South Beach Diet

You've heard about the South Beach Diet and you are wondering if it is right for you. Obviously not every diet is for every person. Let's take a closer look at the South Beach Diet and see if it a good match for you.

The South Beach Diet is good for those not only looking to lose weight but to make a lifestyle change. The success rate with the South Beach Diet, as with all diets, improves if a fitness program is included. Good eating habits and exercise, sound familiar?

The South Beach Diet progresses through 3 phases. The first phase lasts two weeks and is the most difficult. For most people the first phase of the South Beach Diet involves drastic lifestyle changes. First NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED; NO FRUIT ALLOWED. You will be eating primarily chicken breast, some vegetables, and low fat or no-fat dairy products. Nuts, some beef and turkey are also allowed. Very small amounts of caffeine are also allowed. In phase two you begin to add the "forbidden foods" back in to your diet, paying close attention to how your body reacts. Phase two lasts as long as it takes to reach your goal weight. Phase three begins when you reach your goal weight and lasts presumably for the rest of your life. In phase three of the South Beach Diet you make "good food choices" based on what you learned about your body in phase two.

POSITIVE ASPECTS OF THE SOUTH BEACH DIET

• No calorie counting
• Encourages awareness of self
• Encourages lifestyle changes

NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF THE SOUTH BEACH DIET

Difficult first phase
• Open ended - once you begin adding "forbidden foods" back into your diet, it seems you are "on your own"

Is the South Beach Diet right for you? Are you self-disciplined, in tune with your body, and ready for a lifestyle change? You decide.