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Author:
Chris Chew

The South Beach diet plan was developed for obese patients by an American cardiologist in Florida, Dr Arthur Agatston. He supports the consumption of mostly "good carbohydrates" and "good fats."

The South Beach diet is often being confused or compared to the Atkin's diet which was developed by the late Dr Atkin. The Atkin's Diet is mainly a low-carbohydrate dieting system.

Dr. Agatston believes that excessive consumption of "bad carbohydrates" ie high glycemic carbohydrates, creates an insulin resistance in the human body. This is a malfunction of the hormone insulin's ability to properly process fat and sugar. He also held the view that over consumption of "bad fats", such as saturated fat and trans fat, contributes to an increase in cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and stroke.

To prevent these two conditions, The South Beach diet minimizes consumption of bad fats and bad carbohydrates and instead push for the replacement of these unhealthy food with good fats and good carbs.

The South Beach Diet is a 3 step process. In all 3 steps of the diet, Dr. Agatston recommends minimizing consumption of bad fats.

The South Beach Diet Step 1 - During the first two weeks, weight loss dieters try to eliminate insulin resistance by avoiding high or moderately high-glycemic carbs, such as sugar, candy, white bread, potatoes, fruit, cereals, and refined grains such white rice. During this step, the body will lose its insulin resistance and begin to use excess body fat for energy, thus the dieter will lose weight rapidly as much as up to 10 pounds during this step.

The South Beach Diet Step 2 - During the second phase of The South Beach Diet two weeks later, whole grain foods, some starchy carbs and fruits are progressively reintroduced into the diet albeit bit by bit until the dieter reaches the desired ideal weight.

The South Beach Diet Step 3 - In step 3, dieters continue to increase consumption of whole grains, fruit servings and some moderate carbs. If the dieter's weight do not increase or stay at status quo, then that will be the level of carbs in his meals and henceforth to maintain his ideal weight, he will know his carbohydrate tolerance level.

The South Beach diet weight loss program do not have the cumbersome counting of calories or limiting calories. Dr Agatston suggested that you eat until you are satisfied. Dieters are told to eat small 6 meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with small snacks between each meal to increase their their metabolism for fat burning purpose.

About the Author :

Chris Chew is a celebrity fitness personal trainer. You can see more of his articles at Weight loss camps and programs and build defined muscles lose fat


Article Source: www.iSnare.com

| Article Keywords: Healthy Diets

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Healthy Diets... Traditional Mediterranean Diet The traditional Mediterranean diet is a rich combination of vegetables, fruit, cereals, legumes, beans and nuts cooked, dressed or garnished with olive oil. The diet also constitutes moderate consumption of milk and milk products such as cheese and yogurt. The people of the Mediterranean region include a moderate intake of wine too. Thus, the traditional Mediterranean diet believes in more consumption of plant food and weekly and monthly intake of animal food. Studies have been ongoing for years to find the secret of good health enjoyed by people living in the Mediterranean region. The Mediterranean region is a cluster of more than twenty states. Each state has its own culture, tradition, customs, practices and food habits. In spite of these differences, every state was found to make use of olive oil and red wine, ate a diet of more plant food rather than animal and enjoyed an active life style. In other words, people in this region followed a traditional Mediterranean diet even though the preparation of food varied from state to state. The traditional Mediterranean diet is explained through the Traditional Mediterranean Diet Pyramid. Apparently, intake of food products has been classified. Based on the nutritional value of various food products, it has been classified for normal, moderate and low consumption on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. The daily diet recommends vegetables, cereals, bread, pastas, potatoes, nuts, fruit along with moderate intake of dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese and wine. Interestingly, an active life style has also been included in the daily diet. Weekly food includes poultry, eggs and seafood and red meat is recommended only few times a month. Thus, the diet ensures good fat provided by olive oil reducing saturated "bad" fat...