south beach diet
The basis of the south beach diet is that you are allowed to eat healthy sized portions as long as you stay away from sugars and refined foods carbs. Over time you begin to control your blood sugar levels, and as a result you find you eat less than you used to because you are not as hungry.
Phase one entails two weeks of a strict dieting and is the initial weight loss period. As with the Atkins diet nearly all carbohydrates are avoided but you still eat normal sized meals and many people report losing between 8 - 13 lbs.
Phase two is when the good carbs are introduced back into your diet, you continue to lose weight until you reach your target weight.
Phase three is the life long period, maintaining your desired weight with a healthy balanced diet. If you start to gain weight again, you return to phase one, for a few days.
As with many diets it is recommended to drink plenty of water a day and with this south beach diet it is also recommended to take a daily calcium supplement.