By: http://www.eDietsToday.com
Are you tired of trying different types of diet plans because you do not see the results they promise or even if you did, the results are short-lived?
Well, it’s time you checked out the South Beach Diet. It is one of those rare diet plans that swear by adopting safe and healthy long-term eating habits.
It does not need you to permanently abstain from any major food groups (i.e. carbohydrates, proteins and fats).
In fact, it equips you with the knowledge of choosing the good carbs and fats over the bad ones. There is also no counting of calories. You get to eat normal foods in normal portions.
What can you eat or not eat?
A comforting thought would be to know that the South Beach Diet was created by a highly respected medical doctor, more specifically a cardiologist, by the name of Dr. Arthur Agatston. As with any new thing we try for the first time, in order to ensure success and avoid premature throwing in of the towel, it is best to begin with a phased approach, rather than a drastic change from what we are accustomed to.
The South Beach Diet consists of three phases – the first two are for a limited timeframe with the third being an ongoing lifestyle regime.
Phase 1 is the hardest phase to kick start your weight loss program. But thank goodness it is only for two weeks. In this phase, you continue to eat normal portions (meaning enough to satisfy your hunger and not make you feel stuffed) but you exclude carbohydrates from all your 3 meals and 2 snacks. This means no bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, cookies, cakes and ice cream. Even fruits, fruit juice, milk, yoghurt, cheese and alcohol are out. You are allowed lean cuts of meat, fish, eggs, low-fat cheese, non-fat yoghurt and low glycemic index (GI) vegetables e.g. asparagus, broccoli, cabbage and lettuce. Weight loss from this “harsh” phase ranges from 8 to 13 pounds. These 2 weeks also condition your body to no longer crave for bad carbs and fats. Most behaviors in life are habits and fortunately habits, no matter how ingrained they are, can be kicked. The good news is if we are able to stay away from a bad habit for 2 weeks, we probably can do so for life!
Phase 2 reintroduces some of the banned foods into your diet. These include good carbohydrates such as whole grains, pasta, fruits and vegetables but still exclude those with high GI e.g. banana, pineapple, raisins and watermelon. You can even indulge in small amounts of chocolate and ice cream. Again, Phase 2 recommends 3 meals a day with 2 snacks. You will continue to experience weight loss but at a slower rate of about 1 – 2 pounds per week. Although slower as compared to Phase 1, the weight loss in Phase 2 is sustainable so you should continue with it until you achieve your desired weight. How much time you need depends on how much you plan to lose.
Phase 3 is the maintenance and most liberal phase of the South Beach Diet. Now that you have achieved your desired weight, you just need to focus on eating normal foods (mainly low GI foods) in normal portions to maintain your weight. Occasional indulgences of sweet desserts are permitted too. Remember: It’s what you do/eat 80% of the time that counts, not the other 20%. Anytime you step out of your healthy weight range, simply go back to Phase 1 for a week or two. It really is that simple!
The South Beach Diet does not feel like a traditional diet plan. Rather it is one diet that promotes a lifestyle of healthy eating choices, with weight loss as a an added bonus!
