Why Is There So Much Publicity Over The South Beach Diet?
The South Beach Diet originated in the U.S. cardiologist Arthur Agatston. The diet comprises a mix of healthy carbohydrates and fats, that are combined together to create a balanced, heart-healthy diet. The foods excluded from South Beach comprise ones Dr. Agatston considers to be bad carbohydrates. Foods that contain bad carbohydrates such as white rice and white potatoes are excluded from the diet, while foods like brown rice and sweet potatoes are acceptable for people on the diet.
Dr. Agastston’s diet was originally developed to help his heart patients by treating their insulin resistance. This side effect of eating too many unhealthy carbs can adversely affect the body’s ability to convert fat and sugar. Eating these unhealthy carbohydrates can make heart problems worse.
The South Beach Diet is comprised of three main phases. In every section, the South Beach dieter has to ingest the prescribed foods and keep from eating foods that have bad fats in them. The initial step lasts for 14 days, during which time the dieter will see his insulin resistance end. The body’s extra fat will then be burned, which can cause the dieter to lose 13 pounds during this period. Three daily meals of meat, vegetables, eggs, fish and cheese are eaten, with nuts eaten as snacks. Most of these foods contain some degree of healthy fats that are good for the heart. The dieter will not be left hungry or craving sweet snacks because meals and snacks are eaten regularly.
Phase two is the time to add some healthy dairy products, fruit and whole grain foods to the South Beach Diet. The portions of these foods are kept small and the rest of the diet continues with proteins and healthy fats and carbohydrates. Red wine is allowed in moderation during this step. During phase two, the dieter can expect to lose up to two pounds a week. This phase is continued until the dieter reaches his goal weight.
Step three is simply managing the weight loss and keeping the weight from returning. Throughout this phase the South Beach dieter eats three fruit and whole grain servings every day along with the other foods. The dieter eats six times a day, which includes both meals and snacks. This final phase is effective for both keeping off extra weight and keeping the heart healthy.
With this diet, there’s no calorie counting and no reason to ever be hungry. Dr. Agatston recommends eating enough to feel full rather than keeping meals too small to be satisfying. This prevents hunger from causing binges. The diet also recommends that the foods eaten be as natural as possible, rather than mainly foods that have been processed. The diet allows lean meats but discourages meats with too much fat. Foods that have been formulated with the recommended foods are available from Kraft under the name South Beach Living.
In the last few years, the diet has been studied to decide how productive the South Beach Diet really is. Two studies over the last few years showed the public that the subjects on the South Beach diet in the studies did lose weight while following the South Beach Diet.
