Basics About South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet was designed by Dr. Arthur Agatston, a cardiologist and an associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami Medical School. Dr. Agatston wanted to assist his overweight heart patients in getting their diet under control. The system recommended by the American Heart Association had not been very successful with his patients so he decided to investigate other alternatives. Thus, the South Beach Diet was born.

Whereas, the Atkins diet concentrates on low carbohydrates, South Beach encourages whole grains, fruits and vegetables with lean proteins. The diet is broken out into three distinct phases. The first phase lasts approximately two weeks. The second phase lasts for as long as necessary to reach your target weight and fitness goal. The final phase is designed to maintain your target weight. Overall, the South Beach Diet system is designed to be a lifestyle change which will ensure healthy and balanced eating for the duration of your life.

During phase one, the goal is to get your body into the mindset that you are ready for a diet. This step is very important because it prepares you into any system you choose. It is critical that you have the proper will power and positive outlook to ensure you are successful. Phase one knocks off a few pounds to give you some confidence to continue the diet into the second phase. Generally, phase one lasts for two weeks. Normal sized portions that include a diet of lean meat, eggs, fish, reduced-fat cheese, nuts, nonfat yogurt, and vegetables. You can also have snacks and low fat desserts which will help you with cravings. Carbohydrates are minimized during this phase.

Phase two is followed until you have reached your targeted weight goal. You will now reintroduce the right kind of carbohydrates such as whole grains and fruits. This allows you to maintain a healthy diet while still losing weight. You should continue to maintain this phase while losing weight and your goal is attained. During this phase, regular exercise is also encouraged.

Once you are at or very close to your desired weight, phase three begins. Phase three is simply the rest of your life. The focus is maintaining good healthy eating habits, regular exercise to keep your weight even. This will not seem like a diet so much as a lifestyle. You will already be in the habit of eating well and eating correct portions so you will have no trouble maintaining it. Even if you decide to indulge on occasion, this should not adversely affect your continued success as long as these instances are few and far between.

The South Beach Diet takes into account losing weight as well as eating healthy. It does not condone the use of diet pills, patches or other types of scams. Instead, it is designed to promote a lifestyle of healthy eating habits that will hold your ideal weight.

The South Beach Diet is proactive because it is meant to alter the lifestyle of the person who is using the weight loss program. It is healthier than many diets and weight loss programs out there because of its focus on eating many foods. However, caution should be used when starting any diet. To fully understand your health, it is advisable to seek consultation with a physician before starting any plan. The South Beach system is a change in lifestyle and once you get used to it you will be well on your way to continued health and proper diet habits.

D. Lyne is a fitness fanatic and frequent contributor to fitness and health blogs and periodicals like Nutrition Fitness Tips