The South Beach Diet
South Beach Diet Summary
The South Beach diet is all about eating the right carbs and the right fats. It recommends swapping sugary carbs for slow-release carbs with a low Glycaemic Index, and swapping bad saturated fat for unsaturated. Three meals a day, and no portion size restrictions.
The South Beach program is divided into three phases. In Phase 1, for 2 weeks you focus on high protein meats, dairy products and beans / olive oil; you are more or less are banned from all carbs, and can eat only a few veg. In Phase 2, you go back to including some low-GI carbohydrates, and continue to slim down to your target weight. In Phase 3, you bring in more foods, but don't quit the diet - ever!
History of the South Beach Diet Program
Arthur Agatston is the founder of the South Beach diet, a cardiologist from Miami in Florida. It's pretty recent - his book was published in 2003. The scientific principles around insulin and carbohydrates are based on some of the same science behind the Zone and GI diets.
Foods to Eat
- Phase 1: Lean meat, fish and fish oil, chicken, low-fat cheese, olive oil, nuts, broccoli
- Phase 2: As phase 1 plus wholegrain cereals, pasta and milk
- Phase 3: Most good things are back in, but still in moderation
Foods to Avoid
- Carbohydrates like rice, pasta and cereals which contain lots of stored sugar, especially in Phase 1
- Sweets, chocolate, cakes, fizzy drinks, caffeine, alcohol
Other relevant pages on Fit and Trim:
Top Tips to Succeed on the South Beach Plan
- Cut down on caffeine - no more than one cup of coffee or tea a day
- Drink plenty of water, as much as 8 glasses a day
- Consider taking calcium supplements
- Stay off the bad, sugary carbs
- Be patient - your weight 3 months from now is more important than this week
Watch Outs and Health Risks
Emphasis on veg and fruit, plus low-fat proteins is good. Healthy carbs is OK, but cutting out too many carbs may not be healthy. And the target weight loss rate, as much as a stone in the first 2 weeks, could be dangerous and/or demoralising when you see it come back on.
Celebrities on The South Beach
Jessica Simpson, Bill and Hilary Clinton and Nicole Kidman are rumoured fans.
More info: Links and South Beach Diet Books
Discuss the South Beach Diet on our Diet Forums
Latest South Beach Diet News
Read more about the South Beach Diet at Wikipedia
Buy Arthur Agatston books from Amazon.co.uk on the South Beach Diet
