Free Essay Example on South Beach Diet for Losing Weight

Description of South Beach Diet

South Beach Diet is a healthy weight loss diet published by Miami-based cardiologist Arthur Agatston. The author argues that the healthiest way to weight loss is learning to choose the right carbohydrates and the right fats (Lee, 2019). Since it emphasizes taking good carbohydrates, lean protein, and healthy fats, it is a nutrient-dense and fiber-rich diet suitable for a healthy eating lifestyle (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2019). The diet is divided into three phases. Phase 1 takes two weeks and is designed to help eliminate craving for foods with high sugar content and refined starch. During this phase, one cuts carbohydrates such as rice, bread, fruit, and pasta from the diet while focusing on taking lean protein, high-fiber vegetables, and health low-fat. Phase 2 is the long-term weight-loss period often characterized by adding foods that were prohibited in phase 1 in small portions (Doc's Opinion, 2019). An individual should stay in phase 2 until he attains the intended weight. Phase 3 is the maintenance stage and characterized by specific healthy eating lifestyle. Although one is allowed to eat all types of foods, the foods should be eaten in moderation, and follow principles of healthy eating outlined in phase 1 and phase 2 (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2019).

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Claims Made by the Diet

South Beach Diet claims that the key to faster weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle is not based on cutting carbohydrates and fats in one's diet (Lee 2019). This claim is sound on the basis that the human body requires carbohydrates and fats to provide energy, keep the body warm, regulate blood glucose, and support cell growth. Therefore, weight loss and healthy lifestyle should focus on choosing the right carbohydrates and fats. The diet also claims that by focusing on foods rich in fiber and nutrients, one can stop craving for food, focus on weight loss, and eliminate unwanted calories for life (Lee, 2019). This claim is sound since the most effective way for weight loss is to eat healthily, know food portion, and log all meals and snacks.

Is South Beach Diet Healthy?

Overall, the South Beach Diet is a healthy eating approach that emphasizes adapting a diet that can help shed pounds. However, its first phase is restrictive because one is not allowed to take bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, or fruit (Lee, 2019). Besides being a healthy Meditation-style way of eating, the diet recommends the clients to engage in regular exercise to realize long-term success. Moreover, the diet does not have any drug interactions associated with it since it is purely based on healthy eating habits and recommended regular exercise.

Appropriateness of the Diet

In general, the South Beach Diet would be most appropriate for persons who are overweight, obese, or purpose to lose weight for one reason or another. However, the diet would not be appropriate for all populations because of three reasons: Firstly, the diet can be costly because it requires one to buy foods in bulk, shop at farmer's markets, use coupons, and prepare simple meals to help cut on cost (Lee, 2019). Cost-cutting measures associated with South Beach Diet are not sustainable and culturally viable for all populations most of which eat from hand to mouth. Secondly, the diet offers support tools to its patients or clients through which they can track their weight, recipes, customize meal plan, out-door dining guide, and community support (Lee, 2019). These measures can only be applicable to a portion of a population, but not the entire population thereby making it inappropriate to all populations. Thirdly, for people to get South Beach Diet support, they are supposed to become members by paying membership fees that start at $29.98 per month per person (Lee, 2019). Traditionally people might not be willing to subscribe to become members of diet organizations unless they are compelled to do so because of health complications. Based on such background, the diet would not be popular among all population except specific groups with a mission to lose weight. Fourthly, the diet is designed specifically for those that would want to lose excess weight that they have gained. It is on such demand that the flexible diet has been designed to work with a specific population that includes persons with diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease (Lee, 2019).

References

Doc's Opinion. (2019). The South Beach Diet. Retrieved https://www.docsopinion.com/health-and-nutrition/diets/the-south-beach-diet/

Lee, W. (2019). The South Beach Diet. Retrieved https://www.webmd.com/diet/a-z/south-beach-diet-what-it-is

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). South Beach Diet. Retrieved https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/south-beach-diet/art-20048491