The South Beach Diet was created by Dr. Arthur Agatston in 2003. He divided the diet into three phases designed to transform your body to burn fat and protein as energy rather than relying on carbohydrates. The first phase of the diet is the most restrictive, as almost all carbohydrates and sugars are eliminated from your diet, which may sap your energy, especially if your previous diet was rich in carbohydrates and sugar.
Phase 1
You may notice the biggest drop in your energy levels during phase 1 of the South Beach Diet. Carbohydrates are minimized to approximately 10 percent of your total daily caloric intake, and sugar is virtually banned. The only source of carbohydrates you are allowed to consume during this phase are nonstarchy vegetables and nuts. You eliminate all breads, sweets, fruit, alcohol, rice and starchy vegetables such as potatoes. These foods raise your blood glucose and insulin levels, which can lead to fat storage. This phase lasts two weeks, but it may seem longer because your energy may be diminished.
Carbohydrates and Energy
Your body depends on carbohydrates as the most significant source of energy. When you initially pull carbohydrates from your diet in phase 1, you may feel fatigued and abnormally tired because your body has to transition to using new sources for energy such as protein and fat. Simple carbohydrates give you a quick boost in energy and then a sudden drop, which creates a cycle of cravings because your body yearns for the high energy. Complex carbohydrates do not contain sugar, as do simple carbohydrates, so they digest more slowly and provide more stabilized energy levels. Complex carbohydrates are reintroduced into the South Beach Diet in the last two phases, which helps restore your energy levels.
Phases 2 and 3
You should notice a boost in energy almost immediately when you enter phase 2. Your body will be more accustomed to deriving energy from fats and protein, and you are allowed to consume 27 percent of your total caloric intake from carbohydrates. Toward the end of phase 2, your energy levels will be more stabilized. When you reach phase 3, your carbohydrate intake is only increased by 1 percent, so you may not notice any dramatic changes in energy, but your body should be used to the low carbohydrate consumption, and your energy should be back to normal.
Warning
If your energy remains low when you reach the final stages of the diet, you should consult your doctor about other possible complications. When you drastically lower your carbohydrate and glucose intake, it can lead to ketoacidosis. This condition occurs when your body insufficiently breaks down fat stores for energy, causing harmful buildups of ketones and acid in your body. This condition can lead to coma, stupor and death. You may also be at risk for malnutrition during the first phase of this diet because of insufficient carbohydrate consumption. Malnutrition can lead to fatigue and dizziness.
Member Comments