The South Beach Diet is a weight loss program with three phases designed to help jump-start weight loss and eliminate cravings. In Phase 1, you eliminate most sources of carbohydrates and sugars, and in the second phase you resume eating some of these foods. The third phase is maintenance, allowing all foods in healthy moderation. Before you begin the South Beach Diet, you should know whether you should avoid foods such as carrots, as well foods to enjoy.
Carrots
If you follow the South Beach Diet precisely, you cannot eat carrots during the first phase of the plan. This is due to the relatively high sugar content in carrots. This vegetable does provide many beneficial nutrients and does not prevent you from losing weight, so you should not avoid carrots in a typical diet. However, Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet encourages you to avoid vegetables higher in sugars and starch, to help reduce cravings.
Phase 2
After two weeks of following the first phase, you will move into Phase 2 of the diet. During this phase, you can bring back some of the foods you eliminated during the first two weeks. In Phase 2 you can eat 1/2 cup of carrots each day. Other vegetables you can bring back into your diet include green peas, turnips and sweet potatoes. During this second phase, the plan recommends you continue to avoid vegetables such as beets, corn and white potatoes.
Other Vegetables
Along with carrots, the plan recommends you eliminate other vegetables during this first phase, including beets, green peas, all potato varieties, pumpkin, squash and corn. In Phase 2, you can bring all of the vegetables back into your diet, except beets, corn and white potatoes.
Considerations
Before you begin the South Beach Diet or any other diet plan, consult your physician. This eating plan severely restricts your food intake for the first two weeks and may not provide you with the necessary nutrients you need. Your doctor can help you evaluate the risks and the benefits of following the South Beach Diet so you can make an informed decision about whether this diet is right for you.
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