My Best Weight Loss Programs

If you are now into a weight loss venture, then most probably you have already heard of the South Beach Diet by cardiologist Arthur Agatston, MD, of the Mount Sinai Cardiac Prevention Center in Miami Beach, Florida.

As of the moment, it is one of the most well-known diet plans. It is akin to another popular diet, the Atkins Diet, because of some similarities in terms of food suggestions and approaches.

Generally, with the both diets, the South Beach and Atkins diets, carbohydrates are not allowed, therefore potatoes, fruit, bread, cereal, rice, pasta, beets, carrots, and corn are totally out, particularly during the first two weeks. However, true “good carbs” are not included in the exclusion.

Fortunately true “good carbs” are allowed, by which to some extent are necessary.

Few Differences

As aforementioned, the South beach diet is akin to another popular diet, the Atkins Diet. Almost everything in the two diets are the same, except for two things:

• Banning of fats. Generally, unhealthy fats are banned in the South Beach diet, but healthy fats are seriously promoted.
• Counting of Carbs. The nice thing about the South Beach diet is that you don’t need to count grams of carbs on your meals though the plan is so strict about carbs. Well, what’s important with the plan is the amount of sugar in a carb.

Recommendations, Limitations and Restrictions

The South Beach diet like many diet plans is also restrictive in a way that you can’t eat everything you want.

First and foremost, you need to stay away from sugar-rich carbs. As aforementioned, these include rice, potatoes, bread, pasta, baked goods and other vegetables like beets and corn. Similarly, pastries or other sugar-filled desserts are off the menu.

Same as with alcohol, wine, beer or the like, most especially during the initial phase. In terms of dairies, well, only two servings of low-fat or non-fat milk, yogurt, or buttermilk are allowed during a specific phase.

The South Beach Diet Works

The South Beach diet works mainly because of its gradual, effective approach to foods that are nutritious and delicious but not fattening. Its sensible approach to counting calories and portion sizes are also good, as dieters aren’t pressured at all.

Its theory about highly processed carbs does also makes sense. Thus, implying that higher processed carbs can be easily digested so therefore are capable of heightening your insulin levels and consequently your cravings for foods.

Finally, with the South Beach diet, you’ll be taught how to break the entire cycle of highly processed carbs and their relationship to weight gain through wise food selections.

Insights of Some Experts

The South Beach diet is a sensible diet plan. For the director of nutrition therapy at Cleveland Clinic and a former spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, Cindy Moore, RD, the South Beach diet is worth your time considering that it strongly promotes a lot of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein.

But on the flip side, Moore is really concerned about the possible lost weight which is more on water weight as it can actually put you in an electrolyte imbalance. Thus, before trying the South Beach diet, it’s vital that you see first a registered dietitian or perhaps a doctor for advice and eventually guidance.

Why Try the South Beach Diet

Obviously, there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all diet. In a way, the South Beach Diet may work for some but not to all dieters.

With the case of the South Beach Diet, well, there’s actually some weight loss effects but beware as the lost pounds, specially the first lost pounds, are typically from your water weight and not from your fats.