If you are looking for an online diet that has plans for weight loss and lifetime maintenance, you might want to consider the South Beach Diet. Cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatston, the developer of this diet plan, claims that it teaches you how to choose good carbohydrates to lose weight and improve blood sugar control. Get your doctor's approval before starting any weight loss plan.
Diet Overview
According to MayoClinic.com, the South Beach Diet is a modified carbohydrate diet because it allows you to have more carbohydrates than a low-carbohydrate diet. The diet emphasizes low-glycemic-index carbohydrates to stabilize your blood sugar levels and eliminate carbohydrate cravings. It also encourages healthy fats and lean proteins. Phase 1 is two weeks long, and it has the lowest amount of carbohydrates. Continue to lose weight during Phase 2, and move to Phase 3 to maintain your goal weight for life. The specific instructions for the diet are available online, but only to paying members.
Phase 1
Start in Phase 1, which is two weeks long, if you have more than 10 lbs. to lose. You can eat lean protein, such as skinless, white-meat chicken and turkey, fish, soy and shellfish, some cooked and raw vegetables, nuts, beans, low-fat cheese, eggs, low-fat dairy and unsaturated fats, such as olive and canola oil. Do not eat starches, added sugars, whole grains, fruit or fruit juices, and avoid alcohol. Have three meals, two snacks and a high-protein, low-sugar dessert, such as chocolate meringue cookies from the diet's online recipes. You might lose 8 to 13 lbs. during this phase.
Phases 2 and 3
Phase 2 is the steady weight loss phase that is supposed to help you lose 2 lbs. per week, and you can start here if you have less than 10 lbs. to lose. You can eat Phase 1 foods and add in whole grains, such as whole-grain bread or brown rice, fruit and starchy vegetables such as peas and pumpkin. Your meal pattern stays the same as on Phase 1. The program includes a daily walking and a Pilates routine for your physical activity, but you can only get the details for the eating and exercise plan after you join the South Beach Diet. Phase 3 begins when you achieve your goal weight with the same foods, but it allows for more indulgences.
Online Resources
The online resources for the South Beach Diet include a weight tracker and meal planner, with a grocery list generator to help you customize your menus. You can search for recipes for each phase of the diet and get cooking tips and tips for healthy restaurant eating. You can search for a diet buddy or join a challenge in the online community and watch South Beach Diet Fitness Club videos for exercisers at different levels. The diet states that you can get individual counseling from dietitians.
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