South Beach Diet
Can the South Beach Diet help you lose weight?
The South Beach Diet, not a low-carb or low-fat diet, was developed by cardiologist, Arthur Agatston. The diet is all about choosing the right carbohydrates, fats, and staying healthy. It is a well-balanced diet that includes large amounts of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, nuts, and healthy oils.
Unlike the Atkins diet, the South Beach diet encourages the consumption of mononsaturated fats like olive oil and omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. There are no limits on portion sizes, and you’re encouraged to eat three meals and snacks each day. According to Agatston, the South Beach Diet is a life change, not just another diet.
Benefits
- Many people that choose the South Beach Diet lose a lot of weight immediately, finding it to be a relatively easy diet to follow.
- Not only does this diet improve cholesterol and insulin levels, but it also helps many people lose weight.
- The diet plan teaches you to make healthier eating choices.
- It doesn’t require you to count calories.
- It is flexible, allowing you to substitute suggested meals with your preferred food choices.
Risks
- There is a carbohydrate restriction in the first two weeks of the diet, so please be aware of the potential side effects.
- Dr. Agatston recommends fish, which can potentially be contaminated with dangerous levels of mercury and PCBs from generations of water pollution from coal plants and other sources. Mercury and PCBs can lead to all kinds of disease including neurological disorders.
- Overall, you may end up missing out on some important vitamins and minerals.
What do experts say about the diet?
According to Cindy Moore, RD, the director of nutrition therapy at
the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, "The South Beach diet truly does
meet several of the criteria for a healthy diet. It's rich in
vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein." However,
Moore warns that if you're following the diet, it's a good idea to
work closely with a registered dietitian or your doctor.
Sources
- South Beach Diet. Getting Started: Seven Things To Remember. Retrieved on Nov 2, 2006
from http://www.southbeachdiet.com/public/dailydish/seven-things.asp - Wikipedia. South Beach Diet. Retrieved on Nov 2, 2006
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Beach_diet - WebMD. The South Beach Diet - What the experts say. Retrived on Nov 2, 2006
from http://www.webmd.com/content/article/92/102031.htm