Tried South Beach and failed?

If the answer to the above question is yes, then I strongly recommend that you check out Fat Loss 4 Idiots.

This diet plan has been an online best seller for years, and thousands of people have used it to successfully lose weight and KEEP IT OFF! Includes two completely different diet plans and an online diet generator.

Click here to check it out now.

The South Beach Diet

If you have ever dieted either successfully or unsuccessfully, you have heard of the South Beach Diet. Have you ever wondered about exactly what it is and if it could be beneficial to you? You have come to the right place, here you will find the pertinent information about this diet and be able to make an informed decision on whether it is right for you.

Origin and History

This diet was originally developed for cardiac patients of cardiologist Arthur Agatston. He was a graduate of New York University practicing in Miami Florida. His idea was to create a diet for his heart patients that would decrease their risk for cardiovascular disease. He believed that the major contributor to the disease were bad fats and bad carbohydrates. Therefore, he developed a diet with three phases for his patients and an amazing side effect of the diet was major weight loss.

Theory and practice

The diet is separated into three distinct phases, one to jump-start the body, two is for long-term weight loss, and three is the maintenance diet.

Phase 1

In phase one a dieter is to eliminate all simple carbohydrates. The idea is the faster these are processed the more weight you will gain; this also leads to insulin resistance. So for two weeks, you must avoid foods like:

• Breads
• Sugar
• Candy
• Potatoes
• Fruit
• Cereal
• Grains

Foods that are allowed are:

• Meat
• Fish
• Eggs
• Nuts
• Cheese

During this phase, you should eat three meals of normal portions every day, plus snacks. The advice is to eat until full, do not try to starve yourself while on this diet.

Phase 2

During this phase whole grain foods, dairy and fruits are allowed back in the diet. The idea is to still choose foods that are low on the glycemic index. During this phase, sweet potatoes and red wine in moderation are allowed. You are to stay in this phase until the desired amount of weight is lost.

Phase 3

When you have reached your goal weight this is the maintenance diet that you will continue permanently. It is here that whole grains and fruits are introduced back into the diet. The key is to eat high fiber carbohydrates that are low on the glycemic index; these are the good carbs, and good fats. A good fat is omega 3 fatty acids, anything that is polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat is ok. Bad fats are saturated and Trans fats.

When you have completed all phases of the South Beach Diet, you will have effectively begun a completely new way of eating. It will be a lifestyle instead of a diet. You are not required to count calories or go hungry; in fact, you should eat five times per day, three meals, and two snacks.

Effectiveness

Studies have shown that the South Beach Diet is very effective. Agatston et al did a study over the course of a year and found that people on the diet decreased their LDL or bad cholesterol and increased their HDL or good cholesterol. In addition to this, they lost as much as 13 pounds in the first two weeks.

Cindy Moore, director of nutrition therapy at The Cleveland Clinic said, "South Beach diet meets several criteria for a health-promoting diet. It appears to be scientifically based. It is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein, and it doesn't omit any major food groups."

Overall the South Beach Diet has been shown to be effective not only in clinical trials but by the sheer number of people still using the diet today. Fad diets come and go and one thing is for sure when something does not work it usually fades away as quickly as it came on the scene.