If you are looking for a weight-loss plan to ease your sugar and carb cravings, the South Beach Diet may be for you. This diet focuses on low-glycemic carbohydrates and healthy fats, and includes online support plus optional diet foods and recipe books for purchase. Ask for your doctor's input as you evaluate different weight-loss options.
Diet Overview
Dr. Arthur Agatston, a cardiologist who practices in Miami, Fla., developed the South Beach Diet in 2003. The diet claims that it will eliminate carbohydrate cravings and stabilize your blood sugar levels by restricting your total amount carbohydrates and focusing on low-glycemic choices that do not cause your blood sugar to spike. Not a short-term weight-loss program, the South Beach Diet claims to be a lifestyle program to improve your heart health.
Phases
Phase 1 lasts for two weeks and claims it will help you lose 8 to 13 lbs. You can eat lean protein, high-fiber vegetables, low-fat dairy products, eggs and healthy fats, including olive oil, canola oil and omega-3 fats from fatty fish. In Phase 2, weight loss is about 1 to 2 lbs. per week, and you add in some whole grains, fruits and starchy vegetables. Phase 3, or maintenance, starts when you reach your goal weight, and eating patterns are similar to those in Phase 2.
Foods
On each phase of South Beach, you have three meals, one dessert and two snacks daily. A typical day of Phase 2 might include a breakfast pizza and vegetable juice for breakfast; a salad and whole-wheat pizza for lunch; grilled salmon, a salad, baked tomatoes and edamame beans for dinner; peanut butter and jelly cookies for dessert; and a spicy nut mix and an apple and peanut butter sandwich for your snacks. You can make South Beach Diet recipes, or buy convenience foods such as diet bars or frozen meals.
Membership Benefits
You need to pay a weekly fee to belong to the South Beach Diet program. As a member, you have access to a greater number of South Beach Diet recipes for each phase, online tools such as weight trackers and meal planners with shopping lists and member community forums and diet buddies. Dr. Agatston and registered dietitians answer questions from members. The diet also includes suggestions for an exercise program as part of a healthy lifestyle.
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