The South Beach Diet, developed by cardiologist Arthur Agatston, is considered a modified carbohydrate diet because it encourages consumption of protein and restriction of carbohydrates, but unlike other low-carb diets, it does not limit carbohydrates to an extremely low level, and you are not required to count the amount of carbohydrates you consume.
Suggested Foods
The South Beach diet suggests a modified carbohydrate eating plan. Meals should consist of lean protein, such as chicken or turkey, and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Instead of cutting out carbohydrates, this diet plan encourages the consumption of limited portions of complex carbohydrates, such as whole grain breads, cereals, and pastas.
Restricted Foods
The South Beach Diet eliminates high-sugar or high-starch carbohydrates, including white bread and pastas, baked goods, candy, soda, and sugary sports drinks or fruit juices. Starchy vegetables such as potatoes or yams should also be limited. In addition, unhealthy fats, such as trans fats and saturated fats, should be strictly limited. This includes fried food, fatty snacks and foods with high amounts of lard or butter.
Exercise
The South Beach Diet also encourages exercise as a part weight loss planning and long-term weight management. Cardiovascular exercise such as walking and jogging can be combined with strength training, such as resistance exercises and weight lifting. As you increase your muscle tone you'll also boost your metabolism, which will encourage successful weight loss.
Expected Results and Tips
The South Beach Diet begins with a very low-carb phase for two weeks and is followed by a more flexible eating plan in the second phase. The first phase is designed to jump-start weight loss and will result in a loss of 8 to 13 pounds. In second phase is design to allow more variety in your diet and encourage a gradual weight loss of one to two pounds. The third stage helps you maintain a healthy diet and a healthy weight by limiting your consumption of sweets and starches to special occasions and to very small quantities.
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