The Flat Belly Diet is a short-term program from Prevention Magazine, while the South Beach Diet is intended as a lifestyle change that stems from diet books by a cardiologist, Dr. Arthur Agatston. Both diets are commercial diets -- not medical programs -- that offer additional information when you sign up. You should talk to your doctor or a nutritionist before beginning any weight loss plan.
Program
The Flat Belly Diet is a two-phase diet program for losing weight, while the South Beach Diet is a three-phase program for weight loss and maintenance. The 32-day Flat Belly Diet begins with the four-day Jumpstart plan. The South Beach Diet begins with two weeks on phase 1. The Flat Belly Diet claims to reduce bloating, and the South Beach Diet states that remaining on phase 3 can help you maintain your weight loss for life.
Claims
The Flat Belly Diet claims that in your first four days, when you are on the Jumpstart plan, you can lose up to 7 lbs. and 5 3/4 inches from your waist. You may lose up to 15 lbs. during the entire 32-day diet. The South Beach Diet claims that you can lose 8 to 13 lbs. during the first two weeks of the diet when you are on phase 1, and 1 to 2 lbs. per week during phase 2.
Emphasized Foods
Each meal or snack on the Flat Belly Diet includes monounsaturated fatty acids, or MUFAs, from sources such as almonds, chocolate, olive oil, avocados and peanut butter. The South Beach Diet also recognizes the potential benefits of MUFAs, but the emphasis of the diet is a reduction in carbohydrates. On phase 1, you can consume unsaturated fats and lean proteins, as well as high-fiber vegetables and reduced-fat milk or yogurt. In phases 2 and 3, you add in fruit, whole grains, starchy vegetables and dark chocolate.
Daily Plan
Each day on the Flat Belly Diet includes a breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack. Another component of the Jumpstart phase is a daily batch of Sassy water that you make with water, cucumbers, ginger, lemon and spearmint leaves. On the South Beach Diet, you have breakfast, lunch, dinner, two snacks and a low-sugar dessert each day. This meal pattern remains the same throughout the diet. The Flat Belly Diet does not emphasize exercise, while the South Beach Diet recommends daily exercise and provides a program for members.
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