The South Beach Diet, designed by cardiologist Arthur Agatston, is a diet focused on weight loss through limiting dietary carbohydrates and increasing dietary protein intake. The diet also recommends limiting caffeine consumption to 8 oz. of coffee, tea or soda per day. Research has indicated that, for most people, up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is considered safe. The caffeine found in caffeinated beverages may be beneficial to help South Beach Dieters deal with the energy slump, most likely caused by carbohydrate restriction, that may occur during phase 1 of the South Beach Diet.
Phase 1
The first phase of the South Beach diet is the most restrictive, meant to jump start weight loss and give dieters a feel for how the diet works. Phase 1 is mostly a high-protein, low-carbohydrate eating plan, lasting for two weeks. During this restrictive phase, caffeine consumption is limited to one 8-oz. cup of coffee per day. Reasoning for this, according to South Beach Diet 101, is because of caffeine's ability to stimulate insulin production and create unhealthy food cravings, thus sabotaging phase 1 dieting efforts.
Caffeine
Although the South Beach Diet recommends curbing caffeine consumption at one daily 8-oz. cup of coffee, tea or caffeinated soda, research conducted by P. Nawrot and associates indicates that moderate caffeine consumption -- 400 mg per day or less -- is considered safe. Four hundred mg of caffeine -- the amount of caffeine found in 24 oz. of coffee, or three 8-oz. cups -- has not be shown to be associated with any negative health effects. The research does not indicate any effect of caffeine to stimulate food cravings.
Energy Slump
During phase 1 of the South Beach Diet, dieters may notice an energy slump because of the restriction of carbohydrates. The glucose found in carbohydrate food sources is the primary source of energy for the body and, in its absence, fat and protein are burned for energy instead. This creates a process called ketoacidosis that can result in a feeling of sluggishness and potential dizziness. Additionally, if a dieter used to drinking more than 8 oz. of coffee, tea or caffeinated soda per day is suddenly forced to reduce her intake to 1 cup, this could potentially add to the tiredness frequently associated with phase 1 of the South Beach Diet.
Hidden Calories
It's important to note that when consuming caffeine from coffee on any diet, additives to the coffee should be carefully measured or reduced. The South Beach diet recommends that if coffee is consumed, it should be black. Many coffee drinkers add high-fat dairy products and high-calorie sweeteners to their coffee, and this can negatively impact any healthy eating attempt. In addition, prepared coffee drinks and lattes available at coffee chains may have more calories and fat than expected. The best bet for coffee is to learn to appreciate it black or flavor it using reduced-fat or fat-free milk or sugar substitutes. If sugar is used, measure the amount of sugar using a teaspoon rather than dumping an unmeasured amount into your coffee.
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