The South Beach Diet is a restrictive low-carbohydrate diet divided into three separate phases. In each phase, there are specific foods and beverages allowed, as well as a list of things to avoid. If you enjoy beer or other alcoholic beverages, understanding how and when to work a drink into your diet plan can help you stay on the program and keep you on track for weight loss.
Phase 1
The first phase lasts two weeks and has the most restrictions. You eliminate carbohydrates and sugars during this phase, and the South Beach Diet claims this will help eliminate your cravings and give you an initial boost of weight loss. In fact, the diet claims that eliminating certain foods for the first two weeks will produce an 8 to 13 lb. weight loss. However, beer is one of the beverages you must avoid during the first phase.
Phase 2
In the second phase you can begin to bring certain foods back into your diet, and you may also drink beer. Even though you can resume drinking beer, you need to select a light beer and have no more than 12 oz; you should also only consume this amount occasionally. For example, you may choose to have a beer with dinner on Friday to celebrate the weekend.
Other Alcoholic Beverages
Even though you should avoid drinking beer frequently, the South Beach Diet allows you to have one to two 4 oz. glasses of red or white wine each day. Due to the high sugar content, you should not drink other alcoholic beverages, including hard alcohol such as tequila, gin or rum, during the first and second phases of the diet. You should also avoid other alcoholic beverages such as mixed drinks and wine coolers.
Allowances
You reach the third phase of the South Beach Diet when you meet your weight loss goals. The third phase is meant to last a lifetime and allows you to consume any food you like while keeping moderation in mind. This phase also allows you to consume any type of beer or other alcoholic beverages in moderation.
Considerations
Prior to starting the South Beach Diet or any other diet plan, talk with your doctor about the risks associated with a low-carbohydrate diet. Your doctor can evaluate your overall health and help you determine if the South Beach Diet is appropriate for you.
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