South Beach
Diet Review
Dr. Arthur Agatson developed the South Beach diet in order
to change the way bodies accept fat and carbohydrates.
The diet was developed around the idea if a body can get out
of the habit of craving sugar, it can actually accept the right
fats and carbohydrates and thus lose weight.
How It Works
There are three phases of this diet.
During phase one, the processed sugars can no longer be
consumed. The first stage lasts fourteen days, and during that
time, bread, fruit, sugary snacks, rice and pasta cannot be
eaten.
It is believed that it takes two weeks to break a physical
habit, which is why dieters have to go two weeks without sugar.
The two week timeframe is supposed to work to eliminate sugar
cravings.
After phase one, dieters can move onto the less restrictive
phase two. This phase is meant to teach dieters how to manage
sugars.
In order to do this, the foods that were prohibited in the
first phase are slowly brought back into the diet.
The key during phase two is to only eat those foods in
moderation. Sugars are managed and only normal portions are
eaten until the dieter reaches the goal weight.
After the goal weight is reached, the weight must be
maintained, which is what phase three is for.
During this phase, dieters will not be deprived of foods
they want to eat, but they will also eat foods that will keep
their weight stable so they do not regain any weight.
Dieters are able to refer to the South Beach Diet book in
order to find out the foods they can eat during each phase of
the diet.
Preparing Meals
Those who use the diet are supposed to avoid processed foods
as much as possible and eat fresh meat and vegetables. In
addition, they are supposed to eat low carb meals.
By preparing their own meals, dieters can eat healthy and
get more nutrients into their system.
Be prepared for the price of some of the foods, though. Some
of the meat, seafood and seasonings are expensive.
Those who have children may have to prepare extra meals.
They might have to prepare two meals, one for the children and
one for themselves.
If dieters do not like that option, they can make a starch.
Children can add the starch to their meals. It is important
that dieters avoid the starch, though, or they will not get the
results they want.
Those who do not want to have to prepare every meal can look
at grocery stores for the South Beach Diet meals. The meals
have the logo on their boxes. One can find snack bars and
frozen meals made specifically for those on the South Beach
Diet.
Vegetarians need to be mindful of the requirements of the
diet. During the first phase, it would be difficult for a
vegetarian, as meat, vegetables and nuts are the main foods
eaten. In addition, someone who really does not care for those
foods might have a difficult time in the first phase.
The Bottom
Line
South Beach
Diet Review Conclusion
This diet does not come with an exercise plan, and one can
simply do the diet without exercise. The diet is meant to
change the way the body processes and craves food, which means
exercise is not necessary. However, one can exercise on the
diet as well.
The first phase of the diet can be restrictive for some
people. If you really want to lose weight and got serious
willpower during the first two weeks, you will get past it and
find it easier to deal with later phases to keep the fat
off.
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