Established 2005
South Beach Diet Plan & Recipes
South Beach Diet plan, food list, guide and SouthBeach diet recipes
Among the most popular forms of dieting is the South Beach
diet, developed by cardiologist Arthur Agatston of Miami,
Florida.
The South Beach diet is always confused with Atkins Diet, which
is a low-carbohydrate diet. The South Beach diet highlights the
consumption of "good carbohydrates" (high in fiber) and low in
glycemic index. The South Beach diet was developed for patients
with heart problems to lose weight without risking ketosis. The
weight loss was a side effect which turned out to be beneficial
and this encouraged many people to try South Beach diet.
According to the South Beach diet theory, highly processed
carbohydrates are quickly digested which makes insulin level to
shoot up. Once the carbohydrates are all used up, your high
insulin level makes you crave more for carb-filled foods.
The South Beach diet is based on the observation that Americans
are carb crazy, which is also the reason for the induction
phase. In the first two weeks, dieters attempt to eliminate bad
carb such as grains or fruits. After this phase, grain-based
foods and fruits are returned to the diet with the
concentration on foods with low glycemic index.
The South Beach diet also emphasizes the difference between
good and bad carbohydrates, and good and bad fats. Good
carbohydrates have low glycemic index which means that they are
slowly digested and absorbed. The South Beach diet bans
unhealthy fats such as saturated fat.
Finally, the South Beach diet stresses a permanent change in
one's way of eating. The South Beach diet suggests whole grains
along with large amounts of vegetables, with sufficient amounts
of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, plus Omega-3 oils.
The South Beach diet discourages eating of overly refined foods
such as flour and sugar.
According to experts, the South Beach diet met the criteria of
healthy diet which is a good thing. The bad thing is the
induction phase wherein dieters lose weight due to loss of
water. Losing a large amount of water can disturb one's
electrolyte so if you're following the South Beach diet, it
would be better if you work closely with a doctor.
According to Dr. Agatston, South Beach diet is neither a low
carb nor low fat diet but the restrictions placed in the
induction phase cut big time the carbohydrate and fat intake of
dieters. The good thing about the South Beach diet is that it
teaches people on the right foods to eat to cut the risk of
heart problems and high cholesterol as well as help them lose
weight. The South Beach diet is a long, tedious journey towards
perhaps a drop dead gorgeous body. But more than phases of
losing weight, the South Beach diet is a way of life.
About The Author: Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links
and information about weight loss, please go to:
http://weight-loss.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and
information on all health related topics, go to:
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