The South Beach Diet Revisited
South Beach Diet. Mmm. We all know it’s a fad diet nowadays. Hollywood is eating it. The local tinseltown is going crazy over it. It is very popular indeed that restaurants are serving South Beach on their menu for patrons who are conscious of their body figure.
But what exactly is South Beach Diet?
This summer—the season of sexy Speedos and potential summer flings, the
one beach on everybody’s mind is surely South Beach—specifically,
the South Beach Diet. US Cardiologist Arthur Agatston authored the popular eating
plan after noticing that the low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet he prescribed to
his patients were making them fat.
Challenged to come up with a healthier alternative, he formulated a diet emphasizing a balance of good carbohydrates (whole grains, vegetables, whole fruits) and good fats (olive oil, canola oil,Omega-3 fish oil, and oil found in almost all nuts). The combination, he asserts, switches off our craving for carbohydrates, starches and sweets—the culprits behind our weight gain.
Of course, the name South Beach comes from the famous summer strip in Florida where gorgeous tanned bodies strut their stuff for ordinary people to ogle on. Catchy name really, especially that people from all over the world knows are familiar with that popular beach in the US. Of course, it also helps that the name itself evokes summer, sun, fun and frolicking. And what better way to enjoy the tropics than with a sexy body?
If you want a body like a runway supermodel or a hunky Calvin Klein underwear model, try South Beach to get you on the way to a well-trimmed body.
The
South Beach Diet is done in 3 phases that you must absolutely stick to
if you want the plan to effectively work out.
Phase 1
The strict 2-week period allows sources of low-fat sources of meat like
fish, chicken and turkey, as well as cuts of beef and pork that are less
fatty. Low-fat
to fat-free cheese, nuts, eggs, tofu and vegetables are also permissible.
Steer clear of all fruits, breads, baked goodies, rice, potatoes, pasta,
sugar and
alcohol. Portion sizes are your call, but eat until you no longer feel
deprived. Expect rapid weight loss and resist the tendency to stick to
Phase 1 for too
long, as you tend to lose muscle and bone mass thereby burning less calories
while you sleep.
Phase 2
Whole grain bread, brown rice, oatmeal, red wine and some fruits (apples, grapes,
mangoes, oranges) are gradually reintroduced in this phase. Off limits still
are white bread, white rice, potatoes, corn, carrots and other fruits (canned
fruit cocktail, fruit juices, pineapple, raisins, watermelon). Expect to
lose about a couple of pounds max a week.
Phase 3
High fiber carbohydrates, lean protein and mono-saturated fat from olive
oil and Omega-3 fatty acids are acceptable, as is the occasional urge
to “cheat” with
ice cream, cakes and cookies.