What Is South Beach Diet and How It work

The South Beach Diet Book © by AlishaV

The South Beach Diet, named after the trendy area of Miami, was started by a cardiologist named Arthur Agatson. He published a popular book by  the same name, and ever since the South Beach Diet has raised controversy in the diet and nutrition world. Does the South Beach Diet work? The evidence seems to be favorable, at least for many people who have tried it, though some experts disagree with Dr. Agatson’s findings. Of course, there is no such thing as a diet that everyone agrees with.
Unlike many diets, the South Beach Diet focuses on carbohydrates that are good for you. Dr. Agatston believes that it isn’t carbohydrates per se that cause people problems, but “bad carbohydrates,” as well as bad fats. These are the refined, processed foods with a high glycemic index, such as most sweets, potatoes, cereals and fruits. Good carbs are natural, unrefined and have a low glycemic index, such as whole grains, brown rice, legumes and starchy vegetables.

The South Beach Diet also focuses on healthy vs. unhealthy fats. Unhealthy fats are saturated and, even worse, trans fats. Healthy fats are monosaturated, the kind found in fish oil, olive oil and many nuts.

While the South Beach Diet does not claim to be a “low carb” diet, this is somewhat misleading, as it discouraging eating those foods most people think of as carbohydrates. Still, the research supporting this theory appears to be sound.

The South Beach Diet, like many diets, comes in stages. In Phase l, dieters are highly restricted in what they can eat. For two weeks, there is no bread, pasta, cereals rice and even fruit. In Phase ll, which lasts for as long as it takes to achieve your goal weight, you can gradually reintroduce some of these foods into your diet. In Phase lll, which is the rest of your life, you can eat more “normally,” but keeping the basic guidelines of the diet in mind. The idea is that in Phase l we can break some bad habits and start to lose weight.

Does the South Beach Diet work? Compared with many other popular and fad diets, it is based on some sound nutritional guidelines. Research in increasingly showing that it is the “bad” fat and carbs that cause us to gain weight and have health problems. The South Beach Diet addresses this in a way that many people can follow without much suffering.

Wikipedia: The South Beach Diet is a diet plan designed by cardiologist Arthur Agatston and dietician Marie Almon as an alternative to low-fat approaches such as the Ornish Diet and the Pritikin Diet advocated by the American Heart Association in the 1980s. ?