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The South Beach diet is a great diet plan which will help you lose excess weight in your body by cutting down on unwanted carbohydrates and fats in your diet. Our lifestyles have become so busy and hectic that we tend to ignore healthy food options in our diet and resort to eating junk food that is easy and fast to cook and eat. Therefore, we need diets like the South Beach Diet, which helps lose weight systematically and in a very healthy manner. A famous cardiologist named Dr. Arthur Agatston designed this diet therefore; you can be rest assured that this diet which has come from the medical community. Since patients with heart diseases or diabetes need to lose weight to tackle their health problems, this diet was designed for people who have these problems. The diet makes you consume less of the high glycemic index carbohydrates (like rice, white bread) thereby, making you crave less for carbs in general. By consuming foods which have a high glycemic index, we end up craving for more carbohydrates which results in weight gain. This cascading effect of consuming carbohydrates is really what causes weight gain. Various Phases in the South Beach Diet Weight loss occurs in three phases in the South Beach diet: Phase 1: In this phase, people have been known to lose the maximum weight. The reason for this is the fact that in this phase the maximum amount of “unhealthy” foods are eliminated in your diet. The first phase is said to be the most restrictive part of the diet. This phase goes on for the first two weeks. Typical allowed foods are proteins, which are allowed in the diet in the form of meats, tofu, eggs and nuts. You are not allowed to skip any meal during the day and you are also allowed two mid-day snacks. Phase 2: The second phase of the diet could last much longer considering that this phase will last till you reach your ideal weight. This phase does not impose as many restrictions on the diet as the first phase did. You are allowed to consume carbohydrates in this phase in the form of whole wheat pasta or bread, multigrain bread, brown rice and even wine. The first 2 weeks absolutely disallow sugar in the diet therefore, in this phase if you’re craving desserts, you are allowed to have the occasional slice of cake. Phase 3: The last phase starts once you have hit your ideal weight. This phase is not short term in nature and it is indicative of how your lifestyle should look like in the long term. It ensures you only consume what is healthy and leave out all the unhealthy food in your diet. If you miss eating something exciting or tasty you could pamper yourself with dessert treats once in a while. Some recommended food items which can be added in your diet are meats like turkey, chicken or seafood. Other protein rich items like lentils, eggs, tofu and nuts. Everyday apart from the three stipulated meals, you are also allowed two snacks between breakfast and lunch and lunch and dinner. Fruits are not allowed in the first phase while vegetables are highly encouraged. If you haven't started South Beach yet and you're still wondering if it is the right weight loss plan for you, be sure to read the South beach diet.
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