The South Beach Diet tries to be all things to all people. It is a designer weight loss plan created by Dr. Arthur Agatson, cardiologist. Its scientific tone is in the attempt to learn to combine correctly carbohydrates and fats.
Dr. Agatston says decreasing the bad carbs will help you metabolize what you eat more effectively and will also improve insulin resistance, leading to weight loss. The diet is based on the Glycemic Index.
Both South Beach and Atkins diets restrict carbohydrates -- carbs, as diet dilettantes like to say. True, "good carbs" are allowed. But South Beach dieters must say goodbye to potatoes, fruit, bread, cereal, rice, pasta, beets, carrots, and corn for the first two weeks. After that, most of these foods remain strongly discouraged.
The South Beach Diet Phases
Phase 1, The Strictest Phase of the Diet - Lasts 14 days
Phase 2, More Liberal Phase Lasts Until You Reach Your Weight Loss Goal
Phase 3 - Weight Maintenance
Drawbacks of the South Beach
Much of the initial 8-13 pounds weight-loss is likely to be water-weight-loss caused by carbohydrate restriction. This weight loss is usually regained, as soon as carbohydrate intake resumes. A further drawback of the South Beach Diet is that it doesn't fully cater for people who don't or can't eat dairy. Many snacks are dairy-based, yet the diet bans soy in the first two weeks.
If you have diabetes or heart or kidney problems you ought to avoid the South Beach Diet program. Take the normal precautions and discuss your diet goals and plan with your healthcare professional. Choose a type of exercise that you enjoy and get with it, start moving and keep moving all through your lifetime.
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