The South Beach Diet - Celebrity fad or great weight loss diet?Get the low-down here!

Find out all your need to know about the South Beach Diet and whether it's the right one for you with Funky Female's South Beach Diet Review

What's the science behind the Southbeach diet?

The south beach diet works on a similar premise to that of the GI diet by looking to avoid foods with a high glycaemic index which can cause a quick rise and then fall in blood sugar levels – meaning little energy is provided and hunger returns quickly. The focus in the southbeach diet is, therefore, on the right carbs and those low in GI value and in the first 2 weeks of the diet, carbs are severely restricted too.

The southbeach diet also looks towards eating the right fats – so recommending that foods rich in saturated fat are swapped for those with monounsatuates fats within them such as olive oil.

So how can I follow a southbeach diet plan?

The south beach diet has 3 distinct phases. The first phase lasts for 2 weeks and restricts the intake of carbohydrates, banning foods such as potatoes, rice, bread, pasta, fruits, cake and alcohol. Instead followers consume unlimited portions of lean meat, chicken and fish as well as limited serving of diary per day.

The south beach diet phase 2 looks to reintroduce some carbs back into the diet but only those with a low GI index - foods such as fruit, carrots, wholegrain cereals and granary bread are now allowed. This phase then lasts until you hot your target weight.

The final phase in the southbeach diet allows further introduction of foods and it aims to keep your weight balanced by being your eating plan for life.

What are the potential issues with the diet?

Despite the southbeach diet claiming weight losses of 8-13 lbs in the first phase of the diet, this stage with its severe restriction on carbs is probably the most difficult and can leave you feeling tired and weak.

Also by restricting all carbs, followers will restrict their intake of important nutrients such as fibre, calcium, iron and zinc. In addition, the diet also restricts fruit and some vegetables, meaning you might not be able to get your 5 a day and miss out on certain nutrients.

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