Phase 1 - South Beach Diet

Phase one of South Beach Diet lasts two weeks. During this phase dieters attempt to eliminate insulin resistance by avoiding high carbohydrate food such as dairy, sugar, candy, bread, potatoes, fruit, cereals, and grains. Dr. Agatston claims the body will lose its insulin resistance, and begin to use excess body fat, causing many dieters to lose between 8 and 13 pounds after completing the first phase. Food that can be eaten during this phase include meat, fish, vegetables, eggs, cheese, and nuts. During this phase dieters are advise to take three meals a day, plus snacks, and are encourage to eat until their hunger is satisfied. No alcohol is allowed (though red wine will be introduced later in small amounts). At the end of the phase dieter loses weight, changes body chemistry, and ends cravings for sugars and starches.

South Beach Diet Tips

Here are some tips to keep in mind if you follow the South Beach diet plan:

• Visit your health care provider before beginning the South Beach diet (or any diet) to get the go ahead.
• Be sure to take nutritional supplements during Phase 1 and 2 of the diet.
• Stay well hydrated throughout the diet, by drinking at least 8 glasses of water each day.
• Find South Beach diet recipes that can help you to vary your meals.
• Visit your health care provider for regular checkups to make sure that your nutrition and weight are at healthy levels.

How South Beach Diet Begin?

Dr Agatston, an American cardiologist originally created the South Beach diet for his heart patients. While his actual aim was to improve his patient heart health, he also discovered that the diet significant help to reduce their weight. After consulting a nutritionist in Miami, he created what is now called The South Beach Diet for his patients.

How The Diet Works?

The South Beach Diet follows the same principles of other diets based on the Glycaemic Index. Plus it recommends swapping saturates for unsaturates. When we've eaten, the carbohydrates in food get broken down into sugars, which are then absorbed into the blood causing a rise in blood sugar. In response, the hormone insulin is released from the pancreas to remove the sugar from the blood.

Dr Agatston claims that the diet he created is not low-carb or low-fat diet - instead it focuses on eating the 'right' carbs and the 'right' fats. In fact, the South Beach Diet is based on the Glycaemic Index. In practice, the diet severely restricts carbohydrates in the first two weeks, before gradually re-introducing those with a low glycaemic index. Plus it recommends swapping saturates for unsaturates.