As the rates of obesity continue to rise, the search for a diet that works may lead some potential dieters to the South Beach Diet and similar weight-loss plans. The South Beach Diet is a specific commercial weight loss plan developed in 2003 by cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatston. The focus of the diet is limiting specific types of carbohydrates.
South Beach Diet
The goal of the South Beach Diet is to change eating patterns and develop a healthy lifestyle that can lead to weight loss. Dr. Agatston sells books, cookbooks and prepared foods to use while on the diet. Claims on the official website for the diet include an initial weight loss of 8 to 13 lbs and a 1 to 2 lb weight loss per week after the initial phase. The diet itself tends to be high in fiber and nutrients and low in refined carbohydrates. Some of the concepts included in the South Beach Diet can be found in similar diet plans, such as the Atkins Diet and the Sugar Busters Diet.
Phases
The South Beach Diet consists of three phases. In the first phase, you consume an extremely low-carbohydrate diet for two weeks that specifically excludes foods such as bread, fruits and rice. The second phase consists of a gradual reintroduction of foods that were banned during the first phase while retaining a moderately low intake of carbohydrates. Phase two lasts until you have reached your desired weight. The third phase is considered a maintenance phase and consists of a healthy lifelong diet composed of about 28 percent carbohydrates.
Glycemic Index
The glycemic index is a cornerstone of the South Beach Diet. This index rates carbohydrates on how quickly they raise blood sugar levels. When the reintroduction phase of carbohydrates begins on the South Beach Diet, an emphasis is placed on choosing carbohydrates with a low glycemic index, or GI. The idea behind choosing low-GI foods is that rapid fluctuations in blood sugar cause fat retention and hunger that may drive people to overeat.
Considerations
No clinical studies have yet been published that specifically evaluate the South Beach Diet's effectiveness or safety. However, clinical trials comparing low-carbohydrate diets with low-fat diets found greater weight loss and improvement in cholesterol levels with the low-carbohydrate diet over the short term. One concern about the diet is that the first phase, in which carbohydrates are limited to around 10 percent of your daily calories, may cause health problems in some people. Before embarking on any commercial diet, talk to your doctor about your weight loss plans.
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