Developed by a cardiologist, the South Beach Diet is a commercial weight loss program that has been helping people lose weight since 2003, according to MayoClinic.com. It is a modified low-carbohydrate diet that encourages healthy protein and fat choices. The diet includes three phases. Phase 1 is designed to eliminate your sugar cravings and jump-start your weight loss. Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet is very low in carbohydrates and there are a number of forbidden foods during this phase of the program.
Starches and Carbohydrates
Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet includes primarily lean sources of protein, healthy fats and vegetables. Your total carbohydrate intake during this phase is about 10 percent of calories, according to MayoClinic.com. Starches and other carbohydrate containing foods are not allowed during this phase of the program. Forbidden starches include all bread products, cereals, matzo, rice, pasta, crackers, sweets and baked goods.
Vegetables
Starchy vegetables are also forbidden during phase 1 of the South Beach Diet and include beets, carrots, corn, yams, white potatoes and sweet potatoes. There are, however, a number of healthy non-starchy vegetable choices allowed during this phase including broccoli, spinach, cauliflower and green beans.
Meat
The South Beach Diet encourages healthy, lean meat choices throughout the entire program. Choosing leaner cuts of meat will help you decrease both your calorie and saturated fat intake. High fat meats forbidden during phase 1 of the South Beach Diet include beef brisket, liver, rib steaks, chicken wings, chicken legs, duck, goose, processed poultry products and honey-baked ham.
Fruits
Fruits are a primary source of carbohydrate in the diet and are not allowed at all during phase 1 of the South Beach diet, according to the South Beach Diet Plan website. Examples of forbidden fruit choices include apples, oranges, bananas, melons, berries, apricots, grapefruit, peaches, pears, canned fruit and dried fruit.
Dairy Foods
Milk is also a source of carbohydrates and not allowed during phase 1 of the South Beach Diet. Forbidden choices include plain fat free yogurt, fruited yogurt, nonfat milk, 1 percent fat milk, fat free non-dairy creamer, soy milk, ice cream and frozen yogurt. Although some cheeses are allowed during phase 1, there are a few forbidden varieties including Brie, Edam and any full-fat cheeses.
Miscellaneous Foods
There are a number of miscellaneous items not allowed during phase 1 of the program. These forbidden foods include alcohol, catsup, cocktail sauce, jerky meat and pork rinds. Caffeine is not forbidden, but intake should be limited to 1 to 2 servings a day, according to the South Beach Diet Plan website.
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