Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Weight Loss with the South Beach Diet
Among all the FAD diets that have come and gone during the last years, the South Beach Diet belongs to the long lasting ones. The basic of this diet is the low carb philosophy introduced and developed by Dr. Atkins and known as the famous Atkins Diet. However, there are some differences between these two weight loss diets. The South Beach diet has been followed by thousands of people since its inception several years ago.
The diet plan, developed by Dr. Arthur Agatston, works by restricting carbohydrate intake through a three phrase process to help the dieter lose weight and keep it off for a lifetime. Similar in nature to the Atkin’s diet, the South Beach diet plan differs in two very important ways: It does not encourage the unrestricted eating of fats and it does not count the grams in carbohydrates.
The three phases involved with the South Beach diet plan include an induction phase that promotes rapid weight loss, a continued weight loss phase that will help remove one to two pounds per week, and a maintenance phase that the dieter should adhere to for the rest of their lives to maintain the weight loss.
In the first phase carbohydrates are all but banned from the diet, the second phase reintroduces carbohydrates in limited amounts and the final phase promoted healthy eating through low carbohydrate intake and fat moderation.
As with most diet plans, the South Beach diet has not had long-term research to back up the overall health benefits of the diet. Many dieters feel that low carbohydrate plans, or any plan that restricts a certain type of food, are harder to stay on because our bodies naturally crave carbohydrate-based foods.
Several medical organizations have come out in recent years warning against any such diet that restricts food intake of a certain type because they believe that in the long-term it will do more damage to the body than good. As such, before beginning the South Beach diet (or any diet plan) you should consult with your doctor about the possible side effects and risks associated with it.
Weight loss is a journey, and should not be thought of as just a goal that once achieved can be forgotten about. Proper diet and exercise are the only long-term way that has been studied for maintaining a healthy body. While the South Beach diet may work for some people it should not be thought of as the only solution to weight loss issues.
Among all the FAD diets that have come and gone during the last years, the South Beach Diet belongs to the long lasting ones. The basic of this diet is the low carb philosophy introduced and developed by Dr. Atkins and known as the famous Atkins Diet. However, there are some differences between these two weight loss diets. The South Beach diet has been followed by thousands of people since its inception several years ago.
The diet plan, developed by Dr. Arthur Agatston, works by restricting carbohydrate intake through a three phrase process to help the dieter lose weight and keep it off for a lifetime. Similar in nature to the Atkin’s diet, the South Beach diet plan differs in two very important ways: It does not encourage the unrestricted eating of fats and it does not count the grams in carbohydrates.
The three phases involved with the South Beach diet plan include an induction phase that promotes rapid weight loss, a continued weight loss phase that will help remove one to two pounds per week, and a maintenance phase that the dieter should adhere to for the rest of their lives to maintain the weight loss.
In the first phase carbohydrates are all but banned from the diet, the second phase reintroduces carbohydrates in limited amounts and the final phase promoted healthy eating through low carbohydrate intake and fat moderation.
As with most diet plans, the South Beach diet has not had long-term research to back up the overall health benefits of the diet. Many dieters feel that low carbohydrate plans, or any plan that restricts a certain type of food, are harder to stay on because our bodies naturally crave carbohydrate-based foods.
Several medical organizations have come out in recent years warning against any such diet that restricts food intake of a certain type because they believe that in the long-term it will do more damage to the body than good. As such, before beginning the South Beach diet (or any diet plan) you should consult with your doctor about the possible side effects and risks associated with it.
Weight loss is a journey, and should not be thought of as just a goal that once achieved can be forgotten about. Proper diet and exercise are the only long-term way that has been studied for maintaining a healthy body. While the South Beach diet may work for some people it should not be thought of as the only solution to weight loss issues.
http://www.redsofts.com/articles/read/124/19630/Weight_Loss_with_the_South_Beach_Diet.html