The South Beach Diet - Does it Really Work?

By Denise Brienne

The South Beach Diet is another popular lower-carbohydrate diet. It was created by Dr. Arthur Agatston, a cardiologist from Miami Beach, Florida. He felt like his patients needed a heart-healthy way to lose weight, and so he wrote his diet in the popular book, The South Beach Diet: The Delicious, Doctor-Designed Foolproof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss.

At first glance, the South Beach Diet looks surprisingly like the Atkins Diet. South Beach Dieters are not allowed to eat any carbohydrates for the two-week induction phase. They must only eat proteins for this period. Gradually, after induction is complete, they can reintroduce healthy carbohydrates into their diet, until they have reached a long-term diet that they maintain for a lifetime.

How is this different from the Atkins Diet? In the Atkins Diet, all fats are considered fine. The South Beach Diet bans unhealthy fats from its program. Also, instead of focusing on the number of grams of carbs consumed, the South Beach Diet focuses on the amount of sugar in the carbs that are consumed. This means that, after induction, more carbs are allowed than are allowed on the Atkins Diet.

On the South Beach Diet, you are allowed to eat when you are hungry. You are actually encouraged to eat small snacks throughout the day. You are supposed to eat until you are satisfied, and then stop. However, you will not able to eat foods that are rich in sugars, including corn and potatoes, which are not normally considered "banned" diet foods.

The first two weeks are the most difficult on this diet. Most people, especially Americans, are addicted to carbs. The induction phase removes all carbs from the diet, sending the body into a form of detox as it gets used to life without carbs. After surviving induction, the carb cravings are curbed, and most dieters are able to follow a healthy diet plan for the long term.

So does the diet work? Yes, it does, and because it focuses on healthy foods, it is a great diet to keep for the long term. You are allowed to eat all of the food groups on the South Beach Diet. You are simply taught how to do it in a healthy manner. Make sure you are willing to stay with the diet for the long term, however, as you will lose the benefits if you resume your normal eating habits.

Want more inforomation on the South Beach Diet? Then head on over to http://www.FreeDietPrograms.org for all the info you need on natural weight loss.

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