South Beach Diet

South Beach diet was developed by cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatston. The diet first became popular in Miami and was then developed into book form, which has become a best-seller throughout the country.

The diet is not about low-carbs or low-fat. Instead, the diet teaches you to rely on the right kind of carbs and the right kind of fats.

Agatston has created a modified carbohydrate plan, with plenty of high-fiber foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats, while cutting bread, rice, pastas, and fruits.

The diet is a based on three phases that in total last for the rest of your life. Therefore, this is not a quick-fix diet, but instead a diet plan for a changed dietary lifestyle.

In fact, most of the more popular diet plans today take that complete approach to changing your lifestyle and habits.

Some also stress the mental side of motivation and keeping on track, as well as the physical side, exercising to keep fit. Here, there is less focus on those last-mentioned issues.

South Beach Diet Phases

The first phase of the diet is about banishing your cravings. Possibly the worst undermining factor on a weight-loss plan is the distressing sensation that you need more food.

On the first phase, according to Agora Media, the company behind the South Beach diet success online, you'll eat normal-size helpings of meat, chicken, turkey, fish, and shellfish.

Also, you will eat vegetables, eggs, cheese, and nuts. You'll have salads with olive oil in the dressing.

At this stage of the South Beach diet there will be three balanced meals a day plus snacks.

However, for the first 14 days, you won't be having any bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, or baked goods. This is to help you get rid of the cravings (they'll be back in the diet after the two weeks).

The phase two is about reintroducing carbs again. However, the weight loss that started at phase one will continue because you'll be eating fewer of the foods that used to create those urges. The phase 2 continues and you continue lose weight as long as you reach your goal.

When the goal is reached, the South Beach diet plan transforms into more liberal form, which will help you maintain your ideal weight.

The third phase lasts the rest of your life. When you get to this point, the plan is less like a diet and more like a way of life.

You'll be eating normal foods in normal-size portions. The continuing thing to do is to remember to live by the few basic rules of the South Beach diet.

South Beach Diet - Resources

To start on the diet plan, you can buy the available book that has all the rules in it. The book is titled "The South Beach Diet: The Delicious, Doctor-Designed, Foolproof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss". The book is also available in audio cassette and audio CD formats.

There are also companion books to the basic book, such as the "South Beach Diet Good Fats/Good Carbs Guide: The Complete and Easy Reference for All Your Favorite Foods".

In addition, the official South Beach diet web site is full of helpful tools and advice.

To mention few of these things, there are message boards to get support, the ability to keep an online journal, plus a weight tracker to type in your weight, plot your progress, and learn how to stay on course.

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