Created by Miami University's Dr. Arthur Agatston, The South Beach Diet is designed to promote good health in cardiac patients. The diet is broken into three phases, with the introductory phase considered to be the most difficult as it requires the elimination of several food groups. However, this phase is designed to reduce cravings and induce significant weight loss; dieters who commit to the diet may lose between 7 and 14 lbs. within the first two weeks of dieting.
Step 1
Throw out all junk foods in your home that do not have any presence in the South Beach Diet. Because keeping tempting foods in your home can lead you to give into these cravings, ridding your home of junk foods can help ensure your success during the diet's first two weeks. If your partner or family is not following the diet, keep the junk food items in a single--preferably hard-to-reach--area to avoid seeing these items.
Step 2
Review the Phase 1 suggested meal plans and select the recipes that best fit the foods you enjoy. Plan the first three to five days of your diet, as thoroughly planning can combat your doubts in sticking to the plan. This knowledge also ensures you will be successful in best following the diet--and experiencing the best results.
Step 3
Make your meal plan lists, then build your grocery list based on the meal plan. Shop for your foods one or two days before beginning the diet. This will ensure vegetables, cheese and low-fat dairy products are fresh.
Step 4
Prepare any necessary items the night before beginning your diet. For example, if there is a chicken dish to prepare for the following night's dinner, marinate the chicken or prepare the dish the night before to ensure ease when you actually begin the diet. You also can portion out snacks, such as handfuls of nuts, into baggies before beginning your diet.
Step 5
Start eating according to the Phase 1 portion of the South Beach Diet. This involves eliminating fruits, refined carbohydrates and alcohol for at least two weeks. You will eat foods during regular intervals of the day to keep your metabolism fueled.
Tips and Warnings
- Begin the South Beach Diet Phase 1 on a Saturday. This will give you some time to adjust to your new diet while avoiding the stress that can accompany dieting in the workplace. With two days of diet success behind you, you will be more equipped to successfully follow Phase 1 of the diet.
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