The South Beach Diet Information

From eDiets

Summary

Dr. Arthur Agatston, a cardiologist at Mt. Sinai Medical Center, developed the South Beach Diet. The diet is a low carbohydrate diet and it was created for the purpose of lowering cholesterol for heart patients and those with diabetes. During the initial stages of the diet all simple sugars and carbohydrates are eliminated almost entirely (sweets, pasta, most breads, etc.). This type of restriction will lower caloric intake, thereby causing weight loss. The book does focus on decreased carbohydrate consumption in a healthier manner. The diet program focuses on consuming complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and lean fats and proteins.

Suited for

Cardiac patients, diabetics and the In-Crowd. Must be dedicated and motivated to get through the first two weeks.

Foods

Phase 1. This is the strictest part of The South Beach Diet. For two weeks, you'll be totally eliminating fruit, bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, sugar, alcohol, and baked goods. This means you'll be eliminating many foods you may be accustomed to eating. However, after the initial two weeks are up, you then enter Phase 2. This is when you begin to add the excluded foods (the "good" carbs") back into your diet. The good carbohydrates include, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Phase 3: A Diet for Life. Continue eating good carbs, lean fats and proteins, and maintain healthy eating for the rest of your life. The Meal Plan offers hundreds of delicious recipes for whatever phase of the diet you're in. Tips are provided on how to eat in restaurants and make over your favorite foods.

The Glycemic Index lists over 220 foods and tells you how much each one increases your blood sugar levels and contributes to weight gain. The Foods to Avoid and Enjoy sections offer additional guidelines on what to eat and what not to eat in each phase of the diet. In the Food Guide, you'll learn why eating can make you hungry and how combinations of foods can alter your metabolism

Support

On the South Beach Diet Online, you will have access to South Beach Diet nutritionists and other dieters who are following the plan. The Beach Buddies program lets you follow the diet with a friend. You'll find ways to track your progress, get advice and support, and create meals. If you have questions while following the South Beach Diet, on the Web site, you can get advice from Dr. Agatston and his nutritionists via chats and message boards. In addition, eDiets offers customized food plans that include access to all of their resources, including 24/7 support and Information.

Thoughts

Much of the initial weight loss is likely due to water weight loss caused by carbohydrate restriction. Such weight loss is typically regained, as soon as carb intake resumes. The South Beach Diet lacks options for people who do not like or cannot eat dairy. Many snacks are dairy based; yet the diet bans soy in the first two weeks. Despite some of the heath benefits of the South Beach Diet, it is best to seek the advice of a registered dietitian or your physician before undertaking any diet plan that induces ketosis (as a result of carb restriction) because the body is losing water and this might cause an electrolyte imbalance without proper fluid intake. In addition, low carb diet plans are not generally recommended for anyone with kidney problems. The South Beach Diet does offer sensible advice about fat, hunger, refined foods and balanced eating. If you can stick to the South Beach Diet, it is a decent choice.

More Information:

South Beach Diet for Beginners
Q: I've decided to start The South Beach Diet. What advice can you give me before I dive in?

South Beach Diet Online
By dieting online you can start shedding your extra pounds, no matter what your weight-loss goal is. And you'll be able to get specific information and meet other dieters with similar goals...

South Beach Versus Low Fat: Research
Participants who followed The South Beach Diet model lost twice as much weight as those following the portion-controlled, low-fat plan and also showed greater losses in body fat...

South Beach Diet Plateau
Q: I began the South Beach Diet 3 years ago in the first year I lost 90 lb. going down to 200 lb.. I joined Curves and have been working out 4 days a week. At that point I hit a wall and could not lose any more no matter how strict I was...

Super Foods For Every Phase
The South Beach Diet encourages you to reap the benefits from nutrient-dense whole foods, rather than trying to get those nutrients from supplements or fortified food products. Here are some delicious antioxidant-packed foods to incorporate into your meal plans...

Following the South Beach Diet with a friend...
...is a great way to stay motivated while sharing tips and strategies. That's why the South Beach Diet Online offers the Beach Buddies feature, which allows you to pair up with other members to support each other in reaching your individual goals....

Success Stories: "I can slide between the two cars in my garage! "
On my birthday, I weighed 145.5 pounds, and I decided I'd had enough of living and feeling the way I did. That's when I started the South Beach Diet Now just three months later I'm 126.5 pounds and on my way to 115!

Fat: Friend or Foe?
The South Beach Diett encourages you to enjoy the good fats. Not only are they considered essential fats, meaning you must consume them in your diet to maintain good health, but they also add flavor and texture to foods and help you feel satisfied. Certain fats, the so-called bad fats, should be avoided, since they contribute to heart disease and stroke. Here's a rundown...

South Beach Diet Fitness Club
Take another step toward enjoying a healthier life. Dr. Arthur Agatston, leading preventative cardiologist and creator of the South Beach Diet, says, "I know that achieving optimal health and maintaining a sensible body weight involves two key components: following a healthy eating plan and getting regular exercise. With The South Beach Diet I brought my patients -- and you -- a delicious eating plan made up of fiber-rich, nutrient-dense foods, like poultry, fish, lean red meats, and fruits and vegetables, as well as beans and whole grains. That was more than a decade ago, but the overwhelmingly positive response endures because it's easy to follow, beneficial to your health, and fits seamlessly into your life so you can follow it forever. And that means you don't just lose weight, you keep it off...

South Beach Tips - Shopping
Navigating the grocery store can be a challenge if you're new to South Beach Diet ...

South Beach Diet Tips - Family Meals

With a little forethought and planning, you can purchase and prepare South Beach Diet-friendly foods that the whole family will enjoy. And as an additional benefit, your loved ones will enjoy better health as you lose weight andbecome more vital. Just keep these guidelines in mind when preparing family dinners...

Eight Timesaving Tips
For some of us, taking the time to shop and cook healthy meals as outlined on The South Beach Diet seems like a luxury we can't afford it's just easier to pick up the phone and order take-out. But here's an interesting spin: Eating regular, healthy meals reduces stress, which will actually helpyou manage your time better. Still, if you're having trouble carving out time for meal preparation, here are eight simple timesaving tips...