1. Always Check the Lists of Allowed Foods
Not all ingredients are created equal, so always check the "Foods to Enjoy" and "Foods to Avoid" lists for your current phase. The most current lists can be found by joining the South Beach Diet online community, which charges a subscription. You can also buy one of the several South Beach Diet books. The basic book, "The South Beach Diet: The Delicious, Doctor-Designed, Foolproof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss" by Arthur Agatston, introduces the three-phase diet plan. While squash is allowed during Phase 1, for example, you should skip the winter squash. Enjoy a slice of broiled ham, but skip baked honey. By frequently checking the South Beach guidelines, you can create balanced meals without straying from the diet. Even during the strict Phase 1, you should be able to find foods you enjoy on the list. Remember that "fats" like avocado, mayonnaise and salad dressing are allowed in small servings during every phase. You can enjoy them without jeopardizing your weight-loss goals.
2. Plan Meals in Advance
Whether you are using South Beach Diet recipes or adapting your own, you should create a written meal plan for the upcoming week. This can help you stick to the diet and make it easier to shop for the necessary ingredients. If you subscribe to the online South Beach Diet, custom meal plans and shopping lists will be created for you each week.
3. Make Complete Meals
To avoid growing bored with a high-protein, low-carb diet, try to create complete meals instead of simply having something simple--like bacon and eggs--every day. Try to incorporate protein and vegetables. Even completely vegetarian meals can look and feel hearty if you combine several vegetables into one dish. An entire plate of cauliflower or mashed potatoes won't give you all the nutrients you need or keep you motivated to stick to the diet. For quick meals, try stir-fry or stuffed vegetables.
4. Don't Forget the Snacks
The South Beach Diet encourages snacking, so buy healthy snacks, including string cheese, nuts and flavored ice pops. Stock your fridge with approved snacks that meet each type of craving--sweet, salty, sour and chocolate. If you buy in bulk, use food-storage bags and containers to create smaller servings, so you can control your portion size.
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