Dieting can be complicated, but following a commercial diet plan can make your weight loss easier to achieve. Today, however, there are many diet programs, such as the South Beach Diet, that are available free of charge. The South Beach Diet was developed by Dr. Arthur Agatston, a cardiologist from the South Beach section of Miami, Florida. Dr. Agatston believes that his patients' struggle with obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and diabetes are due to their unhealthy diet.
Step 1
Read the "South Beach Diet" book, or visit the official South Beach Diet website and learn the different components to the South Beach Diet plan. Both sources explain the program in a simple manner and provide guidelines, tips and recipes.
Step 2
Eliminate all food that is not allowed on the South Beach Diet. Dr. Agatston believes that his patients' diets of processed carbohydrates, high sugar and high saturated fat foods result in their harmful medical conditions. As such, these foods are not allowed while on the South Beach Diet.
Step 3
Shop for the food you will be eating on the South Beach Diet. Generally the food that is allowed on the program consists of fruits, vegetables, legumes, lean proteins, whole grains and poly and monounsaturated fats. The official South Beach Diet website offers some approved meal recipes and includes items such as cottage cheese crepes with cherries and a flank steak wrap with vegetables.
Step 4
Embark on Phase 1. The South Beach Diet consists of three phases, according to the independent diet review site Sensational. In the first phase, which lasts for two weeks, almost all carbohydrates are eliminated. The point is to jump-start your weight loss and rid yourself of bad eating habits.
Step 5
Transfer to Phase 2. The second phase of the program lasts until you have reached your desired weight. During Phase 2, you will slowly reintroduce carbohydrates back into your diet, but they will be restricted to fruits, vegetables and some whole grains.
Step 6
Begin Phase 3. The maintenance phase, which is the third and final phase of the South Beach Diet, is designed as something you should follow for the rest of your life. It consists of eating healthy carbohydrates that should not result in weight gain nor have any debilitating medical conditions, according to Sensational.
Things You'll Need
- South Beach Diet book or website
- Approved South Beach Diet food
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