The South Beach Diet has become a very popular diet program. It is claimed that by following the South Beach diet you can lose weight quickly, any where from 8 to 13 pounds in the space of a fortnight. This 2 weeks is just for the first stage of the program.
The South Beach Diet focuses on the intake of carbohydrates and fats. The diet has 3 stages. The first two stages introduce gradual changes in your diet while the third stage is the diet that is used for maintenance after going through the first two.
In the South Beach Diet you are allowed to eat 3 meals a day with 2 snacks in between. It aims to change your eating habits,from eating bad carbohydrates to eating good ones.
Stages of the South Beach Diet
Stage 1
Stage 1 runs for 2 weeks. During this time, you are allowed to eat 3 times a day with regular servings. Your food won’t be measured at all. But in this stage, all forms of carbohydrate are not allowed. There will be a total absence of carbohydrates for the whole of the two weeks.
The food list for this stage includes meat like chicken and turkey – ensure that they are skinless, and all meat should be lean. Peanuts and pistachios nuts are also acceptable. All types of fish are allowed.
Eggs, cheese and oils like canola and olive oils are also allowed in the stage 1 diet. Green vegetables like salads, cucumbers and broccoli are permitted. Also remember to drink lots of water to help in the metabolism of fats.
The following are excluded from the food list during this stage: red meat, dairy products other than low fat cheeses, vegetables with pure carbohydrates, such as potatoes, corn and carrots. All kinds of fruits, alcohol, starchy foods and sweets should also be avoided.
Stage 2
Stage 2 stage is much easier compared with stage 1. Under stage 2, the aim of the diet is to reintroduce carbohydrates. This time, you’re only allowed to eat good carbohydrates.
Stage 2 of the South Beach diet has a slower rate of weight loss. You may only lose 1 to 2 pounds per week. There’s no clear time span for this stage. You are able to stay in this stage for as long as it takes to reach your ideal weight.
The foods that are allowed in stage 2 are the same as the foods allowed in stage 1, plus some more are added. The extra stage 2 food list for South Beach diet includes fruits and milk (fat free).
In stage 2 you are allowed to eat whole grain starches and barley. A small amount of alcohol is allowed, in the form of red wine.
Others carbohydrate rich foods are also allowed but should be consumed moderately. They are potatoes, carrots, beets and refined wheat baked goods. Fruits like bananas, watermelon and pineapple can be eaten sparingly.
Stage 3
This stage is for weight maintenance. Stage 3 can last for a lifetime if you like. Once you’ve reached the weight that you desire, you will now just continue your current diet program.
For this stage, all food categories are allowed, but make sure that you only eat foods with good carbohydrates and with low glycemic index. Stay away from processed foods that contain lots of bad carbs and bad fats.
The South Beach Diet is not that difficult to implement and this diet program is among the most viable among the many diet plans out there. You will just have to follow the restrictions to be able to maintain the weight that you have been aiming for.