South Beach Diet

A popular diet plan, the South Beach Diet is recommended as effective weight-loss solution by many doctors, cardiologists and dieters.

According to consumer feedback, most users have lost weight by following the instructions closely.

Cardiologist and creator of the South Beach Diet Dr. Arthur Agatston, claims that his weight-loss plan is easy to follow and healthy, since it is not based on prohibitions, but on regular consumption of varied “good” foods (including snacking).

Overview:

Some consider the South Beach Diet a heart-friendly version of the Atkins diet and although both diets show similarities particularly in the first two weeks, the South Beach Diet has a unique approach of its own.

On the South Beach Diet, dieters are not supposed to go hungry and are instructed to snack "strategically" during the day.

The aim is to eat normal portions (enough to satisfy hunger), without counting calories. It promotes healthy eating and healthy living long after people stop "dieting" and is therefore regarded as one of the leading diet choices by doctors, dieticians and consumers alike.

The South Beach diet (official website: www.southbeachdiet.com ), is a diet plan created by cardiologist Arthur Agatston in Miami, Florida, who is reportedly a New York University graduate.

Dr. Agatston claims to emphasize the consumption of "good carbohydrates" and "good fats" and allegedly developed this diet (in three phases) for his cardiac patients, based upon his study on dieting derived from scientific research.

There have been scientific studies exploring the efficiency of the South Beach Diet. Two notable ones were a 2004 study by Agatston, et al., which reviewed a 1998–1999 trial completed by 54 participants over the course of a year and a 2005 study conducted by Kraft Foods, which reviewed 69 subjects over the course of just under three months. Both studies allegedly concluded favorable results for the participants who were on the South Beach Diet.

The South Beach Diet was originally published as a book by the same name by Rodale Press, but is currently also available as an online program.

The makers of the South Beach Diet claim consumers will lose 8-12 pounds in the first two weeks if they stick to the guidelines.

Foods:

There are three phases to follow on this diet plan. The first one lasts about two or three weeks. During that period sugars are thoroughly banned. One is supposed to take three balanced meals a day consisting of lean meats and fish and certain sorts of diary, with some snacks including fresh vegetables, beans and nuts, eggs, low-fat cheese etc...

During the second phase whole wheat breads, healthy cereal and some fruits are being re-introduced.

The third phase, or maintenance, starts when people reach their goal weight and is not restricted by a specific time-frame. It is intended to last forever with the aim of maintaining good health and keeping excess weight off permanently.

Recipes:

The website contains plenty of recipes allowing customers to practically apply the South Beach diet. Furthermore, a range of South Beach Diet foods can be purchased in grocery stores (from frozen meals to cereals). However, most of these snacks and nutrition bars contain artificial sweeteners, which allegedly provoke gastrointestinal problems.

Pros:

• Promotes "clean" way of eating that doesn’t comprise refined sugars and trans fats
• Puts forward eating fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and heart-healthy fats, making it an eating plan rich in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids
• Medical science community supports it
• Has thousands of satisfied clients according to consumer reports
• Provides a maintenance plan

Cons:

• According to research, unless you’re diabetic, sugar levels actually don’t vary even if you eat a sugary candy bar
• Many South Beach Diet food products contain sugar-alcohols, which can be hard to tolerate
• Not designed for vegetarians
• May seem difficult to maintain because of the elimination of sugars, certain fruits (bananas) and other carbohydrates
• Scientific proof used by Dr. Agastaton (of certain foods’ ability to raise blood sugar levels or lead to gaining weight) may be inaccurate
• No exercise guidelines

Exercise:

The South Beach Diet itself does not provide guidelines for systematic exercise, despite the widely recognised advantages of combining a healthy diet with moderate exercise for optimum results.

The online program will cost ca $6/week.