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 Atkin), 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.

Easy weight loss method

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.

• 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.
  
  

• The South Beach Diet Phase 2

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.

• 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?




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