The Three Phases of The Southbeach Diet

Southbeach diet phase 1: "Two Weeks of Restraint". This is known as the "strict" phase of the diet. This may lead to the wrong idea though. The southbeach diet states that you should never be left hungry and actually includes six different times you can eat throughout the day. Whilst on the southbeach diet, you should eat normal size portions that satisfy your real hunger, but no more. However the food you do eat should be limited to "good fats" and foods with the lowest Glycemic Index needed for blood sugar control.

"For the next 14 days you won't be having any bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, or baked goods. No fruit, even. Before you panic: You'll begin adding those things back into your diet again in 2 weeks. But for right now, they're off-limits." - Dr Agatston.

This phase should only last for 2 weeks.

Southbeach diet phase 2: "More Liberal Meal Plans". This is where the healthy carbohydrates are slowly introduced, such as whole grain bread and fruit. The glycemic index should be used to pick foods that are low in carbohydrates in terms of how they effect your blood sugar levels (low glycemic index foods). Compared to the southbeach phase 1, you will find that your rate of weight loss will slow down a little as the aim is to continue losing weight whilst increasing your carbohydrate intake. This should not tempt you to simply stay on phase one. Remember, the aim of the southbeach diet is to focus on your health as well as your figure! However, if you do find you've put on some more weight whilst on phase 2 then it's fine to return to phase 1 for a short period of time to lose the extra weight.

This phase of the southbeach diet depends on your ability to monitor your weight and how you react to certain carbohydrate containing foods. In the southbeach book, it points out that no two dieters will react the same way.

Southbeach diet phase 3: "The Rest of Your Life". This phase deals, as the title indicates, with the rest of your life. The southbeach diet phases or stages provide a plan that you can easily stick to in order to maintain a healthy weight. By this stage your cravings for bad foods will normally be minimal as you will have already settled into a eating plan that you're happy with. Again, as in the southbeach phase 2, if you find you're putting on weight, you can revert back to previous phases until you're back to your ideal weight. You can then return to Southbeach phase three again.