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The skinny on the South Beach Diet

Posted on Dec 13th 2006 8:16PM by Martha Edwards

Filed Under: Diet & Weight Loss

Chances are you've heard of the South Beach Diet. Maybe you've even tried it, considered trying it or know of someone who's tried it. But if you're wondering just what the heck I am talking about, or want to know more about this popular diet, read on.

Developed by Dr. Arthur Agatston,The South Beach diet has been adopted by many people looking to lose weight effectively. It's like a healthier version of the Atkins Diet, because it eliminates the really fatty foods and promotes healthy carbs, though only in the later phases of the programs.

The diet has three phases; In Phase I, dieters are asked to eliminate most carbs from their diet, including sugar, bread, fruit, alcohol and others. This last for 2 weeks, and usually leads to a fair amount of weight loss, generally around 8 to 12 pounds. In Phase II, good carbs, including fruit and whole grains, are slowly introduced back in to the diet. Phase III is a lifestyle maintenance plan, where the diet includes healthy servings of good carbs, leans meats, veggies and so on.

Because of the popularity of the diet, many companies, including Kraft, produce South Beach-friendly items, which can be a dieter's best friend when consumed in moderation.

Have you tried it? If so, is life better on the beach? If not, could you stick to it?

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Tags: Agatston, diet plans, DietPlans, eating plan, EatingPlan, south beach, SouthBeach, weight loss, WeightLoss

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Sally 12-13-2006 @ 10:32PM

I went on the South Beach diet about a year ago. And it changed my life! At 5'1, I weighed almost 160 lbs. It wasn't that I ate a lot, it was that I had bad eating habits. I went on the diet and in about 6 months, I was down to 130. I fluctuate between the phases, compensating for days that I cheat, and it helps keep off the weight. Today, I am now 125 lbs. I love it!

pat 12-14-2006 @ 8:58AM

I went on the South Beach Diet last January 1. By March 1, I had lost 15 lbs, but since May, I have gained 30! Back to Weight Watchers. I think problem with Beach is it let's you eat fat, and when I wasn't watching as closely, weight came back and more

Beanie 12-15-2006 @ 9:39AM

I went on it a few years ago, and did lose about 10 lbs in the first Phase. However, by the end of week 2 I was nearly psychotic about the lack of bread and potatoes. My mood was so awful that I had to go off the diet. It was best for my household.

Sheryl 12-19-2006 @ 9:50AM

I lost 20lbs easily on the South Beach Diet! It was the best ever diet, I could eat really great tasting food that was good for me and I loved it! That was almost 5 years ago and I haven't gained even one pound back, I look and feel so much better today and I don't even need to follow it strictly anymore.

Jackie 12-19-2006 @ 2:49PM

I sent on South Beach about a month before Thanksgiving and lost about 15 lbs. However, it is Christmas, so while trying not to pig out, I am eating some things I shouldn't. That way, I don't feel so deprived. I am still weighing every day or two and while not losing, at least I am not gaining. After the holidays, I will drop back down to Phase 1 to get losing again.