What is the South Beach Diet & Does It Work?

south beach diet

There are so many diet options out there, it can be hard and confusing to find the one that will work best for your lifestyle. You might not even remember the name of a certain diet you’ve heard of but know you want to try it. Like, which fad diet was developed by celebrity doctor Arthur Agatston? The name of it is on the tip of your tongue, it’s the South Beach Diet!

What is South Beach?

Which fad diet was developed by celebrity doctor Arthur Agatston? It’s called the South Beach Diet, and it’s a fairly easy plan to follow. Some people refer to South Beach as a modified low-carb diet, meaning it does focus on foods that are lower in carbs and higher in protein, but it’s not strictly low-carb, and you don’t have to count carbohydrates.

How Does It Work?

The South Beach Diet focuses on a balance of good carbs, lean protein, and healthy fats. Many find success with the plan because it’s easy to follow and is all about changing your eating habits, so you can stick with it for life. The key is to remove “bad” carbs from your diet, or foods that have a high glycemic index, and skyrocket your blood sugar quickly, and for longer periods of time. Examples of these “bad” carbs include anything made with refined sugar, such as:

  • Sugar Sweetened Drinks (Soda and Fruit Juices)
  • White Bread
  • Cookies, Pastries, and Cakes
  • French Fries and Potato Chips
  • Candy and Chocolate
  • Ice Cream

In addition to changing the types of carbs you eat, South Beach also focuses on limiting “bad” fats and increasing the amount of healthy monounsaturated fats you eat. You are also encouraged to eat plenty of fiber through whole grains, vegetables, and even fruit!

Phases of South Beach

The South Beach diet works in phases, with the first phase being the most restrictive in terms of sugar and carbohydrates (even the “good” ones) to reduce cravings and stabilize your appetite. 

Phase 1: Day 0-14

Most people can expect to lose between 8-13 pounds during this first phase. You’ll eat three meals a day, plus two snacks, that include lean protein, non-starchy veggies, low-fat dairy, and some healthy fats. It’s also important to note that you may not drink alcohol during this phase. 

Phase 2: Day 15+

Once phase 1 is complete, you can begin to add limited portions of certain foods back into your diet, such as fruit, whole grains, and some alcohol. You will remain in this phase until you reach your goal weight and can expect to lose 1-2 pounds per week. All the foods from phase 1 are allowed in phase 2. 

Phase 3

When you’ve achieved your goal weight, you’ll enter Phase 3, which is the maintenance phase. You’ll still be eating the way you did in Phase 2, but occasional treats are allowed, and no foods are completely off limits. The good news is that if you slip back into your old habits and start putting on weight again, you simply go back to Phase 1 again for two weeks. 

Supplements for the South Beach Diet

Supplements are a crucial part of any elimination diet. Here are some things you need to grab before you start to help you achieve healthy success with your diet!

  • Multivitamin – A high quality multivitamin is important on any diet. Take one daily!
  • NatureThin by AlternaScript – A key blend of over 200 botanicals to optimize healthy weight management. 
  • Probiotics – Make sure you are protecting your gut while you diet. A high quality probiotic will help keep you regular, and reintroduce good bacteria into your gut to reduce bloat and encourage weight loss. 
  • Carb Intercept by Natrol – Helps your body metabolize the carbs you do take in during Phase 1 and 2, and transform them into energy fuel. 

So remember, the next time someone asks you, ‘Which fad diet was developed by celebrity doctor Arthur Agatston?’ You can tell them, it’s the South Beach Diet, and it works!

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