The South Beach Diet Plan

Choosing foods that melt belly fat naturally

The South Beach Diet plan falls into two categories.

It’s mainly known as a low carb diet plan however it’s also a low glycemic index diet plan.

It's main focus is on the 'type' of carbs you eat to achieve an optimal weight loss metabolism.

In a nutshell, it’s about understanding the difference and choosing between ‘Good Carbs’ or low gi foods versus the ‘Bad Carbs’ or high gi foods.

It's also about understanding the difference and choosing ‘Good Fats’ versus the ‘Bad Fats’.

That seems like a mouthful I know, but that’s IT in a nutshell!

The South Beach Diet Plan - An Overview

The glycemic index list is an important component of this low carb diet plan.

The Glycemic Index is a measure of the amount of blood sugar created and insulin released in response to eating carbohydrates.

According to the diet plan inventor, Dr. Agatston, a Florida cardiologist, carbohydrates metabolize at different rates and slowing the absorption of sugars is one way to control insulin levels, which have been shown to play a role in storing excess calories as fat.

Emphasis on choosing low glycemic index foods and heart healthy fats is encouraged throughout the diet plan.

The concept that more calories used than consumed leads to weight loss still holds true, but the diet plan emphasizes how those calories are used.

There are 3 phases and your weight loss diet menu changes in each phase as you progress.

Phase 1 of The South Beach Diet Plan is 2 weeks long.

The primary focus is on shifting from high fat, bad carbs to low fat, good carbs.

High fat meats are discouraged as are refined sugar throughout the plan.

High gi foods like white bread and potatoes are replaced with high fiber, low gi foods like beans. In fact, fiber is encouraged to slow the digestion of carbs as is eating foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids.

The purpose of Phase 1 is to flip the body’s internal ‘switch’ that causes us to store fat.

There is no emphasis on counting calories or reducing portion sizes.

Phase 2 relaxes the rules somewhat.

Formerly forbidden foods like pasta and bread are reintroduced in moderate quantities and a wider range of food choices are allowed.

Phase 2 has no time limit. It lasts as long as is needed to reach your weight loss goal.

Phase 3 is the maintenance phase.

Phase 3 represents a lifelong commitment to a change in eating habits that will help you retain that hard won weight loss goal.

The emphasis remains on choosing low glycemic index foods - ‘good’ carbs over ‘bad’ carbs and healthy ‘good’ fats over ‘bad’ fats.

Always check with a qualified health care practitioner or your doctor before you begin any new diet plan.

Low Glycemic Index Diets

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You On A Diet Plan

Hypnotism for Weight Loss

Return to Popular Diet Plans


Return to Belly Fat Blues Home from The South Beach Diet Plan


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