Posted on March 31, 2009 in Diet-Trends, Diet-Types
What is The South Beach Diet?
The South Beach Diet Plan was created by a well known cardiologist from Florida, Dr. Arthur Agatston. The objective was to devise an alternative to low-fat and low-carb diets that can be easier to follow and prevent heart disease.
What Makes the South Beach Diet Different from Other Diets?
Unlike other diet plans, the South Beach Diet focuses on eating good carbohydrates and good fats instead of eating low carbohydrates and low fats.
- Replacing Simple Carbs with High-Fiber Carbs: Experts believe that simple carbs that are easily digestible can create an instant spike in sugar level. The South Beach diet is suggested to replace these simple carb foods such as pasta or white bread with high-fiber carbohydrates such as brown rice, fat-free milk etc. High-fiber carbs take a longer time to digest than simple carbs and, so, can result in lower insulin level. It is suggested that eating fiber-rich carbohydrates can add to the bulk of the meal, thereby making you feel fuller, so you eat moderately.
- Replacing Saturated Fats with Unsaturated Fats: Experts opine that trans fats and saturated fats can shoot up the level of bad cholesterol (LDL), thereby increasing the risk of heart diseases. The Sough Beach Diet focuses on replacing the trans and saturated fats with healthy intake of unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids. These can increase the level of good cholesterol (HDL) and contribute to heart health.
Different Phases of the South Beach Diet
There are three phases of South Beach Diet.
- Phase I – Initial stage of first two weeks. It eliminates intake of all carbohydrates, sugars, some higher glycemic index foods, etc. Only lean meats and low-glycemic index vegetables, some nuts, low-fat cheese are allowed.
- Phase II – Continues for as long as one wishes. It re-introduces intake of moderate amount of high-fiber carbohydrates, more nuts, etc.
- Phase III – Lasts for a life time.
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