The South Beach Diet has been successful in gaining wide popularity with the people including many Hollywood stars. It is one of the smartest diets on the market and is not actually a crash diet as all the vital nutrients required by the body have been included in the diet. While taking South Beach Diet it is expressly recommended that you should also maintain active physical routine as it ensures a weight loss that is sustained on long term basis.

South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet is neither low on fat or carb, but actually focuses on various types of foods that are eaten in routine by us. This diet program has been divided into three separate phases and first phase is the strictest one and with each additional phase, more and more food is added back in the diet.

In the first phase of South Beach diet, the main emphasis is on vegetables, lean proteins, olive oil and various types of seeds, and in the second phase fruits can also be added which rank low on glycemic index scale. Aside from fruits, moderate amount of pasta, cereals and some low fat dairy products are also included. Once the intended weight is reached, the third phase begins and you can add back most of the foods that you can enjoy in moderation while maintaining your South Beach Diet.

Advantages:

1. It is a good diet plan to achieve a weight loss that is sustainable over a long period of time.
2. Any major food group is not eliminated.
3. Advocates increased consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits.
4. This diet provides sufficient protein for supporting lean muscle mass.
5. There is no metabolic slow down.
6. Is good for every person as there are numerous ways to customize South Beach Diet for meeting individual dietary requirements.

The Verdict

The South Beach Diet is quite realistic and can help you in reaching your targeted weight, and can help in sustaining it over a period of time. Aside from the first phase that lasts about two weeks, its other phases are quite tolerable and are not too restrictive, so you can include numerous healthy foods in your diet.

As South Beach Diet plan includes whole grains in the second and third phase, so it is ideal for the athletes or all those who want to build muscles as body requires large amounts of carbohydrates as muscle fuel.