Diet books and fad diets are nothing new. It seems that every few months there'sa new weight loss program being promoted by so-called experts as the new miracle diet. We, as consumers, are bombarded by before and after photos and testimonials from people who have lost weight with some fabulous new program.
Two years ago, another new diet book hit stores. It was called The South Beach Diet, written by Dr. Arthur Agatston. Since its launch in 2003, The South Beach Diet has been included in the New York Times bestseller 'list with an impressive 103 weeks. Dr. Agatston has released companion books, started a payment system based on web, and is working with Kraft Foods to create a line of pre-packaged South Beach menu items. How is this diet different from other, more important, work?
The main idea of South Beach is to eat three meals a day along with snacks and even dessert, while avoiding highly processed foods. Dr. Agatston said that South Beach is not low-carb, low fat, carbohydrate, but quite good, and good fats. The diet is divided into three phases: phase one is very restrictive and lasts about two weeks, the second phase is much more open with food choices and lasts until you reach your ideal weight, and the third phase called "maintenance" that should guide your food choices for the rest of his life.
During the first phase, you can eat until it is complete (not packed, there simply is more hunger) from a list of approved foods. The list consists mostly of vegetables and lean meats, including seafood and low fat or fat-free products dairy free and vegetables. You can have sugar free Jell-O or popsicles as treats; up to 75 calories worth per day. Nuts and natural peanut Butter are also on the list, but with limits. You're basically giving up bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, and sugar in all its forms. The South Beach Diet book claims you can lose 8-13 kilos in just two weeks in the first phase and would lose the belly fat first.
The second phase extends the menu its very a little. Now you can eat bread, pasta, brown rice, fruit selection, and (my personal favorite) sugar-free gelatin or pudding. Still no sugar but, except for the occasional bite of black chocolate. Good carbohydrates in the form of whole grains and legumes, and good fats in the form of unsaturated, non-hydrogenated things like I Can not Believe It's Not Butter spray and olive oil are all approved.
Once you've reached your ideal weight, which is quite on their own. The third step allows you to eat within the phase two guidelines, adding occasional food comes in white, "but omitting the snacks that now dependent. There is not much guidance here, since by now you should know what your body can handle. Dr. Agatston recommends you return to the stage two, if you are weight gain again.
Sounds simple enough, right? The book even states that do not need to exercise to lose weight with this plan (although it is recommended add physical activity as part of your weight loss effort). While the eating plan is certainly healthy, there are some drawbacks to this diet - or at least in the form is presented.
The first phase is very restrictive. Sure, you're only there for two weeks, and the possible loss of weight is very encouraging. Many people, however, not lose "guarantee" 8-13 pounds in phase one and get discouraged. Not only that, but suddenly drop all sugar and refined carbohydrates from your diet may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, inability to focus or concentrate, and constipation (believe it or not). This rapid weight loss phase is designed to control their cravings, but sometimes the side effects just are not worth it. If you think you can manage your cravings, go directly to phase two.
South Beach also recommends the use of sugar substitutes, specifically Splenda. Some people have trouble digesting aspartame, while others prefer to avoid healthy substance and substitute a chemically processed alternative. Explore your options in this case - there are other ways to sweeten foods without sugar or chemicals.
While you're in phase two, your weight loss should slow down a pound or two a week, according to the book. This weight loss is reasonable, and slow is definitely healthier than lose the kilos quickly. It is a balanced diet and has great effects on their health, with the added benefit to lose extra pounds. What is confused by what the book refers to if there are ingredients in recipes that are not found in the foods recommended to Enjoy list. Also, Dr. Agatston asks that you add grains and fruit back to your diet gradually, and only a portion of a day to start, and gradually increase your servings until you find your weight loss slower. If you follow the daily menu plans in the book but there are several fruit and grain servings per day.
For anyone who needs a structured plan based on the numbers, the South Beach Diet is not the way forward. But if you like the freedom of not having to count anything, and using common sense to lose weight, then South Beach is more of a strategic plan and eating a strict diet that work very well for you. Note that all diets revolve around the same principle: take in fewer calories than you burn off. Burn more calories than you consume, and the weight will come off. Eating well and enjoy a healthy diet is essential for this process, and that is where the South Beach diet is shining.
Written by Patrick Beaufay
For more information, please visit my blog:
http://burn-fat-fast.blogspot.com
Burning Fat Fast
About the Author:
From Patrick Beaufay, author name: Patou
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - South Beach Diet Book
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