1. Health

Find Your Diet: Is the South Beach Diet Right for You?

From , former About.com Guide

Updated January 13, 2011

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

This article series will help you compare various diet plans by describing the changes required by each. This installment looks at the extremely popular carb-reducing diet plan published in the book The South Beach Diet by Dr. Arthur Agatston.

The South Beach Diet may be the right diet for you if you ...

    Like some menu structure to be provided.

    Do not want to measure or weigh food.

    Want to be able to purchase required foods at the grocery store.

    Want to experience rapid weight loss in the first phase of the plan.

    Accept that your weight-loss rate will slow down signficantly after the first phase.

    Are willing to learn how to follow The South Beach Diet correctly during different phases.

    Are willing to complete Phase 1, which is very restrictive, and lasts at least two weeks.

    Are willing to eat certain foods at certain times, such as fruit at lunch or dinner, but not at breakfast.

    Are willing to eliminate specified foods such as bread, rice, pasta, potatoes and some vegetables from your diet. (The South Beach Diet provides lists of Foods to Allow and Foods to Avoid.)

    Are willing to permanently restrict other carbohydrate-based foods in your diet.

    Want a plan that provides long-term advice (Phase 3) to maintain your weight loss.

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.

We comply with the HONcode standard
for trustworthy health
information: verify here.