The South Beach Diet

History
The South Beach diet was developed by Dr. Arthur Agatston, a cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Dr. Agaston never intended to create a weight-loss plan, but as a cardiologist, he had patients whose weight and health were not improving on the standard, low-fat diet recommended by the American Heart Association. To help these patients, he developed his own diet plan in the mid-1990s. His book detailing the plan, entitled The South Beach Diet, was published in 2003 and became an instant best seller.

How it works
The South Beach diet does not involve any counting, but rather smart-food choices. Through healthy eating, blood sugar is stabilized, and cravings are virtually eliminated. Exercise is recommended for a healthy, well-rounded lifestyle.

The diet plan consists of three phases:

Phase 1 - Eliminate Cravings and Kick-start Weight Loss

In this first phase, carbohydrates, such as pastas, rice, bread, and sugars, are completely eliminated, including naturally-occurring sugars like those in fruit.

You should focus on eating:

• Lean protein - seafood, skinless white-meat chicken poultry, and lean cuts of beef
• High-fiber vegetables
• Reduced-fat dairy products
• Unsaturated fats - extra-virgin olive and canola oils, avocados, nuts, and seeds.

This phase lasts two weeks, though you can follow these guidelines longer for faster weight loss.

Phase 2 - Lose Weight Steadily

You can eat everything from Phase 1 plus:

• Whole-grain carbohydrates
• Fruits
• Nutrient-dense root vegetables (such as sweet potatoes)

This phase provides more gradual, long-term weight loss. It is ideal for people who want to lose 10 pounds or less, who don't have excess belly fat, or who don't need help controlling cravings. These guidelines should be followed until you have reached your goal weight.

Phase 3 - Maintain for Life

Food guidelines are similar to Phase 2, but allow for more frequent indulgences.

This phase begins once you have reached your goal weight, and continues for life to maintain that weight and overall good health.

Popularity
The diet has a lot of followers among celebrities, as well as in the general population. People who have praised the weight-loss plan include Bill and Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Kim Cattrall, Jessica Simpson, Bette Midler, and Nicole Kidman.

Additional Resources:
The Official South Beach Diet Website