South Beach Diet Food

The South Beach Diet steals from other fad diets to put together a new healthier version of the low carb diet plan. It was founded by a respected cardiologist looking for a diet to help his heart patients live a healthier lifestyle. His book was released in 2003 and the diet has remained consistently popular with people who are struggling to lose weight.

The South Beach Diet foods reportedly don’t cut out entire food groups or ask you to starve yourself. You must give up some foods but not all your favorite foods. You don’t eat at strange times of the day or are limited to snacking on carrots. The advantage to the South Beach Diet foods is that it teaches people what foods work in the body and how to lose weight.

Even though the diet was founded by a doctor and it has been popular you should consult your own doctor to determine that this particular diet will not have negative effects on your current health status. Low carb diets, like the South Beach Diet, place a considerable stress on the kidneys. If your current health status isn’t prepared for the stress it can lead to more complications than it solves.

The South Beach Diet foods work, using the glycemic index as an indicator of the types of sugars and carbohydrates that are acceptable on the diet. Foods that are rated with a lower glycemic index number also have a slower release of energy and keep you feeling fuller for a longer period of time.

The South Beach Diet foods has three stages. In the first stage, that takes two weeks, the diet severely limits the carbohydrates a participant is able to eat. This initial phase is very challenging and many people are not able to complete it. During this phase you are faced with cravings and limiting the number of foods that you would normally eat – cold turkey. Water weight is the majority of weight that is lost during this time so your weight may fluctuate during these weeks.

It is helpful to go through the house and eliminate all the foods you can’t eat completely before starting the diet. This works only if you are the only one living in the house or everyone is on the same diet. More realistically you may have to place foods that are off limits to you on special shelves of the refrigerator or cabinets in the kitchen that you know are off limits.

After the initial phase, the South Beach Diet foods focus on controlling your cravings. This is done so that you can reintroduce foods you might like, but in moderation. These foods may not be healthy on their own, but eaten in moderation and in combination with other foods they aren’t as damaging to your health.

As you are learning to control your cravings, you are also learning how to make permanent changes to your every day diet. These changes will lead your diet choices for years and will help you to maintain healthy eating habits that lead to a healthy weight.

Healthy carbohydrates and fiber are important to staying healthy. During the initial few weeks you are limited to the number that are allowed on the diet. This also limits your vitamins, minerals and fiber. Although this is a temporary restriction you should take a multi-vitamin and fiber supplement to offset the limitations. Using a vitamin and mineral supplement following reintroduction of other foods is optional, although recommended, since it is difficult for most people to eat all the foods necessary to receive the necessary vitamins and minerals for a healthy life.

Weight loss is challenging to most and necessary for some. The South Beach Diet foods give you an option of a structured diet that allows for some flexibility while determining the kinds and amounts of foods you are able to eat. Although weight loss can happen on any diet using a negative calorie balance, for some the added structure is a way to add strength to their struggle.

Resources:

South Beach: What Can I Eat

http://www.southbeachdiet.com/diet/what-can-i-eat-phase-1

Low Carb Friends: Phase 1 Food List and Sample Menu

http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/south-beach-diet/344806-phase-1-food-list-sample-menu.html

Women’s Health: The South Beach Diet MegaFoods

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/superfoods

Prevention: South Beach Diet Gluten Solution

http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/south-beach-diet-gluten-solution-phase-1

ChewFo: The South Beach Diet Gluten Solution

http://www.chewfo.com/diets/the-south-beach-diet-gluten-solution-by-arthur-agatston-md-2013-what-to-eat-and-foods-to-avoid-food-list/

MayoClinic: South Beach Diet