The South Beach Diet is known for it’s regimented phases which produce some fairly rapid weight loss results. It was originally designed to help prevent heart disease, created by Dr. Arthur Agatston, MD, a respected cardiologist and director of the Mount Sinai Cardiac Prevention Center in Miami Beach, Florida.
How does the South Beach Diet work?
The South Beach diet works in phases – first getting rid of cravings, second into losing weight steadily, and lastly into maintaining weight loss. Limited carbohydrates, lean proteins and limited healthy fats are the focus of this diet. The concept works in unison with the Glycemic Index (GI), an indicator of sugar content. Unlike the Atkins Diet and Zone Diet, which are concerned with grams of carbohydrates, the South Beach Diet goes by the sugar content (GI). Low GI foods are eaten in the early phase with some higher GI foods added in as the diet progresses. Foods are not calorie counted but portion controlled and are prepared at home. The plan is detailed in the book, with many recipes.
What foods can I eat on the South Beach Diet?
In Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet (14 days), foods are strictly limited to controlled portions of lean meats including chicken breasts, beef, turkey as well as fish and shellfish. Controlled amounts of vegetables, nuts, low-fat cheese and eggs can be mixed in. As the diet progresses to Phases 2 and 3, you can start including controlled amounts of refined, starchy, sugary and white-flour based foods such as rice, potatoes, pasta and sweet bakery items. Packaged snack bars, pizzas, wraps and more are available from Kraft’s “South Beach Living” range.
How much weight will I lose?
During the strict 14-day Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet you can expect to lose 8 to 13lb. After this, weight loss typically slows to about 1 to 2lb a week.
Pros and Cons of the South Beach Diet
The Good:
The South Beach Diet can work quickly, especially in the first two phases. The diet does allow the consumption of some good fats and good carbs in later phases, which dieters enjoy. South Beach diet users can prepare their own food for the most part, although packaged options are available.
The Bad:
Since the diet was originally designed to help stop the development of heart disease, it can seem restrictive for those who are just looking for weight loss. The restriction, especially in phase one, can be very hard to endure. Much like the low carb Atkins diet, carbs and sugars are severely limited early on. Many dieters have a hard time with the concept of the glycemic index, which is the core of the diet, finding it difficult to understand.
How much does the South Beach Diet cost?
List price for the book “The South Beach Diet” by Dr. Arthur Agatston is $ 24.95. You may see some added expense in your grocery bill as lean meats and so on are more expensive than cheap carb-rich filler foods. Expenditure on Kraft’s South Beach Living foods is optional.
For more diet plan options, return to the List of Weight Loss Programs
