South Beach Diet
The South Beach Diet combines several proven diet strategies. So let’s take a look at what the diet consists of.
Phase 1: The first 2 weeks on this diet eliminates all sources of carbohydrates except vegetables. Now while you are on the diet during this phase you are allowed normal-sized portions of meat, poultry, shellfish, eggs, low-fat cheese, nuts, beans, and vegetables.
The truly impressive aspect of this day is that during this first two weeks the program promises an amazing 8-13 pounds. The reason they can promise such an impressive weight loss amount is due to mostly lost water weight.
This high initial weight loss is very important to help us stay motivated and maintain the diet.
Phase 2: At this point carbohydrates are reintroduced into your diet. However, this doesn’t mean that you get free rein to eat whatever you want. The diet uses the glycemic index to identify good carbohydrates.
During this phase the weight loss slows to 1-2 pounds a week.
During phase two you are encouraged to choose complex carbohydrates like whole grain breads and pastas, fruits and vegetables. You continue to eat lean protein sources and healthy monounsaturated fats like olive and canola oils. Good news, you can have wine, but no beer or liquor. The diet recommends adding these foods back into the diet slowly until you are sure you will not over-indulge. You stay at this phase until you reach your weight loss goal.
Phase 3: Phase three is the maintenance phase, which should be viewed as a lifestyle and no longer a diet. While this phase continues the basic principles of phase two it does allow for indulgences. You are encouraged to continue to have complex carbohydrates, monounsaturated fats and lean protein sources make up the bulk of your diet. However, you are no longer restricted when it comes to other foods.
This diet is built on solid principles of weight loss. It is a much safer diet in the long term than some of the popular low carb diets out there as it doesn’t cut out any single food group and promotes a well balanced diet. So definitely give the south beach diet a try.
To learn more about the South Beach Diet, please visit their website.