The South Beach Diet promotes eating a diet low in carbohydrates and high in protein to reduce weight quickly and help the dieter maintain the weight loss. The program gradually allows the dieter to bring carbohydrates back into his diet, but in a series of incremental steps. Once a dieter has a doctor's authorization to follow the South Beach diet, he should know the phases in order to ensure he follows the requirements of the program properly.
Phase 1
The first phase of the diet program lasts for two weeks, and is designed to stop a person from craving foods with refined starches and sugar, says the South Beach Diet website. This phase has the most limitations on food intake, requiring the dieter to cut out carbohydrates from his diet. The foods not allowed in phase 1 include bread, potatoes, pasta, rice and sugars. In phase 1, fruit is not allowed either. Allowed foods include non-starchy vegetables, eggs, cheese, meat, fish, seafood and nuts.
An allowed snack during phase one may include low fat mozzarella wrapped in lean slices of turkey breast.
Phase 2
After two weeks, the dieter will begin the second phase. Phase 2 allows the dieter to introduce carbohydrates back into her daily intake. The weight loss program focuses on healthy carbohydrates, so a person in this phase, in addition to all allowed foods in phase 1, may include foods such as whole grain bread and pasta, as well as brown rice, sweet potatoes and fruit. For a snack during phase 2, a dieter may choose low fat cheese and an apple or other combinations of allowed foods. The dieter will remain in this phase until she reaches her goal weight, says MayoClinic.com.
Phase 3
Once the dieter reaches his goal weight, he will then use the third phase to help him maintain his weight loss. This phase recommends following phase 2 for daily eating choices, but allows the person to occasionally indulge in any food, says the South Beach Diet website. If the person gains weight during phase three, the program encourages him to return to phase 1 and move on to phase 2 as necessary. Once the person returns to his goal weight, he will then move back to phase 3.
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