Low-carbohydrate diets focus on eating proteins, and many of these diets allow you to eat proteins without portion control or concern for fat content. The South Beach Diet provides guidance on selecting lean proteins and encourages you to eat smaller portions and have an additional amount if necessary to curb hunger. Understanding the different types of proteins allowed on the South Beach Diet will help you make choices that will help you lose weight and stay healthy.
Animal-Based Products
The South Beach Diet allows you to have a variety of meats, fish and seafood, as long as you select lean meats. Choose lean cuts of beef such as London broil, sirloin and top loin. As well, select skinless chicken or turkey breasts, but avoid the dark meat. You can also have pork chops, pork tenderloin, Canadian bacon and boiled ham. Keep in mind that the plan does not allow you to have honey ham. Other meats you can have include trimmed lamb loin, roast or chops, along with lean cuts of buffalo, elk or venison.
In addition, you may eat any type of fish or seafood on the South Beach Diet. The plan also allows you to eat lunch meats, such as smoked ham, smoked turkey or roast beef, but these products must contain little or no fat to fit the requirements of the South Beach Diet.
Soy Products
Some people may prefer to use soy-based products for their protein intake, and these foods work well with the plan as long as the soy product contains less than 6 grams of fat for a 2- or 3-ounce serving. These products may include soy burgers or crumbles, as well as soy "bacon," nonbreaded soy "chicken" or soy hot dogs. Tofu, seitan and tempeh work well with the South Beach Diet as well.
Beans
Beans provide a good source of protein as well, and you may select all types of canned, frozen or fresh beans. If you eat frozen or canned, make sure the beans contain no added fat or sugar. Options may include black beans, butter beans, lima beans, navy beans, split peas and pinto beans. You can also eat fat-free refried beans.
Servings
You can consume meat, poultry, fish and seafood with each meal, but the South Beach Diet recommends beginning with a smaller portion and having extra servings if you find that you are still hungry. Keep tofu to a half-cup serving, and a quarter-cup serving for tempeh and soy crumbles. Follow the package serving size recommendations for other soy products. You can have one-half cup serving of beans each day, but vegetarians may have more to reach adequate protein intakes.
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