The first phase of the South Beach Diet lasts for two weeks and requires you to cut out carbohydrates and sugars. You cannot eat bread, pasta or fruit. Some people find these severe restrictions too limiting, but the key to sticking out these initial two weeks is to find the allowed foods that ease your hunger and give you energy. Hummus is one option some people overlook in the first phase of the plan.
Hummus
Hummus is commonly made from garbanzo beans, but you may use other legumes, as well. White kidney beans and lima beans offer a good texture and light taste. If you purchase hummus already made, read the label to evaluate the fat content since many brands of hummus contain olive oil or other types of oil. You may have healthy oils on the South Beach Diet, but you need to limit your intake to a total of around 2 tbsp. each day. Other hummus ingredients may include garlic, parsley and roasted red peppers, all of which you can have on the South Beach Diet.
Serving
Even though you can have hummus during the first phase of the plan, you will need to limit your consumption to 2 tbsp. each day. However, if you follow a vegetarian diet, you can have additional hummus to make sure you consume the protein your body requires. You should not eat large quantities or eat an additional serving if you do not feel hungry.
Options
Hummus works well as a dip for vegetables such as celery, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. You may want to use this as filling snacks either in the morning or afternoon. Hummus could accompany a main entrée such as a large salad or chicken breast.
Consideration
Beans, such as those used to make hummus, contain carbohydrates, so you do not want to consume large amounts while following a low-carbohydrate diet, particularly in the first phase of the South Beach Diet.
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