South Beach Diet – Review of Phase One

Review of the South Beach Diet – Overview

The South Beach Diet is, according to its author, not a low carbohydrate or high protein diet. This is true. The diet is a balance of fats, proteins and carbohydrates that is intended to change the blood chemistry of those that are using it.

Get Your Copy of The South Beach Diet

Most diets target short-term weight loss and forget about long-term goals. This diet is intended to be something that can be lived with for life.

The diet consists of three phases. Today we are reviewing Phase One. This phase is also known as the strict phase. During this time, most carbohydrates are removed from the diet.

What you can’t have in the strict phase:
Phase 1 – The Strict Phase (14 days)

1. NO bread
2. NO sugary vegetables
3. NO fatty meats
4. NO milk
5. NO non-reduced fat cheeses
6. NO cereals
7. NO rice
8. NO pasta
9. NO bakery goods
10. NO alcohol of any kind

In doing this, a detoxification takes place. The removal of carbohydrates and fatty items makes the body start using its insulin more efficiently and, in most cases defeats insulin resistance.

For this reason, some diabetics have gone to this diet and found that their blood sugar is easier to control and they are sometimes able to reduce or eliminate sugar-controlling medications. This should be done with care and a doctor’s supervision.  Check with your doctor before even thinking about doing this as it requires close monitoring of blood sugar levels to avoid possible health risks related to diabetes.

Phase one is not as difficult to live with as it first appears. It is tough to give up most of your carbohydrates, but there are enough menu options given in The South Beach Diet to make it easy to bear. You don’t worry about counting calories on this plan. You just eat reasonably and as you feel hungry. There are lots of snack options, including one of my favorites that has ricotta cheese, instant cappuccino and almonds in it.

This diet does require planning and it can be a bit pricey as you are to use lean meat and lots of veggies as the bulk of the meal plan. The book has meal plans and recipes to make the task of dieting more pleasant. In fact, some of the recipes are very good!

This is a good diet for those who want to improve their heart health, control their blood sugar, or have a diet that has fast weight loss, gradual weight loss and weight maintenance features. I have used this diet myself with good success.

Later, I will review phases 2 and 3 of this program.

Tags: control, diet, dieting, fast weight loss, gradual weight loss, insulin resistance, loss, phase 1, phase one, south beach, strict, weight, weight maintenance, weightloss