The South Beach Diet – A Very Good Diet to Be Fit

Outline of the South Beach Diet

One of the most popular diets is the South Beach Diet. It was formulated by a cardiologist named Arthur Agatston, who resides in Miami, Florida. This is not a fad diet or temporary weight loss plan. It gives a permanent solution for weight loss by a well regulated eating and exercise habits.

Details of the South Beach Diet

Each and every diet plan is formulated based on a belief. Arthur made an observation on the insulin resistance in the body and put forward this diet program based on that. According to his observation, when the food taken is digested fast, it leads to an insulin breakdown. This prevents the insulin in our body to burn carbohydrates and fats. This leads to quick weight gain. This diet plan was thus made to battle over insulin resistance syndrome.

On what does this diet focus? It precisely says one must follow a good and proper diet avoiding bad carbohydrates and fats. How to differentiate between good and bad fats and carbohydrates? Foods in which glycemic index, Tran’s fats and saturated fats are high are termed as bad fats and carbs. Before we proceed further, let us define the term ‘glycemic index’. It is an index that measures the rate at which the foods increase the blood sugar level while digestion. By avoiding bad fats and carbs, the insulin resistance is under control and lets the body to metabolize the food that is taken. This diet concentrates on changing the food habits once for all, unlike other diet plans wherein one must follow a diet schedule for some weeks, lose weight and get back to the regular food plan.

In this plan, there is no restriction on the intake of the food but dishes that fall in the bad fats and carbs list must be avoided. But the sole difficulty involved here is most of the scrumptious dishes which people love to eat fall in this ‘bad’ list.

This diet plan constitutes three phases. The first phase is the tough stage as one must be very restrictive in their intake of food. All the food items listed in the bad category must be avoided as much possible. It includes items like starchy vegetables, dishes made out of flour, cereals and grains. If you are able to be under control then the first phase is a cake walk for you. In this phase, you can eat beef, pork and chicken until and unless they are baked or broiled. You can take loads of fresh vegetables and drink any amount of coffee, tea and water. The net result of this phase is the loss of around ten pounds in just two weeks.

Next comes the second phase. In this phase, you are recommended to take plenty of fruits, grains and vegetables. This is a longest phase because you must stick on to the above mentioned diet till you lose the desired amount of weight. Once you lose the required weight, then you move onto the last phase. This is a simple stage as you are permitted to have three meals per day with light snacks in between. This becomes your permanent diet plan throughout your life.

The Merits and Demerits of the South Beach Diet

Merits

1. This diet plan is not complex as you are just asked to reform your eating habits.
2. Intake of foods is not restricted completely but only few items that constitute the bad list are to be avoided.
3. It gives a permanent diet schedule, thereby the weight loss is drastic and your weight is retained forever.
4. Quick weight loss.

Demerits

1. The initial phase is close to impossible. All forms of food items are to be avoided leading people to starvation. Not many would be ready for this.
2. No proper figures or chart is provided regarding the calorie counts. And the plan is not very clear which might land people to confusion and misinterpretation.
3. No importance is given to physical exercise which plays a vital role in weight reduction.
4. Before adopting this plan, look in for reviews in the net and see if this is an apt one for you. There are plenty of cookery books that assist you in following this plan.