South Beach Diet - Healthy weight loss diet plan?
Many people who on weight loss diets are confused
as to whether The South Beach Diet is the same as Atkin's diet. It is in this
writer's opinion that The South Beach Diet lies somewhere between The Zone
Diet and The Atkin's Diet.
Since most people are aware of the famous or
infamous (whether you are a supporter or a critic of Dr Atkins), we will
discuss the merits of the South Beach healthy weight loss diet plan in this
article
The South Beach diet plan was developed by a Miami
cardiologist, Dr Arthur Agatston. The good doctor endorses the consumption of
"good carbohydrates" and "good fats." Dr. Agatston developed the South Beach
Diet Plan for his heart patients relying on his study of scientific dieting
research.
The South Beach weight
loss diet plan is often being confused or compared to the Atkin's diet
plan which was developed by the late Dr Atkin. The Atkin's Diet plan is
predominantly a low-carbohydrate diet. In fact, total restriction of
carbohydrate consuption is recommend during the first two week's induction
phase of the Atkin's diet.
Dr. Agatston believes that excess
consumption of so-called "bad carbohydrates" ie high glycemic carbohydrates
creates an insulin resistance syndrome. This is an impairment of the hormone
insulin's ability to properly process fat and sugar.
In addition, he believes that over
consumption of "bad fats", such as saturated fat and trans fat, contributes to
an increase in cardiovascular disease. To prevent these two conditions, The
South Beach diet minimizes consumption of bad fats and bad carbohydrates and
encourages the consumption of good fats and good carbs.
The South Beach weight loss diet plan
The South Beach Diet comes in 3 phases. In all 3
zones of the diet,
Dr. Agatston recommends minimizing consumption of bad fats. That means
saturated and trans fat.
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The South Beach Diet Phase 1
During the first two weeks,
dieters try to eliminate insulin resistance by avoiding high or moderately
high-glycemic carbs, such as sugar, candy, bread, potatoes, fruit, cereals,
and grains. This is slightly in contrast with The Atkins Diet of which dieters
cut all carbohydrate consumption.
During this phase, the body will lose its
insulin resistance and begin to use excess body fat for energy, thus the
dieter may lose between
8 to 14 pounds.
During the second phase two weeks later, whole
grain foods, some starchy carbs and fruits are gradually and progressively
reintroduced into the diet albeit bit by bit. When the dieter reaches the
desired weight, then will he embark on phase three of The South Beach Diet
weight loss plan.
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The South Beach Diet Phase 3
In Phase three of the South Beach Diet, dieters
continue to increase consumption of whole grains and fruit servings. If the
dieter's weight do not increase, then that will be the level of carbs in his
meals henceforth to maintain his ideal weight. If his weight increases, then
he will have to cut down on the bad carbs to find his body weight
equillibrium.
The South Beach healthy weight loss diet plan do
not require the often confusing counting of calories. Dr Agatston suggested
that you can eat until you are satisfied. Dieters are told to eat 6 meals a
day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with small snacks between each meal to
crank up their metabolism. Do you think that this is a healthy
weight loss diet plan?
Your fitness coach