South Beach Diet Review

Is the South Beach Diet a healthy alternative to low-carb diets?

The South Beach Diet is just one of the popular weight loss programs out there right now. Countless people have embraced this system. And, when you take a closer look at the South Beach Diet, you can see why.

What Is the South Beach Diet?

Developed by noted cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatston, the South Beach Diet is based on the principle that there are good carbs and bad carbs.

The glycaemic index ranks carbohydrates according to the effect they have on the body. The bad carbs are foods with a high glycaemic index like mashed potatoes, french fries, bagels, white bread, and many of the cereals that find their way to your breakfast table. Eating foods with a high glycaemic index starts a vicious cycle. When you eat these foods, your blood sugar levels drop, which robs you of energy. As a result, your body craves more carbs, which makes you feel hungry. So, you eat more of these foods, your energy level drops, and you crave more carbs. And, as the cycle continues, weight gain is a definite possibility.

On the other hand, good carbs are foods with a low glycaemic index, like pasta and wholegrain breads. Eating these foods won’t cause the same kind of craving for more carbohydrates. Fewer cravings means you will eat less and lose weight. But you won’t be depriving yourself of some of the carbohydrate-rich foods you probably love.

Why People Are Drawn to the South Beach Diet?

There are many reasons why those looking to lose weight are drawn to the South Beach Diet.

  • The South Beach Diet promises that you can lose from 8 to 13 pounds in the first two weeks you are on the diet, which is a plus for those looking for quick results. Also, you will continue to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week for as long as you are on the program.
  • The South Beach Diet isn’t a low-carb diet that drastically restricts the carbs in your diet, or even eliminates them altogether. You can still eat carbs while on the South Beach Diet. You just have to eat the right kinds of carbs. So you can still have your toast in the morning. But, instead of white bread, you will use whole grain bread.
  • The South Beach Diet is not a low calorie or starvation diet. There is no calorie counting. You eat when you feel hungry, and stop eating when you feel satisfied. And, because you have taken the bad carbs out of your diet, you won’t feel hungry as often, so you won’t eat as often.

Starting the South Beach Diet Takes Discipline

The biggest downside of the South Beach Diet is the first two weeks of the program.

In the first two weeks, the amount of carbs you are allowed to eat is drastically reduced. The purpose of this is to kick your body out of the bad carbs/cravings/bad carbs/cravings cycle.

Some people might find it hard sticking with the first two very strict weeks of the South Beach Diet plan. But, once you make it through the first two weeks, the toughest part is over, and good carbs are reintroduced into your diet.

Many who have tried the South Beach Diet have found that it isn’t just a good way to lose weight fast. It’s a program they can stick to and use to maintain their ideal weight for a lifetime.

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