Beyond the South Beach Diet - How to Cook Low-carb Long Term

The South Beach Diet is one of the most popular diets in decades. All over the world, people are taking off weight by stripping carbs and, in the process, learning to eat healthier meals. One of the true beauties of South Beach is that it teaches you a whole new way of eating for a healthier, happier lifestyle. Eating healthy the South Beach way requires an adjustment in your cooking styles, too, though. Once you learn to cook low-carb, you'll find it easier to maintain your new weight and your new healthier lifestyle. Here are some tips to help you put it all together.

1. Invest in a good cookbook.

The third phase of the South Beach diet is a lifetime maintenance plan that lets you eat a wide variety of healthy foods. If your recipe repertoire was based on high-fat meals with creamy sauces and processed foods, you'll need to build up a stock of new recipes. The South Beach Diet book is a good start. It contains a lot of easy to cook recipes that will get you started on building a new repertoire of healthy meals. You'll also find dozens of South Beach cookbooks on the market that will give you some ideas on the best ways to put your new-found food savvy to use.

2. Think fresh!

Processed foods are the very antithesis of healthy low-carb eating. Even processed meats are packed with fillers that add in carbs and calories without offering anything in the way of nutrition. Try to shop the outside aisles of the supermarket - fresh fruits and veggies, meats and dairy - and avoid all the filler meals in between.

3. Learn simple cooking methods.

Learning to cook the South Beach way is surprisingly simple - a lot simpler than the techniques you probably use for cooking now. Steaming, poaching, braising, roasting and grilling involve very little prep time. If a recipe calls for dredging in flour or dusting with breadcrumbs, throw it out. You'll learn a whole new appreciation for real, whole foods when you cook them simply.

4. Color your plate pretty.

A healthy plate is full of vibrant, brilliant colors. When you prepare a plate for yourself, think in color. Deep green, dark orange and bright red vegetables are low in healthy carbohydrates, minerals and vegetables. White potatoes, rice and breads are not. Your best bet is to eat your veggies when they're at their peak of color - before overcooking robs them of their minerals and vitamins.

5. Spice it up!

Spices are a great way to brighten up flavors in your foods. There's a whole world of spices at your fingertips, and learning to use them can really wake up your plate and your palate. Learning about the spices used in various regional cuisines can help you turn a meal from bland to POW with just a few shakes of the spice bottle. Some spices and spice combinations to try are:

• Curry isn't just for Indian food anymore. A sprinkle of curry (use a light hand!) can really wake up the flavor in a fresh fruit salad, especially when you add a dab of vanilla.
  
  
• Cinnamon is an unusual and delicious spice addition to chicken dishes.
  
  
• Lemon grass oil adds a tart edge to salads and vegetables. Just a dash added to the olive oil when you sauté chicken also brightens the flavor and really wakes up your taste buds.
  
  
• Rosemary gives everything an earthy, sharp flavor that is the perfect foil for poultry and pork.

6. Add a little garnish to your life.
Garnishes are more than just pretty things on your plate. Fresh herbs, slices of fruit and strips of raw vegetable are more than a treat for your eyes. They add a healthy balance to your diet as well. Choose edible garnishes - a slice of lemon can be squeezed over fish or chicken to brighten flavors, for instance.

The most important things to remember about cooking low-carb for the long term are these:

• Skip the white foods. They're almost always processed
  
  
• Cook simply. Cooking low carb is usually quick, easy and uncomplicated.
  
  
• Use olive oil for dressings and sautéing.
  
  
• Get colorful. The more color there is on your plate, the healthier your meal will be.

About the Author:
Stephanie Larkin is a freelance writer who writes about topics involving health and healthy living similar to what consumers read in Cooking Light Magazine
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Reach Your Bikini Goal With The South Beach Diet

Everyone wants to look great for the summer. One way to be able to reach your ideal weight that will help you look good in a bikini is to use the South Beach Diet.

In order for the South-Beach Diet to work for you it needs to be followed exactly how it was designed. Furthermore, each individual South Beach-Diet that you follow needs to be tailored to your specific body. This will help you lose weight safely in a way that was meant for you.

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 a condition called the insulin resistance syndrome, most commonly known as the metabolic syndrome.

People with insulin resistance syndrome are people who have a combination of symptoms including high blood pressure, signs of obesity (especially in the belly), 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 became the alternative. Since then it also have become a popular diet alternative for those of the general public wanting to lose weight, even if the reason is to look good in a bikini.

The South Beach-Diet is divided into four phases. These four phases are as follows:

Phase One: This phase excludes most carbohydrates including all fruit, most dairy products, and most sources of saturated fat. What you can eat during this phase of the South Beach diet include lean meats, eggs and egg whites, seafood, soy foods, fat free and low fat dairy products, one serving of beans, and low starch vegetables (carrots, broccoli, lettuce greens, leeks, cauliflower, etc.).

The starchier vegetables such as potatoes, corn, and peas should be avoided during this initial diet phase. This is the most rapid stage of weight loss and lasts approximately two weeks.

Phase Two: This is the stage that the dieter continues until he or she reaches desired weight loss. During this phase of the South-Beach Diet the dieter will start to add one carb a week that was disallowed during the first two weeks of the diet. Usually dieters will start with a low glycemic fruit such as berries or grapefruit during this phase, and then continue to add more and more carbs.

This also is the phase in which the dieter tests the waters and finds foods that are a fit. If there is no negative reaction to the foods tried during this phase the dieter continues to add more and more carbs. This phase lasts until the dieter reaches the desired weight goal.

Phase Three: This is the maintenance stage of the diet. This stage is very similar to Phase Two of the South Beach-Diet. The big difference between this stage and the stage two is that in this stage, carbs are allowed to be eaten more often. Otherwise, this stage is a continuation of the previous stage, which is to just eat the foods that the dieter has defined as right for them in the previous stage.

This stage of the diet lasts for the dieters lifetime and contains mostly lean proteins, fruits, whole grains, and sources of mono and polyunsaturated fats such as avocado, nuts, and olives.

There is no cut and dry way to succeed at the South Beach Diet. However, those who are determined to make it work for them can find this diet to be a great alternative. Therefore, if you are a person who has a desire to lose weight in order to fit into that bikini you have always wanted to wear you can learn the South-Beach-Diet plan and make it work for you.

If you want more information regarding the South-Beach-Diet you can read other articles such as this one or contact your doctor or dietician for more information. You can also refer to the South Beach Diet book, as well. You can also read more articles such as this or contact a health care professional for more information about nutrition and dieting.

One more thing you always need to remember when dieting: aerobic exercise will help you reach your weight goal faster if it is done along with proper dieting. This is the case more than just dieting alone, no matter what type of diet you are on.

About the Author:
For several years now, Jason has been reviewing hundreds of online products and services. Many consider his reviews to be very insightful and reliable. Visit his website dietandweightlossinfo.com

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Celebrity Diet Secrets - Is the South Beach Diet One of Them?

The South Beach Diet is well known for being followed by many celebrities and is frequently linked to other low-carb diets, most of which have received considerable bad press.

It is important whilst following the South Beach Diet that you follow the basic rules of the program to ensure that you lose weight and maintain good health. Most importantly, if you want to achieve success, you must make sure you consume the right types and amounts of carbohydrates and fats.

Celebrity Diets that work like The South Beach diet have been shown to lower cholesterol levels and some claims have even been made that the diet can also reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

One of the side effects of dieting is often the development of food cravings. However, followers have said that eating this way eliminates food cravings because you don't feel hungry while on the South Beach Diet.

Losing weight whilst adhering to any weight loss program takes quite a bit of motivation and determination and the South Beach Diet is no different. Make sure you commence the diet with a positive mental attitude and you will get you off to a good start.

As well as losing weight, learning to eat healthily on the South Beach Diet plan and discovering which are the good carbs and fats, will help you to care for your heart too.

The Diet Plan is not a low-fat, low carb diet like so many of the other high profile diet fads and whilst on the South Beach Diet you will discover that not all carbohydrates and fats are bad for you.

Learning how to eat the right sort of carbohydrates and fats is key to making this program work for you. Eating the right proportion of "good" carbohydrates and fats will take some getting used to but will quickly become second nature.

Weight loss is often rapid in the first two weeks of following the South Beach Diet program and you can expect weight loss of up to 13lbs. However, things soon start to slow down and you must remember this is entirely normal and not start to worry that you are doing it wrong.

Realistically, it is possible to achieve long-term weight loss as opposed to just losing weight in the short term when you stick with this special eating plan.

Celebrity Diet Secrets like the South Beach Diet, when correctly followed, is highly effective at ridding your body of excess weight whilst also keeping you healthy and improving your well-being.

Although it is similar to the Atkins diet in that it works in stages, the South Beach Diet program could really be said to be a lifestyle rather than an actual diet. By following the plan, you will eat three meals and two additional each day, taken from the flexible meal planner that comes with the program.

To help you achieve your weight loss goal whilst on the diet program you should first write down how much weight you would like to lose. The written goal should then be placed somewhere highly visible so that it can act as a constant reminder of why you are on the diet.

To avoid temptation, rid your home of any forbidden foods before starting the South Beach Diet to help you stick to the plan.

Drinking lots of water serves two purposes whilst on most diets. Firstly, it will help you to feel fuller and secondly, it will help to flush any toxins in your body that may be released as a result of following the diet plan.



It is important, regardless of whether you are following a diet program, that you make the time to fit exercise into your schedule. Regular exercise, as well as improving your fitness levels, will help to speed up your weight loss.

It's hard to stay motivated all the time and you may occasionally slip up when on the diet. If this happens, don't be tempted to give up. The South Beach Diet works so simply pick up where you left off and you'll soon start to see the weight dropping off once more.

Some celebrities on the South Beach Diet program include people like Bill and Hillary Clinton and Bette Midler.

About the Author:
Celebrity Weight Loss Diets - like to know what the secrets are and just how all the stars keep those sculptured bodies with such consummate ease? Well look no further because we have got everything you could ever want about the top celebrity diets

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Recipe Ideas for the South Beach Diet

One of the hardest things for dieters to deal with is the feeling that they are being deprived of the foods they love. Healthy, nutritious foods tend to be thought of as boring and lacking in flavor. On the South Beach Diet, you will learn that this myth couldn't be further from the truth.

The South Beach Diet is wildly popular, and that is largely due to the wide variety of recipes that come with the South Beach Diet. Cooking your South Beach Diet recipes is almost as satisfying as eating them because your choices are nearly endless.

The South Beach Diet doesn't feel as restrictive as other diets and it is easier to stick with, because all the South Beach Diet requires you to do is make smart food choices. The South Beach Diet recipes incorporate differing food prep techniques with a variety of delicious ingredients so you will never be bored with your South Beach Diet meals.

Seafood is a staple on the South Beach Diet. This is a wonderful treat for those of you who are already seafood lovers. If not, the superb South Beach Diet recipes will make a seafood lover out of you. Simple recipes like Gulf Shrimp or Rosemary Grilled Salmon will have your mouth watering for your delicious South Beach Diet dinner.

You may face a bit of anxiety when you see grains go completely missing from your plate, but you have to remember that grains come back with a bang after Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet has detoxified your system. In any case, you can always fulfill your cravings by eggs, salads and roasted vegetables.

Many South Beach Diet recipes use vegetables - both raw and cooked. Add flavor and nutrition to your veggie dishes by tossing them with some olive oil. By introducing olive oil to your traditional vegetable servings, you are improving your health while boosting the flavor of your foods.

When it comes to soup options available in the South Beach Diet, there are plenty to choose from. Here are some highly recommended soups: (i) egg drop soup (made using eggs or egg whites) and (ii) tomato bisque, a thick and filling soup that can even be substituted for a light lunch or works well as a side dish to a meaty menu!

The South Beach Diet has so many different recipes, you will never feel like you are sacrificing taste on your weight loss journey. When you make the decision to start your South Beach Diet, check out all of the delicious foods available to you. Once you start mixing and matching the delicious South Beach Diet recipes, you will forget you are even on a diet and really start enjoying your food!


About the Author:
Visit weight-loss expert Linda Miller's website for completely free South Beach Diet Tips, and to see what you can eat on the South Beach Diet Phase 1

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South Beach Diet Supercharged Featured on CBN

Dr. Agatston discusses strategies for promoting healthy weight loss and fighting heart disease. He's the author of The South Beach Diet Super Charged and was featured on this CBN program.

The South Beach Diet Procedure - How to Make it Succeed For You

The South Beach Diet is one of the better-known weight-loss procedures, and you've probably already heard of it. But do you know the principles and practices which have made it so successful? Although the concept is fairly easy to understand, there are a lot of misconceptions around about this diet.

There is one simple principle at the heart of the South Beach diet procedure. The idea is to identify good carbohydrates and bad carbohydrates, and start to introduce more of the former and less of the latter into your diet.

Basically, you are replacing the 'bad carbs' with 'good carbs' on a gradual process. As it's a fairly new dieting principle, there is not much guidance around about exactly how to apply this idea to your own life ... so, here are some FAQ and straightforward answers which can help you understand the procedure and make it work for your own weight-loss requirements.

Q: What can I eat while implementing the South Beach Diet plan?
A: You can feel happy about this answer! A great deal of what you can eat on the diet are foods that you are most probably already eating: beef, fish and shellfish, all kinds of poultry, eggs, nuts, vegetables and some cheese.

Q: How often a day should I eat?
A: It's suggested that you should eat three times a day from the foods listed above and plenty of green fresh salads. (Salad dressing should be just olive oil.)

Q: Do I stick to the same diet all the time?
A: No. There are three stages to the South Beach diet. The foods listed above can be eaten during all these stages. But during the first stage, you stop eating a lot of 'bad carbs': ice-cream, beer and other alcoholic drinks (including no-alcohol beer), bakery items like pastries and cookies and candy ... in other words high-sugar foods. You also cut out bread, potatoes, pasta and rice. This phase is not usually very long - measured usually in weeks. Often people find they have got good control over their diet and eating urges by the end of two weeks.

During the second phase, you attain your target weight, so this phase can take different lengths of time from person to person. You continue with the same procedure as in Stage 1, but you occasionally allow yourself a controlled portion of the foods that you cut out in the first stage. This trains your body to exercise control and puts you 'in charge' of your food intake so that you don't eat so much of the 'bad carbs' that you gain excess weight. You don't stop the procedure of Stage 1 - you just introduce occasional portions of the foods you gave up.

Q: What if I get cravings? On the South Beach diet you actually train your body to crave foods that are good for it and which will not cause weight gain - foods that you are allowed to eat plenty of. If you cut out the bad carbohydrates as recommended in Stage 1, and then keep training yourself through discipline to have only controlled quantities of those bad carbs, you can re-train your body to prefer the good carbs. So the answer is to persist during the first two weeks - distract yourself if possible by eating good carbs instead, exercising or going for a walk - and after those two weeks you'll find yourself in better control. Phase 2 is then a cinch!

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South Beach Diet - A 3 Phase Approach to Weight Loss

The South Beach diet is unique because it doesn't follow a strict eating schedule. Designed with the food lover in mind, it allows you to live well and love what you eat. This diet has three convenient phases to make your diet transition smooth and comfortable.

Phase one focuses on eliminating cravings and starting the weight loss process. This phase is only two weeks long, making it the shortest phase of the South Beach program. It is designed to help you get rid of your cravings for sugar and refined starches. You will crave these things less often because the diet stabilizes your blood sugar levels. In this first phase, you will eat nutrient-dense foods that satisfy your appetite (lean meat, vegetables, eggs, and other low fat dairy products).

Phase two focuses on achieving a steady pace of weight loss. Also known as the long-term phase, the second phase is all about building on the first. If your weight loss goal is small (ten pounds or less) you can bypass phase one and start the program here. The foods you will eat in the second phase are almost identical to the first. The only difference is the addition of good carbohydrates. Whole grain bread, brown rice, and whole wheat pasta are examples of foods that are packed with good carbohydrates.

Phase three is all about maintenance. The last phase of the South Beach diet helps you to continue making smart food choices. You are ready for this step when you have achieved your healthy weight. The diet gets a little less strict at this point, and you even get to indulge in your favorite cheat foods every now and then.

Jake Dennert is dedicated to sharing his fitness knowledge with others. As a former member of the U.S. Marine Corps Infantry, he has first hand experience with what works and what doesn't work for getting into shape. For more useful fitness information, please visit his site: http://www.front-line-fitness-tips.com

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