, making it easier for people to follow The South Beach Diet – whether for a healthy lifestyle or weight loss.”
As with many of the other popular diet books on the market, it is very difficult to find specific scientific proof for the South Beach Diet. Some aspects of the diet may have been scientifically studied and reviewed, for example the benefits of monounsaturated fats, or the benefits of regulating your blood sugar. In general though, it is safe to say that the South Beach Diet is based on sound principles, and can offer you a well-balanced and sustainable way of life.
