Diet: The South Beach Diet
Overview: Not low carb. Not low fat. Instead, focuses on the right carbs and right fats. Intends to be filling with normal-sized portions of meats, vegetables, eggs, nuts, cheese. Water, coffee, and tea are allowed. No bread, rice, pasta, baked goods, fruit, or sweets for two weeks, with a gradual reintroduction of these foods afterward. Phase 1, of this diet, is the first two weeks. Phase two reintroduces fruits and a few items you really like. Phase 3 occurs when you meet your target weight, and is a more liberal version of the plan. Features comprehensive recipes and meal plans for all three phases for this diet.
The major keys of this weight loss plan: Three meals PLUS two snacks PLUS dessert in all three phases of the plan. Full-sized portions. The key is eliminating bad carbs and bad fats to help help with weight loss.
Mission Viejo Weight Loss Clinic asks:
What do you see as the major strengths of this weight loss plan?
This diet falls into the "low carb" craze that’s been very popular in the United States, despite its claim of not low carb. Most diets are often hard to follow, but this diet is relatively easy to follow. Outside of the first two weeks where essentially all carbohydrates and fatty foods are cut out, this diet is pretty liberal. The diet also focuses on lean proteins and complex carbohydrates which will be more healthy in the long run. Multiple studies have shown that a diet that is high in lean protein, good fats, and complex carbohydrates can improve insulin sensitivity therefore improving diabetes and the metabolic syndrome.
Mission Viejo Weight Loss Clinic asks:
What are the weaknesses of this weight loss plan?
The concept behind the low carb trend. The scientific claim behind the South Beach diet is that foods high in carbohydrates can cause glucose to sharply rise in the blood. To counteract this, the reactive effect of insulin tends to lead to low glucose leading to increased hunger. This might be the case in people who are diabetics, however, this has never been proven in healthy people. Also the most amount of weight loss in this type of diet is in the first two weeks when people are taught to stay away from carbohydrates. Unfortunately most of the weight loss during this time is from water loss. When we do not consume carbohydrates, we will use up carbohydrate stores in our body first, and these carbohydrates are attached to water molecules. Often people may see a rapid drop in weight the first two weeks and the weight loss will slow down significantly and in some cases actually remain stagnant.
Mission Viejo Weight Loss Clinic asks:
If followed closely, is this a weight loss plan that will work for users? Why?
As a diet plan, this plan may be a great solution for most people if followed closely. People must realize that there is no magical bullet for weight loss. The concept of good fat, lean protein and complex carbohydrates will ultimately lead to a healthier body and lifestyle, but it’s through this mechanism that people are loosing healthy weight not the water weight that is shed during the first two weeks. Also one of the most important reasons why this diet may work for most people is that this is a relatively simple diet plan to follow.
Mission Viejo Weight Loss Clinic asks:
Is this a practical weight loss plan for most people in their everyday lives? Why or why not?
This is a very practical weight loss plan. Outside of the concept that the diet mainly works because of the low carbohydrate issue, this is a very healthy diet. Most importantly, it is relatively simple and liberal. This, however, may also be its downfall as people may become too lax on the program.
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