South Beech Diet and Belly Fat

Southbeech tip: Belly Fat Accumulation Reversed by Exercise

Southbeech diet is low in trans fats by its nature, but you still must bo on the look out, or they will creep in to your diet. Trans fats cause storage of belly fat even when you are on a calorie
restricted diet. The good news is that exercise will get rid of the belly fat. "What are trans fats", you say. Trans fat is the name for a type of unsaturated fat. You have read about fats called
monounsaturated or polyunsaturated. Well these are trans fats.

Most trans fats consumed in the American diet are created by partially hydrogenating oils, usually plant oils, but animal fat was used in decades past. The first commercialized trans fatty oils was Crisco in 1911. So why partial hydrogenation? Hydrogen atoms are added to unsaturated fats, making them more saturated. These more saturated fats stay in a semisolid form making it easier for baking, and making the products they are in last longer before spoiling. Another particular class of trans
fats, vaccenic acid occurs in trace amounts in meat and dairy products which are prevalent in the South Beach Diet.

Even on the Southbeech Diet, Trans fats cause you to gain fat in problem areas

Even though you do not overeat, trans fats will cause you to gain fat in problem areas. Even on the Southbeach program, you will consume some trans fats. If you eat a high level of trans fats, you will impair insulin, signaling deposition of body fat. Research refers to this phenomena as insulin stimulated fat compartmentalization. Even on the South Beach plan, this must be watched for. but there is something you can, no, n=must do: exercise.

Cal State University at Northridge just released a study that says that periodic exercise reverses the insulin signaling impairment, and stops or reverses fat storage in problem areas.

The challenge of overcoming problem fat areas, as revealed by the study, showed impaired insulin signaling will create a situation where you always tend to store energy as fat in those problem areas.

The study indicates impaired insulin signaling in local areas can be reversed. So, if you have problem areas of fat, like the thighs and belly, you can’t seem to lose it even though you are sticking to the southbeech diet, you will need to begin an exercise program to have any chance of losing those areas. The South Beach Diet alone is insufficient.

The bottom line for South Beech dieters is to lose fat in problem areas, cut simple sugars, trans fats and ad a daily exercise program.

 

Related resources

Pear Salad Recipe

2 red pears
2 green pears
2 seckel pears (the very small, very sweet ones)
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds, toasted, salted, without shells)
1/2 cup sugar-free orange marmalade
3 Tbsp raisins
Core, but do not peel the pears. Slice pears lengthwise and place in large bowl. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over pears and gently toss to coat. (This will prevent pears from browning.) Add Pepitas and raisins. Measure Sugar-Free Orange Marmalade into a microwaveable bowl and heat on high about 20 seconds. Remove and stir. Repeat if necessary until marmalade has completely melted and become liquid. Drizzle marmalade over fruit and Pepitas. Toss gently to coat.

Serves 6