The South Beach Diet Reviewed

One of the many perks of living in Florida as I do is the close proximity to South Beach. One of the most beautiful beaches in the world, you will see more than your fair share of fit people there.

It is no surprise then that a diet that fosters visions of being one of the beautiful people emerged from this tropical paradise. Is it possible? Let's find out.

The South Beach Diet is the creation of Dr. Arthur Agatston. He developed this eating plan to aid his patients in preventing heart disease, but soon discovered it had an unexpected side effect of impressive weight loss.

This plan takes a different approach to the low-carb diet in that it restricts saturated fats, which have been medically proven to be a factor in heart disease and high cholesterol. One of the debatable claims of this diet is that it promises your sugar and carbohydrate cravings will disappear because your blood sugar level is being maintained. The diet also promises that you will lose 8-12 pounds the first two weeks if you follow the programs outlined in The South Beach Diet Book.

Much like other famous diets, The South Beach Diet is comprised of three phases.

Phase one is the toughest. For two weeks, you must remove starches such as bread, pasta, fruit, potatoes and baked goods (Everything that tastes good!). To make it tougher, you must completely give up sugars (Ouch!).

What will you be eating? Well, you will get three balanced meals and snacks everyday that include lean meats and fish, eggs, fresh vegetables, bean, nuts, and low-fat cheese.

The second phase allows you to begin eating small amounts of fruits, breads, and pastas. You get one carbohydrate with one meal each day for a week. You then will gradually work your way up to two or three healthy carbohydrates a day. You must continue this phase until you meet the goal weight you set for yourself before starting. The final phase is of course the maintenance stage. Here you continue to maintain your goal weight by using your newfound eating strategies.

You can pick up plenty of South Beach Diet recipes in the book and can also find some free ones on the internet by doing a search. Recently, The South Beach Diet has come out with a line of bars, shakes and prepackaged meals that you can get at grocery stores. One component that seems to be lacking is an emphasis on exercise. Coming from a cardiologist, this would seem to be an integral part of any weight loss plan, but no specific exercises are given in the book which is surprising.

Is this just another fad diet dressed up in palm trees and blue water?

Well, I don't think so.

The South Beach Diet does have some sound principals such as the emphasis on vegetables and low fat, but is lacking in other areas such as exercise. There are also some claims made such as the amount of weight that you will lose that I have a problem with. My only advice is not to let the romantic name sway you. Understand that it is hard for most people to give up sugars and carbohydrates, so be prepared! But if you think that you can handle it, give it a try!

You can read more about the South Beach Diet weight-loss-programs-info.com/south-beach-diet here.

Joel Dreher is a former exercise physiologist, teacher, coach, and administrator who now works full time on the internet. He is currently building what he intends to be the largest weight loss website in the world with reviews of every diet, supplement, and weight loss aid on the market today. You can read more reviews by visiting his website at: weight-loss-programs-info.com weight-loss-programs-info.com