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The author of the south beach diet (also known as beach diet) is cardiologist Arthur Agatston. This diet is one of the low-carbohydrate diets and is based on three phases. The first phase of weight loss is the strictest one. Everyone, who overcome the first phase, should be able to maintain his/her new eating habits for the entire life as well as to keep the new weight and live much healthier.
Principle of the South Beach diet
Principle of the diet is possible to briefly summarize as: low fat, low carbs, lots of fiber. As we have already mentioned, this is a three-phase reduction diet. The first one, two-week phase is the strictest one, but according to Agatston you can lose up to three kg during this time. In the second phase, you can return little by little to some forbidden foods. Eating in the third phase should become your life philosophy, otherwise kilograms will bounce back.
Phases of the South Beach Diet
In the first phase only lean meat, chicken, eggs, egg substitudes, fish and olive oil are allowed. As a source of carbohydrates are considered foods prepared from vegetables, salads, nuts and a little of skim milk. The main sources of protein are fish, chicken, turkey, lean veal, pork, beef and lamb, yogurts, low-fat cheese, fats from nuts, olives, beet oil and peanuts. Serving size is defined accurately. Whole grains and foods with a low glycemic index are very emphasized in this diet as well.
Low glycemic index in limited quantity constitutes the second phase of the diet. Length of this part usually lasts 2 weeks or until your weight loss will be adequate to your goals. If you do not follow the regimen of the food intake, or your consumption exceeds the allowed amount, you will have to return to the first phase. Consumption of fruit is allowed only for lunch and dinner, not for breakfast. Replace all foods by whole wheat bread, sweet potatoes and natural rice. Portions of rice and potatoes are allowed in small quantity.
The third phase of the diet is based on gradual and slow addition of forbidden foods. It is recommended to eat standard food in normal portions. However, sometimes it is recommended to go back to the first two phases. The third base is designed to acquire your new healthy lifestyle and to maintain it for your entire life. The south beach diet does not prohibit intake of healthy fats and selected foods reach in carbohydrates in small quantities. This program does not provide enough calcium. In the first phase you will primarily lose weight in very effective way. The long term third phase does not usually occur in many diets.
The third phase of the diet is over. What next?
Thanks to the south beach diet and its appropriate diet plan, you will learn to regulate your appetite and serving sizes without counting their energy value. Additionally to the weight loss, you will learn to eat four or five times a day without feeling hungry.
Permitted and prohibited foods
Allowed foods: olive oil, poultry, fish, canola oil, nuts, milk, apples, low-fat yogurt, lentils, chickpeas, vegetables
Prohibited foods: potatoes, fruit, bread, cereals, rice, pasta, sugar beets, carrots, corn
The south beach diet and celebrities
The south beach diet is followed by several celebrities, such as Beyonce Knowles, Gisel Bündchen, Kim Catrall or Jennifer Lopez.
For who is the South Beach Diet suitable
The diet suits people who have no problems with reducing their carbohydrate intake and are interested in investigating of the composition of each food and its weight as well. Regular physical activity supports your health and weight loss while following this diet.
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