South Beach Diet reviews
Pluses
South beach diet is based on the right carbohydrate and fat intake. It is not low-carb or low-fat diet but it is a diet that will help lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart diseases and diabetes. Some experts opine that it is a step ahead of Atkins diet.
Dr. Agaston, inventor of this diet has also published a book on this diet plan and is really helpful for those who want to go for this diet. South beach diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein, and it doesn't omit any major food groups.
Thus at the end of two weeks, most dieters on the South Beach Diet lose upto 8 to 14 pounds. Less intake of carbs helps break a bad eating cycle. Let us review the three phases in south beach diet.
Phase-1 Duration 14 days
In the first phase, you eat normal-sized helpings of lean meats, such as chicken, turkey, fish, and shellfish. Vegetables are also allowed, so are nuts, cheese, and eggs. The goal is to eat three balanced meals a day, and to eat enough so that you don?t feel hungry all the time.
Allowed Food Item
Tenderloin, sirloin, all types of fish,skinless chicken or turkey breasts, boiled ham, green vegetables, fat free cheeses, olive oil etc.
Food items not allowed
Beef rib sticks, yoghurt, ice-cream, red meat, alcohol
Phase-2 Lasts Until You Reach Weight Loss Goal
The second phase is similar to the first phase, but you reintroduce some of the banned foods and eat from all the dietary food groups. You can start eating high-fibre carbohydrates, such as whole-grain breads, which raise your insulin levels in a much milder way that do simple, starchy carbohydrates. Additional Diet Foods to enjoy include, most fruits, fat-free or 1 percent milk, other low-fat dairy foods, whole grain starches, barley and pinto beans and red wine.
Phase-3 Maintenance
This phase is easy to follow and should be followed for the rest of life according to the creator of this diet. The weight lost in initial stages should be maintained and this is how one should go about it.
Minuses
- First phase is veryt hard and failure can cause getting back to old eating habits
- 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.
- It doesn't fully cater for people who can't eat dairy products as few snacks are dairy-based.
- South beach diet doesn't take into account Complex carbohydrates