Southbeach Diet
The South beach diet is very similar to the Atkins diet in that it is a low carbohydrate diet. Dr. Arthur Agatston originally designed this diet with some of his heart patients in mind. These patients had something called “insulin resistance syndrome,” also known as “metabolic syndrome.”
People with insulin resistance have a combination of symptoms including high blood pressure, signs of obesity (especially fat carried specifically in the belly area), elevated blood glucose, high triglycerides, and low HDL. These people do not respond as well to the traditional low fat diets that contain quite a few carbohydrates. Therefore, the South Beach Diet was offered as an alternative.
Since then, it has also become a popular diet alternative for those who want to lose weight in general, even if you want to look good in a bikini.
Southbeach Diet by Arthur Agatston, "good" carbs vs. "bad"
The Southbeach diet was started by Miami cardiologist Arthur Agatston, This diet emphasizes the consumption of "good carbs" vs. "bad carbs" and "good fats" instead of "bad fats". "What?", you say. The Southbeach Diet was developed cardiac patients under his care. Southbeach is based upon research of scientific dieting research. The diet is explained in great deal by a book by the same name.
Dr. Agatston believes that excess consumption of so-called "bad carbohydrates". Bad carbohydrates are ones that cause a quick high rise in blood sugar levels. Good carbohydrates are the ones found in natural or unrefined foods, the ones usually found around the perimeter of you grocery store. They do not usually cause a great increase in blood sugar levels.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, bad carbohydrates are usually created by refining grains or other plants into "pure" starches or sugars (i.e., flour, white rice, cornmeal, table sugar and all other extracted sugars.) Science has shown that processed carbohydrates pass immediately from the digestive track and cause a high rise in blood sugar.
Rapidly absorbed carbs in foods with a high glycemic index, create insulin resistance. This impairs the hormone insulin's ability to properly process fat or sugar. Dr. Agatston's Southbeach Diet also addresses excess consumption of "bad fats", such as saturated fat and trans fat. "Bad fats" contribute to an increase in cardiovascular disease.
Southbeach in a nutshell:
- eat the nut fresh from the shell
- no processed foods: fresh is the word
Agatston's Southbeach diet minimizes consumption of "bad fats", "bad carbs" and encourages increased eating good fats, like olive oil, and good carbs, like unprocessed vegetables. All three phases of the diet, Southbeach recommends minimizing consumption of bad fats. Minimize fast convenient meals and snacks.
Southbeach Recipe of the Day
Cherry Snapper Ceviche - South Beach Diet Recipe (Phase 1)- 4 Cherry snapper (Tilapia) fillets, medium dice
- 3 fresh limes, juice of
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili garlic paste
- 2 ripe Roma tomatoes, medium dice
- 1/2 yellow Spanish onion, medium dice
- 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh cilantro finely chopped
- kosher salt
- black pepper