The South Beach Diet is a kind of low-carb diet that restricts carbohydrates that break down fast in the digestive system. It differs from more well known low-carb diets, such as the Atkins diet, by allowing higher amounts of "slow" carbohydrates. Because the diet allows for carbohydrates that are difficult for the digestive system to break down, it can lead to acid reflux and upset stomach.
The South Beach Diet
The South Beach Diet rests on a distinction between high-glycemic and low-glycemic index carbohydrates. Low-glycemic index carbohydrates come from food sources, such as sweets, white pasta, white rice and white bread. Carbohydrates contained in these food sources quickly turn into glucose in the digestive system and enter the bloodstream fast. Food sources that contain high-glycemic index carbohydrates include whole-grain bread and pasta, brown and wild rice and legumes. The carbohydrates in these food sources are more difficult to convert into glucose, so they are less likely to give rise to sparks in blood glucose levels.
Mechanism of Action
Regular low-carb diets and the South Beach Diet work on similar principles. By restricting food sources that quickly convert into glucose and absorb into the bloodstream, they keep blood glucose at a lower and more stable levels. The lower and more stable levels of blood glucose trigger a quicker and longer-lasting feeling of fullness. This naturally leads dieters to restrict food portions and calorie intake without having to count calories or observe how much food they eat. With less glucose entering the bloodstream at any one time, the body is furthermore forced to burn fat rather than glucose.
Acid Reflux
Upset stomach usually is due to acid reflux, a condition in which the naturally occurring acids in the stomach regurgitate. This can give rise to a burning feeling in the digestive tract and can cause symptoms similar to those associated with a heart attack. In some cases, acid reflux is a result of gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition in which food consistently flows back into the esophagus, the tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach. Dietary changes can also cause acid reflux. When switching from a diet rich in low-glycemic index carbohydrates to a diet high in high-glycemic index carbohydrates, the muscle fibers that normally prevent food from moving backward into the esophagus may not be strong enough to prevent regurgitation.
Treatments
The best way to treat an upset stomach associated with the South Beach Diet is to ease into the diet by slowly cutting low-glycemic index carbohydrates for a couple of weeks. Once the digestive system gets used to a diet high in high-glycemic index carbohydrates, the upset stomach symptoms normally disappear. Over-the-counter acid reflux medications can provide immediate relief for symptoms of an upset stomach. Consult your physician if the symptoms are severe.
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