South Beach Diet Study
Introduction The South Beach Diet, which originated with Dr. Arthur Agatston, a cardiologist, began as a response to the growing rate of heart disease patients in the United States. He found that many of the fad diets were focused on high carbohydrates, which were not affecting the type of weight loss needed to reduce heart disease. The center, or heart of the diet, is focused on healthy lifestyle living, and maintenance around nutritional choices. The South Beach diet focuses on three phases: Phase one is the kickoff to weight-loss; eliminating all carbohydrates. Phase two focuses on the re-introduction to carbohydrates; making healthier carb choices. Phase three is about diet maintenance and making healthier lifestyle choices. With the brief overview explained, this paper will discuss the background of the diet, s sample of the diet and how it compares to the recommended daily allowances of proteins, vitamins and minerals, the ongoing maintenance of the diet, and finally whether this diet can be considered legitimate.
Background
The South Beach Diet was designed by Dr. Arthur Agatston to help people to lose weight and reduce cases of heart disease related to diet. The goal of this diet is to help control cravings for bad carbohydrates by eliminating them completely from a person’s diet and then slowly reintroducing them. There are three distinct phases that are completed during this diet with the third phase being an ongoing maintenance phase. In the first phase the dieter eliminates all carbohydrates. Nutrition comes from meat, chicken, fish, eggs, nuts and vegetables. The idea is to eat three balanced meals a day and also to eat enough to fill hunger needs. This phase lasts about 14 days and gives an expected weight loss of 8-13 pounds. In phase two, the dieter starts to re-introduce carbohydrates back into the diet one product at a time. The individual also introduces foods that will not give into hunger cravings between meals. The dieter should still be
Background
The South Beach Diet was designed by Dr. Arthur Agatston to help people to lose weight and reduce cases of heart disease related to diet. The goal of this diet is to help control cravings for bad carbohydrates by eliminating them completely from a person’s diet and then slowly reintroducing them. There are three distinct phases that are completed during this diet with the third phase being an ongoing maintenance phase. In the first phase the dieter eliminates all carbohydrates. Nutrition comes from meat, chicken, fish, eggs, nuts and vegetables. The idea is to eat three balanced meals a day and also to eat enough to fill hunger needs. This phase lasts about 14 days and gives an expected weight loss of 8-13 pounds. In phase two, the dieter starts to re-introduce carbohydrates back into the diet one product at a time. The individual also introduces foods that will not give into hunger cravings between meals. The dieter should still be
References: Agatston, A. (2003). The South Beach Diet. New York: Random House. Agatston, M.D., A. (2004), The South Beach Diet Cookbook. Pennsylvania: Rodale, Inc. Angderson, C. (Winter 2005, Vol. 4). Fad Diets: The Skinny behind the Scam. Retrieved May 12, 2007, from JPHAS: Journal for Pre-Health Affiliated Students Mercola, J., & Vaszily, B. (2007). Twelve Reasons to Avoid the South Beach Diet. Retrieved May 13, 2007, from www.mercola.com. Sorgen, C. (2006). Dieting: Does Fad Equal Bad? Retrieved May 12, 2007, from CBS News Web site: The South Beach Diet. (2006, June). Retrieved May 13, 2007, from WebMD website: http://www.webmd.com/content/article/92/102028.htm.