The South Beach Diet

How It Works

The diet is based on the observation that Americans are carb crazy. That’s the reason for the induction phase. Those first two weeks are meant to help people quit craving carbs. And it’s why carbs are minimized throughout the diet.

Highly processed carbs, according to the South Beach theory, get digested too quickly. That makes insulin levels (a hormone the body makes to process sugars) spike. And once those fast-burning carbs are used up, your high insulin level makes you crave more food. So what do you tend to eat? More carbs, of course.

By breaking this cycle, the South Beach diet promises to make you want to eat less food, but better food.

What the Experts Say

Cindy Moore, RD, a director of nutrition therapy at Cleveland Clinic and a former spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, discussed the South Beach diet with WebMD.

Moore says the diet truly does meet several of the criteria for a healthy diet. It’s rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein, she says. Most importantly, it doesn’t leave out any major food groups.

Moore warns that during the induction phase, much of the lost weight is water weight. Losing this much water can throw your electrolyte balance off. So if you’re following the diet, it’s a good idea to work closely with a registered dietitian or your doctor.

Despite the popularity of the South Beach diet, Moore warns, there’s no one-size-fits-all diet. A dietitian can help you individualize the South Beach diet to fit your health needs.

Food For Thought

Most popular diets work — at first — because of their novelty. Also, the first pounds lost usually are water from your tissues, not fat itself. Over time, your tissues will rehydrate. That’s no reason to get discouraged. If you’re eating less, eating better foods, and getting enough exercise, you will become leaner.

One big plus for the South Beach diet is that it doesn’t leave you in limbo. It recommends healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle long after you give up on ever getting back a loaned-out copy of the book.

The reason you diet may be to look better. There’s nothing wrong with that. But the reason to become healthy is to have a strong heart, strong lungs, and healthy bones. There’s nothing wrong with that, either.

Share this story: