The South Beach Diet was designed by Cardiologist Arthur Agatston. The diet has 3 phases with phase 1 lasted for 2 weeks. Phase 1 is where you develop good eating habits to move into phase 2. Phase 3 of the diet is the maintenance stage. The South Beach Diet uses “good” carbs and “good” fat along with lean meats. The premise is to eat low glycemic foods usually found in complex carbs and protein and avoid high glycemic foods which increases excess insulin production and prevents the body from burning fat effeciently.

Phase 1 even eliminates cereals, fruits, potatoes and dairy products along with sugar and bread. Phase 1 is “hard core” so that you minimize any foods that may excess insulin to be released, therefore maximizing your fat loss. After 2 weeks, phase 2 begins and allows some whole grain breads, cereals, fruits and dairy to be slowly returned to the diet.

The diet calls for 6 meals a day that include breakfast, lunch and dinner with between meals snacks. There is no counting calories and allows the person to eat until statisfied. Some people have reported losing as much as 12 pounds during the first few weeks of this diet.

Benefit: Diet includes healthy foods and exclude unhealthy foods found in junk carbs. The South Beach Diet also allows “good” fat (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated) which contrary to popular opinion helps you lose weight. The South Beach diet is sensible particularly after the first few weeks. Many people have reported losing weight with this diet.

Our Evaluation: The first few weeks of this diet is like boot camp and excludes healthy whole grains, fruits and some vegetables such as potatoes to help jump start your weight loss. However, these foods are slowly added back after the first few weeks. Overall, this is a good diet plan that is sensible. The South Beach Diet contains all the components for losing weight especially eating 6 times per day. It’s a good diet plan that’s easier to follow.

-------------------------------

We specialize in personal diet plans that will help you lose 1 to 2 pounds each week. Our menus are sensible and easy to stick with. Click personal diet plan to get started.

For more ideas on foods that burn fat, please see our home page ….  Super Foods that Burn Fat

For similar diet check out the Sugar Buster Diet  or Atkins Diet