The South Beach Diet claims that it is not low
in carbs or low in fat, but that weight loss is achieved by learning
to eat the right carbs and the right fat.
The plan is based on the principle that certain
types of carbohydrates cause people to gain weight. Carbohydrates are
allowed on the diet but are put into good and bad categories.
The South Beach Diet is divided into three phases.
The first phase is aimed at banishing your cravings. It lasts for two
weeks and is based on a restricted plan of three meals and two snacks
a day.
In the first phase the foods that you can
eat include lean cuts of meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs, low-fat
or fat-free cheese and some nuts. Low glycaemic index vegetables (e.g.
broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, celery), olive or rapeseed oil. The foods
that you can't eat include bread, potatoes, pasta, rice or baked
products. Fruit, fruit juices, milk, yoghurt, full-fat cheese, butter,
alcohol, sweets, cakes and any sugary foods.
The second phase of the South Beach Diet allows
the reintroduction of carbs. This phase lasts until you reach your target
weight. During this phase you can eat fruits except bananas,
pineapple, raisins and watermelon. Limited amounts of granary bread,
wholegrain cereals such as brown rice, wholemeal pasta, low-fat dairy
products, wine and limited amounts of bitter-sweet or semi-sweet chocolate.
The foods you can't eat include refined breads and cereals, white
potatoes, beetroot, carrots and corn. Your weight loss slows a little
during this stage in comparison to phase one. You are given the option
to continue phase one for another week if you think you can maintain
the strictness of it.
The third phase is not aimed at promoting weight
loss but adapting the diet as part of a healthy ongoing lifestyle regimen.
This phase allows for more variety but is basically more of the same
from the previous two phases. You are allowed to fall off the wagon
occasionally and go back to phase one if you feel it's necessary and
then go back to phase three.
Look below for some other popular diets that
you may want to try or have a look in the directory to the right for
other weight loss subjects.
DotWeightLoss
