The South Beach Diet does not cut out the consumption of carbohydrates as drastically as Dr. Atkins. As a matter of fact, from the beginning of the third week, people on The South Beach Diet can start eating most fruits. Fruit is high in carbohydrates but they are considered good carbs.
The South Beach Diet is not a low carb diet per se. It actually encourages eating what it considers to be the good carbs. The book explains what the good carbs are. The diet is divided into three phases. Phase one is a two week period in which the dieter’s intake of carbohydrates is almost nil. In the second phase the good carbs are re-introduced slowly. These are most of the fruits and whole grains. The third phase is a life long maintenance phase which is how one should eat always. In that sense it is a diet in the right sense of the word. It is not about deprivation and feeling deprived which could lead to yo-yo dieting. In The South Beach Diet, as is the case with other lower carb diets, certain foods are not recommended ever such as refined sugar, white bread, refined white rice, and pasta made with refined flour.
The South Beach Diet focuses on selecting “good carbs” and “good fats”. “Good carb” meaning lower carbs that are lower on the glycemic index. “Good fats” meaning monounsaturated fats.
The South Beach Diet has 3 phases. Phase 1, 2, and 3.
Phase 1 – smallest portions, lower carbs
Phase 2 – slightly bigger portions, more carbs
Phase 3 – Maintenance Phase – One would stay on this for life. Adjust portions that allow you to maintain weight.
The South Beach Diet certainly is close to a diet that I really like. Like most diets, it emphasizes portion control. Also, it’s promotion of good quality carbohydrates and good monounsaturated fats is very healthy. The only thing I’m not crazy about is the fact that the meals are not quite balanced in their proportions of carbohydrates, protein and fats. In particular, phase 3 is a little too high in carbohydrates for my liking.