South Beach Diet Overview
Developed by Dr. Arthur Agatston, The South Beach Diet touts itself as teaching dieters to eat the right carbs and the right fats. The diet has three phases. In the first dieter’s banish their bad carb cravings and induce rapid weight loss. In the second phase, some types of carbs are reintroduced and weight loss is slower. The final phase is the "Diet for Life" phase. This is the maintenance diet and will be followed for the rest of the dieter’s life. If at any time the dieter begins to gain unwanted pounds, then he simply goes through the induction and pre-maintenance phases again.
The first phase emphasizes protein from high-quality meat sources with lots of fresh vegetables and salads with real olive oil dressing. Bread, rice, pastas, potatoes, baked goods, soy milk and cheese, yogurt, beets, carrots, corn and all fruit are forbidden in the 14-day induction phase. This includes all candy, cake, ice cream and sugar, plus meats that are cured in sugar or molasses.
The diet encourages three meals a day with a mid-morning and a mid-afternoon snack. There is also a daily meal plan. This plan includes strict portion control in the induction phase. An example of a daily snack is 20 peanuts. And 30 pistachios is another snack option.
Unlike Atkins, unlimited protein consumption is not advised or allowed on this diet. However, during the later phases of the diet some of the strict portion control does end and dieters are able to eat until satiated.
Some of the forbidden foods can be slowly reintroduced, sometimes in modified form in the second phase of the diet. The second phase lasts until the dieter’s goal weight is reached. However, white flour products, potatoes, corn, carrots, beets and sweet fruits like banana and pineapple are still forbidden.
After dieters reach their ideal weight, they proceed on to their Diet for Life or maintenance diet.
In this phase the forbidden foods are processed foods, white flour products, sweet fruits, and foods with a high glycemic index in general.
During the 14-day induction period, Dr. Agatston predicts a weight loss of between eight and 13 pounds, with belly fat being the first to go. In the second phase dieter should continue to lose 1-2 pounds each week as long as they do not go overboard with the carb reintroduction.
Article by Beverley Brooke, Editor of Health & Finesse Weekly.Visit healthandfinesse.com for more on the south beach diet
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The Benefits of Omega3 Fatty Acids – Losing Weight with Fat!
Essential Fats for Weight Loss
Over the past few decades, the cornerstone of a good, solid weight loss plan has included studying the ‘Nutrition Information’ on food packaging, thumbing nervously through a 600 page (yet implausibly titled ‘pocket sized’) calorie counter and triumphantly and guiltlessly striding down supermarket aisles with a trolley brimming with exquisitely packaged, molecule sized, fat free food.
To most people, avoiding fat (or consuming as little as possible) is the sure-fire path to a slim and slender body. However, for the eager and the open-minded, this is all about to change as study after study begins to tell us how fat is about to become your new best friend?
How Can Fat be Good?
It has long been common knowledge amongst athletes and nutritionists that Omega 3 and Omega 6 fats are extremely beneficial – yet these have been largely avoided by most of us because they are basically fat – the death knoll of the diet.
Of the many fats that exist, Omega 3 and Omega 6 have been scientifically termed Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). The reason for this is simple – they are essential. EFAs are essential because they are in constant demand from every living cell in the body – however, the body cannot produce them on its own. It relies on us to provide them through the food we consume each and every day!
Creating a balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 in our diet is absolutely essential, not only if weight loss is on the agenda but also to help our body function properly and ward off a whole host of ailments such as high blood pressure, a low immune system, dry skin, hair and nails, poor digestion and low energy. Omega 6 and Omega 6 supplementation was also voted by women as being among the top three most effective PMS treatments! The list could go on.
EFAs and Weight Loss
So, we shouldn’t avoid all fats like the plague if we want to be slim and healthy, but I am sure you are wondering why EFAs are important our weight loss plan?
Among other reasons, EFAs help to:
- Make us slim and keep us slim by behaving like the hormones that increase the body’s capacity to burn fat and decrease the fat that the body produces for protection (the fat that hangs around our organs and sits around our waists).
- Suppress the body’s requirement to over-inflate our appetite.
- Minimise the blood sugar swings, fat production, food cravings and loss of energy that carbs and sugars do.
- Decrease inflammation and water retention in tissues, and instigate the removal of water unnecessarily held in other parts of the body. This can have a dramatic effect on our ability to lose weight!
- Boost our energy levels throughout the day – which, amongst other things – increases your chances of going out for that run, making it to the gym or doing that extra lap of the pool!
- Increase the stimulation of the brain to create happier moods and lift depression – making us less likely to reach for the crisps and chocolates!
Good Fats and Bad Fats – What to Eat and What to Avoid!
Of course, EFAs include only good fats – the bad fats should still be avoided at all costs! These include the fats obtained from meat and dairy, saturated fats, trans-fatty acids and any cooked, fried or heated fats (EFAs lose their goodness and become harmful when heated).
Good fats can be found in foods like avocado, almonds, green leafy vegetables, high fat (coldwater) fish such as tuna, sardines, halibut and salmon and seeds such as sesame, sunflower and flax-seeds. However, the easiest and most effective way to ensure that your body is getting the right amount, and the right blend of good fats is to take an oil blend supplement.
In our experience at Energise for Life, using just one type of oil (cod-liver, flax, hemp etc) has not been anywhere near as effective as using an oil blend (such as Udo’s Choice).
As you can buy such supplements in both vegetarian capsules and as a liquid, there is no excuse not to give your body this fuel it needs to help you slim down and tone up!
Energise for Life aims to provide you with every resource you need to achieve optimal health and abundant energy. We aim to provide a one-stop-shop for all of your health and vitality needs within a 100% customer focused environment.
Why We’re Different – We bring you all of the nutrition and health information you need to make the most informed decisions about your diet and lifestyle – as well as all of the benefits you would associate with the ideal online shopping experience: exceptional choice, effortless ordering, speedy delivery and excellent customer service.
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