The South Beach Diet gained its popularity in the early 2000 and was introduced by Dr. Arthur Agatston, MD. It was originally prescribed for overweight patients to prevent heart disease but later became popular among celebrities and weight loss enthusiast. The diet is designed to eliminate the body’s consumption of Trans fat or unsaturated fat found in animal based fats and fats used in processed food. Dr. Agatston recommends reducing the consumption of bad carbs to help your body metabolize or burn food. This will also help in improving insulin resistance that eventually leads to weight loss.
The south beach diet is divided into three phases;
The first phase
The strictest of all three phases is the first phase that lasts two weeks. It is designed to eliminate all sugars, processed carbohydrates, fruits and high glycemic vegetables. It is meant to eliminate cravings for sweets and it is possible to lose 14 pounds after completing the first two weeks. However, children and nursing women should skip this phase and follow the eating plan that is set for the second and third phase.
Foods allowed during the first phase
- Meat and poultry such as boiled ham, lean ground beef, turkey and chicken breasts, Canadian and turkey bacon
- All types of seafood
- Beans and at least one serving of nuts per day
- Vegetables
- Eggs
- Low fat cheese
Foods prohibited during the first phase
- Meats and poultry such as fatty cuts of beef, prime rib, dark meat chicken and turkey, and honey baked ham
- Certain vegetables including beets, carrots, corn, and green peas
- Starches such as bread, potatoes, cereal, pasta and rice
- Whole milk
- All alcohol
- All sweets including ice cream, baked goods and candy
The second phase
The second phase re introduces most fruits and vegetables and some grains. Carbohydrates are slowly added to the diet and the weight loss is reduced to the recommended rate of 1-2 pounds per week. The main goal is to expand and make wise decisions in choosing what type of food to eat. It is also designed to continue weight loss at a slower rate and eat food that limits the cravings and limit weight gain. Phase two of the South Beach Diet is finding the right carb level that works for you.
In this phase, it is important to pay attention to how your body reacts to certain type of food. If a certain food makes you crave for more, that is not the right food for you. If you feel light headed, choose another type of food.
The third phase
After completing the first two phases, you can eat any type of food you want. At this point, you would already know what type of food will not make you gain weight but maintain the weight you already lost. It is at this point that your eating habit is already a part of your lifestyle so it will no longer be difficult for you to choose the right food.
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