General:
The South Beach Diet is divided into three phases. The first phase lasts two weeks and is designed to eliminate cravings and kick-start weight loss. The second phase is intended to produce long-term, steady weight loss. This phase lasts until you reach a healthy weight. The final phaseteaches you how to maintain your new healthy weight.
Types of food allowed:
Lean meat, chicken, seafood, eggs, low fat dairy foods, nuts, vegetables, artificial sweeteners, limited carbohydrates
Advantages:
Rapid weight loss during first two weeks when carbohydrates are greatly reduced. Program emphasizes cutting out 'bad' fat and choosing 'good' fat as part of a heart healthy diet. Recipes choices are appealing and there is a large variety, some based of popular restaurant selections.
Disadvantages:
This program uses the "Glycemic Index" to identify 'good' and 'bad' carbohydrates. Unfortunately, the glycemic index can only be applied this way if a carbohydrate is eaten singly; if eaten in combination with other foods, it changes the glycemic index and the food's effect on glucose metabolism.
Health Issues:
The severe carbohydrate restriction in the first two weeks may cause problems for some. After carbohydrates are added back in, this diet is heart healthy and emphasizes making good food choices. Regulating cholesterol does not seem to be an area of focus; however, and may cause problems for those monitoring cholesterol levels.
External Resources
Homepage:
South Beach Diet Online Homepage
Reviews:
Serious Weight Loss only links to information published by reputable professionals or their associated web sites. We do not link to articles that contain advertisements for spin off or 'better choice' diet plans. At the time of this publication, Serious Weight Loss could find no information for this category that meets the criteria above.
Overviews:
Beginner's Guide to the South Beach Diet