Cardiologist Arthur Agatston designed the South Beach Diet as a commercial weight-loss diet for the public, not a medical diet. The diet aims to minimize carbohydrate consumption to train your body to burn fat and protein for energy instead of carbohydrates. When carbohydrates and sugar are consumed, your pancreas releases insulin, which stores excess food as fat for future use. If less insulin is released, you may store less fat and burn your existing fat. Talk with your doctor before drastically limiting your carbohydrate consumption because it is an essential nutrient.
South Beach Diet General Guidelines
The South Beach Diet consists of three phases, each slightly increasing carbohydrate consumption. The first two-week phase is the most strict and limits carbohydrate consumption to just 10 percent of your daily caloric intake. Sugar is not allowed in this phase, nor are fruit, starchy vegetables, bread and pastries. You work in some previously restricted foods in phase two such as complex, whole-grain carbohydrates and fruit. You are allowed to derive 27 percent of your total caloric intake from carbohydrates in this phase. In phase three, carbohydrate intake increases just 1 percent and sugar is still restricted. The diet is well under the recommended carbohydrate intake of over 45 percent of your total caloric intake per day, according to MayoClinic.com.
Malnutrition
If you do not obtain sufficient essential dietary nutrients, you are at risk for malnutrition. MedlinePlus states that carbohydrates are among the essential nutrients that your body requires. During the first phase of the South Beach Diet, you are at the highest risk of malnutrition of all of the phases since carbohydrates are drastically minimized. Symptoms of malnutrition include dizziness, fatigue and weight loss. Talk with your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms while on the South Beach Diet, and tests can then determine whether malnutrition is the cause.
Ketoacidosis
Ketoacidosis is another potential danger of the South Beach Diet Plan, particularly during phase one. This condition develops when your body does not obtain enough glucose to properly break down fat for energy. Therefore, your body breaks down stored fat, which causes dangerous levels of acid and ketones to build up in your body. Ketoacidosis can lead to coma, stupor and even death, according to MayoClinic.com.
Insufficient Fiber
Dietary fiber is derived from complex carbohydrates. MayoClinic.com warns that you may be at risk of fiber deficiency on low-carbohydrate diet plans. If you do not obtain sufficient fiber, it can lead to constipation and other gastrointestinal complications. If you are on the South Beach Diet or another low-carbohydrate diet, consider a fiber supplement. Alternative fiber supplements are available at grocery stores, and you can mix them into food and beverages. Talk with your doctor if your signs and symptoms of fiber deficiency do not subside.
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