You’re supercharged – speed up your metabolism
The South Beach Diet has had a makeover, or rather a makeover. Cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agaston, creator of the South Beach Diet, has revised his program by adding a “supercharged fitness program” created by University of Miami physiologist Dr. Joseph Signorile. This fitness program is divided into three phases similar to the original diet phases to help you increase your fitness level.
The revised diet
Despite its strict Phase 1, the South Beach diet encourages a healthy and balanced diet. Provides phased recipes and meal plans and now includes increased activity through interval training. The new book also includes more vegetarian recipes and 40 new recipes in addition to the original book.
The diet itself has not changed much. The new book provides more food selections to choose from in Phases 1 and 2 and includes a new 2-week meal plan for both Phases as well. Readers are encouraged to eat three meals a day with small snacks with an emphasis on lean protein, low-starch vegetables, and low-fat dairy.
All three phases have also remained unchanged with the stricter 2-week Phase 1 limiting intake to low-glycemic foods, including low-starch vegetables, lean protein, and low-fat dairy. Phase 2 adds some portion-controlled whole grains, fruits, and sweets and alcohol. Phase 3 increases portions and teaches weight maintenance.
Supercharged promises
South Beach continues on its infamous promises. The first book promised the reader a weight loss of up to 13 pounds in the first 2 weeks and further promised that weight loss would focus on the abdomen region. Experts agree that we can’t target weight loss to a particular part of the body, so adding the promise of faster weight loss due to 20 minutes of interval training continues the list of unsubstantiated claims.
How does it work!
Forget all the claims of super fast targeted tummy weight loss and focus on the diet itself. Experts agree and argue that low glycemic diets are very good, however they do not advocate eliminating certain foods, namely carbohydrates from the diet. But South Beach Phase 2 is something to look at more closely. The focus on cutting out processed carbs and cutting down on sugar is winning weight loss advice. Most unhealthy eaters eat mostly processed foods, with very few fruits and vegetables. Eliminating processed carbohydrates in Phase 1 of this program can cause many people to shake their heads and say “so what can I eat!” Following the program through its phases can help many readers work towards a healthy and balanced diet while improving their physical condition.
