Negative Side Effects of South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet is a nutritional approach that focuses on eating the "right" types of carbohydrates and fats. The diet consists of three phases: Phase I (induction), Phase 2 (weight loss), and Phase 3 (maintenance). Before embarking on Phase 1, you should consider the negative side effects of the South Beach Diet.

It Takes More Than Two Weeks to Break an Addiction to Carbs

• The South Beach Diet requires all Phase 1 dieters to avoid most carbs and sugars during the first two weeks of the diet. This rule is meant to help break a dieter's addiction to carbs. This can often have the opposite effect, however, with dieters craving the very foods that they are forbidden to eat. Many dieters make it through the first phase only to go completely crazy for carbs in the third and fourth weeks.

The South Beach Diet Does Not Put Enough Emphasis on Exercise

• The South Beach Diet places a strong emphasis on eating right but neglects to discuss the impact of daily exercise on overall physical health.

The Diet Promotes the Use of Artificial Sweetners

• The South Beach Diet book actively promotes the use of artificial sweeteners to stave off unwanted cravings. These artificial sweeteners are often as harmful---or more harmful---than the natural sweeteners the diet suggests actively avoids.

The First Phase of the Diet May Scare Potential Dieters Away

• Giving up carbs, sugars, and alcohol for two weeks may be enough to scare away the majority of people who are interested in trying the South Beach Diet.

Bad Breath is Common for the First Few Weeks

• Many South Beach Dieters have reported experiencing bad breath during Phase 1 of the plan.

Weight Loss Slows Dramatically After the First Few Weeks

• While most South Beach dieters are projected to lose eight to thirteen pounds within the first two weeks, many dieters plateau as they enter Phase 2, requiring them to go back through the initial induction phase.