South Beach Diet

The South Beach diet was developed by a cardiologist, Arthur Agatston, practicing in the Miami, Florida area. This way of eating is frequently confusingly compared to the Atkins diet, which is a low-carbohydrate diet, while the South Beach Diet emphasizes so-called "good carbohydrates", mainly ones that are high in fiber or nutrition, and typically low in glycemic index. The South Beach diet was developed for cardiac patients to lose weight without risking ketosis.

The diet also emphasizes the difference between good and bad carbohydrates, combinations of foods, and good and bad fats. Good carbohydrates have a low glycemic index, that is, they are digested and absorbed slowly. Eating fiber or fat with carbohydrates will slow their digestion. Good fats are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Saturated and trans fats are bad

The Phases

The first phase of the South Beach Diet is to banish your cravings. You can eat normal-size helpings of meat, turkey, fish, shellfish and chicken, as well as eating many vegetables, eggs, nuts and cheese. During the first phase of the South Beach Diet you will eat three meals a day and you will eat to satisfy your hunger. You will not eat bread, potatoes, pasta, rice or baked goods for the first 14 days. You can’t even eat fruits. However, after being on the South Beach Diet for two weeks you will begin to eat these foods again. After this phase of the diet your body chemistry should begin to change. You should not experience as many cravings for the foods that can be considered “bad carbs” and “bad fats.”

In the second phase of the South Beach Diet, you will reintroduce carbs into your diet. If you really loved bread, you can eat bread again. Perhaps you are more of a pasta person, and then you can eat pasta. You will have to decide which of these foods you want to indulge in. You cannot eat all of these foods all of the time. You should find that you do not even have strong cravings for many of these foods. However, you should not deny yourself when you really do feel hungry for something. You can eat a dessert once in awhile without jeopardizing your weight loss. Stay in phase two of the South Beach Diet while you continue to lose weight. Once you lose the desired weight go to phase three.

Phase three of the South Beach Diet is known as a diet for life. This plan should become more of a way of life than a diet over time. You can eat foods you like and in normal-sized portions. Of course, you still must continue to eat the right carbs and the right fats. The South Beach Diet brings changes to your body, thus changing the way your body responds to food. These changes will benefit your cardiovascular system and your overall health.

For some, the restrictions of the South Beach Diet can be difficult, especially in the beginning. However, the South Beach Diet can help you to lose weight. If you are overweight or obese it is beneficial to diet. You can lose some weight so that you feel better about yourself. More importantly in losing weight you will improve your health. Being overweight can increase your risk of many health problems. If you lose weight, you will be at less of a risk for developing diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease. If the South Beach Diet is successful for you, it can help you to live a longer, healthier life.

Criticisms of the diet

The diet is inaccurate when it fearmongers about ketosis. Ketosis is necessary for the loss of body fat, usually during the long overnight fast known as sleep. Perhaps the diet is referring to ketoneuria, the presence of ketones in the urine which is encouraged in the Atkin's diet, which also does not represent a risk