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South Beach Diet

About

The South Beach Diet originated from Dr Arthur Agatston in South Florida. The diet was initially developed for overweight heart patients where excellent results were seen in both their general health and weightloss. Since then it has become a much more well known diet with celebrity followers such as Oprah Winfrey, Bill Clinton, Bette Midler and Nicole Kidman to name only a few.

The Diet is very much about maintaing a healthy lifestyle whilst losing weight and as such has many great nutrional foods included in the diet making it a perfect long term plan to follow. There are lots of great recipes available on the South Beach Diet website as well as the What-Diet.com recipe corner so you will never be short of a few ideas.

It has been compared to the Atkins diet, but it is really much healthier than that. After an initial low carb stint for a couple of weeks it becomes a well rounded healthy diet when you get into the second phase and particularly the third and final phase.

How It Works

The South Beach Diet is split up into three phases which you need to go through in order. The first phase is really a shock to the system and consists predominantly of a low-carb diet plan, however, this only last for the first two weeks and in this period you can expect to see some great weightloss.

The second phase is your weight loss phase where you follow a healthy balanced diet and should see a steady weightloss of 1-2 pounds a week (this varies slightly depending on your starting weight and target weight) until you hit your target weight.

The great aspect of the South Beach Diet is that once you hit your target weight you then go into phase three where your diet needs change slightly as you go from a weightloss phase into a maintainance phase. The diet plan in phase three gives you more freedom wwhilst still keeping you on a healthy living diet ensuring that you keep the weight off.

Due to the nature of the diet and variety you get when it comes to what you can eat you would need to either purchase the South Beach Diet book and follow the guidlines set out in there or register at www.southbeachdiet.com where you can currently get everything you need with a free 7 day trial.

Below is a brief overview on what the South Beach Diet says you can expect to be eating during each of the three phases:

Phase 1

The focus of this two-week period is on eating plenty of nutrient-dense, fiber-rich (and guaranteed delicious!) foods that satisfy your appetite. Your meals include lean protein, such as fish and other seafood; skinless white-meat poultry, and lean cuts of beef (vegetarians can enjoy meat substitutes, tofu, and beans); high-fiber veggies; reduced-fat cheeses; eggs; low-fat dairy; and healthy, unsaturated fats, such as those found in avocados, nuts and seeds, and extra-virgin olive and canola oils.

During Phase 1, you'll fill up on dishes like Chicken Breasts Stuffed With Spinach and Goat Cheese, Seared Pecan Salmon With Lentils, Garlic and Soy Grilled Pork Chops, and more.

The South Beach Diet encourages snacking, so you'll also get to choose two tasty snacks each day, like Spicy Nut Mix, reduced-fat cheese, and veggies with our zesty Peanut Dip. Plus, you'll dine on delicious desserts (every day!), including Chilled Espresso Custard, Heavenly Lemon Mousse, and our famed Ricotta Crème. With all the options - from gourmet meals to on-the-go snacks to quick weeknight dinners - you won't feel hungry or deprived!

Phase 2

In Phase 2, you'll eat everything in Phase 1 plus good carbs, such as whole-grain bread, brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, fruits, and even more veggies, like sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and peas. Of course, you'll continue to enjoy snacks and dessert too, including dark chocolate!

In fact, you'll eat delicious meals, like Coconut Chicken, Shrimp Scampi, Pesto Pasta Salad, and Pork and Black Bean Quesadillas. Side dishes include Nutty Brown Rice and Baked Sweet Potato Fries. And don't forget snacks: Smoked Salmon Canapés With Horseradish Cream, Peppery Cheese Popcorn, and black bean dip with baked whole-grain tortilla chips are a few of the many snacks you'll choose from.

Then, cap off your dinner with a decadent dessert, like Green Tea Truffles, Chocolate Berry Cups, or Dark Chocolate Bark With Walnuts. Best of all, you'll eat all these delicious foods and still lose weight and get healthier.

Phase 3

In Phase 3, you'll continue to follow the principles you learned in Phases 1 and 2, but because it's the lifelong stage of the plan, it includes almost every kind of food and it allows for additional occasional indulgences. It is the key to maintaining a healthy weight for life.

On Phase 3, you can dine on meals like Dutch Apple Pancakes (a terrific weekend brunch), Chicken Pot Pie, Asian Chicken Salad With Wonton Crisps, and Pepper-Spiked Beef Stew. Phase 3-friendly sides include Farmers' Market Pasta Salad, Apple-Butternut Squash Soup, and corn on the cob. As for snacks, you can choose from fare like Triple Berry Cooler, Pecan-Stuffed Dates, and tropical fruit salad. And you'll indulge in desserts like Chocolate Pie With Crispy Peanut Butter Crust and Chocolate Fondue. Imagine eating this way for the rest of your life!