When dieting, it is important to choose one that is safe and effective. The South Beach Diet is a diet designed by a medical doctor in 2003. Since then, over 5 million copies of the book have sold. If you are considering starting the South Beach Diet, talk with your doctor first to determine if this type of diet plan is right for you and your health condition.
Safety
Although the South Beach Diet requires you to eliminate carbohydrates, including refined sugar, fruit, bread, pasta and starchy vegetables during the first two weeks, it doesn't eliminate major food groups from the rest of the diet. Some diets require such drastic food elimination that vitamins and nutrients are restricted. The South Beach Diet encourages participants to eat plenty of lean meats, vegetables and healthy fats such as olive oil while discouraging the use of white sugar, white bread and similar sugary foods. Weight loss during phase one may average between 8 and 13 pounds, which is controversial because of its fast rate. Phase two however typically results in a weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week, a much more reasonable rate.
Heart Health
One of the major selling points behind the South Beach Diet is the ability to improve blood chemistry. Dr. Agatston, the creator of the diet, wanted a plan that would decrease his patients' cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar to decrease the risk of heart disease and heart attack. Although his research did find the diet to be effective, MayoClinic.com reports that long-term clinical trials have not been performed to measure this type of success with the program.
Medical Conditions
In some individuals, the South Beach Diet may not be the best choice due to an underlying health condition. Diabetics, for example, may need more strict carbohydrate control than the South Beach Diet provides, even with the push toward carbohydrates with a lower glycemic index. Diets are not one-size-fits-all plans and should be evaluated by your doctor, especially if you have any type of medical condition. You may have a health condition that requires a different balance of carbohydrates, fats and proteins that the South Beach Diet does not provide.
Effectiveness
Losing weight with a diet that restricts certain types of carbohydrates may provide initial weight loss for many individuals, but in the long run it isn't always sustainable. MayoClinic.com advises that a modified low-carbohydrate diet doesn't yield any more weight loss than a high-carbohydrate diet over the long term. In order to lose weight and keep it off, calorie expenditure through exercise must be greater than calories taken in through food. Some individuals have been able to make the South Beach Diet a permanent lifestyle change, and for those individuals the chance of success is much greater.
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