What is the South Beach Diet, and How Does it Work?

     The South Beach has been around for many years, and is quite popular among all the other fad diets out there. By following this diet exactly, dieters are said to be capable of losing between 8 to 13 pounds within the first two weeks. Here is what the South Beach Diet is all about.

What is the South Beach Diet?

     The South Beach Diet does not eliminate fats or carbohydrates. Rather, it encourages dieters to consume the right kinds of carbs and fats. Three phases encompass this diet:

Phase One
      This phase lasts exactly two weeks, and is the strictest and most difficult of the three phases. You are supposed to eat certain portion-controlled proteins, vegetables, cheese, eggs and nuts. Three meals a day are allowed. Carbohydrates are drastically cut from this phase. The theory behind this phase is that once weight has decreased somewhat, the dieter will start to metabolize carbs more efficiently, and your carb cravings start to disappear. No bread, fruit, pasta, rice or sugar is allowed during this phase.

Phase Two
      This phase incorporates all the time it takes for you to reach your weight loss goal. The time it takes will vary from person to person. In this phase, you will be reintroduced to foods that you were not allowed to eat in the first phase.

Phase Three
       This is the maintenance phase, and pretty much lasts forever. Calling it a "phase" is a bit misleading, as this is basically the way you should eat for the rest of your life.

What You Can and Can't Eat on the South Beach Diet

     This diet tries to teach the dieter what foods to consume, and which to avoid. The aim is to change the person's way of thinking about food, and how food affects health. You are allowed to eat out, or snack. You don't necessarily have to give up delicious foods in order to lose weight.

     Carbohydrates are cut down, but are compensated for with fats and animal proteins to keep energy levels up. Chicken, fish, nuts, milk and cheese are all recommended. Dieters are discouraged from consuming highly processed foods, baked goods, white breads, fried foods and sugary beverages.

     Regardless of what diet you may go on, it is important to also incorporate an exercise routine in order to keep muscle levels up. Dieting alone may allow you to lose weight, you can also lose muscle as well.