The South Beach Diet hit the diet scene in 2003 and quickly reached fad status. Author and diet developer, Arthur Agatston, makes the claim that you can lose 13 lb in the first two weeks of following his limited-carbohydrate plan. In an effort to answer the diet's critics who pointed to the inflexibility of the plan and the lack of exercise recommendations, Agatson released the "South Beach Diet Supercharged" in 2008. The updated version includes exercise recommendations and a bit more flexibility, but still emphasizes the same three-phase plan that restricts carbohydrates. Even with the changes, dieters following the plan do face some potential negative health effects.
Digestive Problems
The low amount of carbohydrates allowed in the first phase of the plan deprives the body of fiber, potentially causing uncomfortable constipation. Many of the pre-packaged foods carrying the South Beach label and recommended by the plan---such as meal replacement bars---contain sorbitol and other sugar alcohols which cause bloating, gas and diarrhea in some people.
Ketoacidosis
The Mayo Clinic points out that the first phase of the South Beach diet restricts carbohydrates to less than 20 g per day. This can lead to a state called ketoacidosis in which the body has too little glucose for energy and turns to strored fat for energy. Although this fat burning sounds like a good thing, when you build up unhealthy levels of ketones in the body, it can cause low energy, lethargy and in extreme cases coma or death.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Phase one of the diet, lasting for two weeks, denies dieters any fruit and starchy vegetables. These foods play an important part of your diet as they contain essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Although some of these foods are reintroduced to your diet over the course of the next two phases, consumption of some very healthy foods like carrots, beets, bananas, raisins, pineapple and watermelon are discouraged. The American Heart Association warns against fad diets that over-emphasize one certain food---in South Beach's case, that is protein---and that limit your options. These types of diets are difficult to adhere to for the long term and often lead to re-gaining of weight.
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