How Does the South Beach Diet Work?
Posted by Richard Gonzales
The “South Beach Diet“, a diet that is catching popularity with the various celebrities promoting it and wherever you go, you are sure to see it on a menu at a restaurant, at the grocery stores and even your print or broadcast media.
The diet which was popularized by creator and cardiologist Arthur Agatson focuses on two major components and that is carbohydrates and fats. To be more specific, the “good” carbohydrates and fats in food products.
Dr. Agatson felt that people who consumed too much bad carbs would be resistant to insulin (which can lead to diabetes) and that those who consumed bad fats such as saturated or trans-fat have the potential of having cardiovascular disease. So, his goal was to develop a diet that would prevent these conditions by changing a person’s diet and focusing primarily on the good fats and carbs.
The South Beach Diet works in three phases
The South Beach Diet works in three phases by substituting bad carbohydrates with good carbs.
PHASE I: The first phase of the South Beach Diet is the most challenging phase as a person must eat normal meals of meat, fish, vegetables, eggs, cheese nuts and garden salads using 100% olive oil for salad dressing. The diet especially the first phase is difficult because it is very restrictive what people can or can’t eat. Alcohol is forbidden.
PHASE II: Once the two weeks are completed, phase two of the foods that people had to cut out such as breads, rice, potatoes, pasta, baked goods and pastries can be included as long as moderation is practiced. Also, some alcohol can also be taken in. By phase two, it is expected that cravings and bad eating habits are gone and that you will be eating less food by this phase.
Also, by phase two, a person is expected to be 8 to 13 pounds lighter. The goal is that your outlook on eating will be changed.
Phase III: Once a person achieves your targeted weight, you will be in phase three which eating the foods you ate in phase 1 or phase two become common place and eating healthier. If you gain weight, then you need to modify the foods.
Granted, any diet is challenging but for the first phase, with it only being two weeks long, this is manageable. And also, for better results, this includes making lifestyle adjustments such as daily exercising, drinking more water and focus and self-determination.
If you can get over the first phase of not eating foods with bad carbs and bad fats, your pretty much set for phase two and sooner or later, phase three. You should see the results and your target weight will be accomplished. Most of all, this diet is safe, no hurtful side effects and it’s not really expensive and most of all… it’s possible.
So, this is pretty much how the South Beach Diet works. Of course, before participating in any diet, please make sure you contact your physician and/or dietitian, especially if you have been diagnosed with a condition, so you can be monitored.
