The South Beach Diet

The South Beach diet is quite different from most of the low-carbohydrate diets generally available today, such as the Atkins diet, or the Zone diet. The primary difference between the South Beach diet and the low-carbohydrates is the lack of stress on eating only food with low carbohydrates.

The South Beach diet allows you to eat healthy carbohydrates, and doesn't shut out carbohydrates en masse from your food. It even allows the consumption of fats, of course in measured doses. It is liberal enough to allow even a portion of your all-time favorite high-calories, oil-rich fast food, provided the overall balance in calories and food intake is maintained.

The South Beach diet is not a crash-course diet. It does not follow the general 'lose maximum weight in minimum time' routine. It takes its time, and does the job better. 'Slow and steady wins the race' is not just about the hare and the tortoise; it applies here as well. In this case, slow, steady, and measured, you might say.

The South Beach diet plan

Having said all this, we now come to the key question - so what exactly is the South Beach diet like? It is a diet plan that allows you to eat everything in measured doses. While stressing on the need to eat healthily, it doesn't stop you from sneaking in a not-so-healthy fast food snack once in a while.

Another key area stressed on is the amount of food intake. This diet is not about war-time rations, nor is it about over-eating. You are encouraged to eat moderate portions; not too much, but certainly not too less either.

The different food items allowed in the South Beach diet include fish and chicken, which are considered sources of lean proteins.

Besides these, other food items include olive oil and canola oil - both healthy oils with reduced fat content.

The diet also includes carbohydrates in regulated amounts, such as whole grain bread, fruits and pasta.

South Beach Diet Phases >>