The South Beach Diet requires you to eliminate certain foods in three phases of eating. The phases aim to take you throughout your lifetime, and they become less stringent as you meet your weight loss goals. For many dieters, giving up certain foods seems difficult, but the South Beach Diet will allow you to bring some of your favorite carbohydrates -- such as sourdough bread -- back into your meal plan. However, you may need to select whole grain varieties.
Phase 1
As part of the first phase of the South Beach Diet you must give up pasta, rice and other carbohydrates, such as sourdough bread. Instead, you will turn your dietary focus to lean proteins and vegetables.
Phase 2
After the two week period of the first phase, the South Beach Diet allows you to reintroduce certain carbohydrates, including sourdough bread. However, you must choose a whole grain version, such as whole wheat sourdough, that provides at least 3 g of fiber per serving.
Serving
In the beginning of the second phase you should increase carbohydrates slowly. Begin by having one serving of a whole grain or vegetable with starch each day. If you elect to have one slice of bread, the serving size, you should not have any additional whole grains or starch-type vegetables that day. Gradually increase your grains and starches up to four servings each day.
Considerations
The South Beach Diet requires that you eliminate certain foods from your diet, and this approach may not work for everyone. Discuss the diet with your doctor, and she can help you evaluate your needs and the strictness of the diet. If you proceed with the South Beach Diet, take the time to know which foods to avoid and which you can eat. This will help you follow the plan as you work toward your weight loss goals.
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