What Is the South Beach Diet?

The South Beach Diet is so popular that is has spawned several books, frozen dinners and even snacks. According to WebMD, many nutritionists consider it to be healthier and more balanced than many fad diets. It's a fairly simple plan that uses three phases to change your eating habits and give you a pattern to follow for life.

Description

• According to South Beach Diet Plan for Beginners website, the South Beach Diet is a method of eating that emphasizes choosing the right fats and carbohydrates that help people feel full.

Origin

• The South Beach Diet was created by a cardiologist named Dr. Arthur Agatston as a plan that people could use throughout their whole lives, rather than a temporary measure to lose weight.

Phases

• In phase one, all carbohydrates are restricted for 2 weeks. In phase two, good carbohydrates are introduced. Phase three is a balanced phase that maintains the weight loss from the first two phases and lasts for the rest of your life.

Potential

• In phase one, followers of the South Beach Diet can lose between 8 and 12 lbs. In phase two, they lose 1 to 2 lbs. per week until reaching their desired weight, which will be maintained in phase three.

Function

• According to WebMD, the South Beach Diet works by breaking the cycle of eating too many carbohydrates, which causes a craving to eat even more due to a rise in your insulin level.

Warning

• Although the South Beach Diet is considered to be healthy by most nutritionists, WebMD warns that much of the initial weight loss is water weight, which can disturb a person's electrolyte balance. As with any type of diet, consulting with a doctor before starting the South Beach Diet is recommended.