low calorie meals

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Subtitled: “The Delicious, Doctor-Designed, Foolproof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss” The South Beach Diet allows very limited carbohydrates for the first two weeks. Afterwards, you can reintroduce larger quantities of carbohydrates into your diet as long as you do not gain weight. This part of the South Beach Diet is essentially very close to the Atkins diet which forbids carbs for the first two weeks of the plan but allows them to seep back into your regular diet plan. Unlike Atkins, the South Beach Diet author, Agatston, suggests that you cut down saturated fats unlike Atkins.

Phase 1

The first two weeks of the South Beach Diet forbids eating pasta, bread, rice fruit, and potatoes. The author claims you will lose 8 to 13 pounds in this process.

Phase 2

Now it is time to reintroduce “good” carbs like whole grains and fruits. When you reach your private goal of weight loss you will move on to Phase 3 where you eat your usual portions but you must also live by the South Beach regulations.

Agatston says that counting calories is not a major priority. This flies smack in the face of respected dieticians who say calories DO count. Low-carb diets stress eating protein. In turn, that suppresses the appetite and you will lose weight but later calorie counts become more important in your plan. By not counting calories you are in danger of going back to your old eating habits that made you gain weight in the first place.

Menu plans are provided with the South Beach Diet book. These plans are set in the 1200 calorie range that is about the bare minimum for most people. Of course, with calorie intake this low you will almost certainly lose weight.

The South Beach Diet does require the addition of more fiber into your regular diet plan. This is done just before you eat a meal by taking a spoonful of Metamucil. This slows down the digestion of the food you eat and, in its way, reduces the urge to eat afterwards.

Metamucil is a bulk-producing laxative and fiber supplement made by Proctor & Gamble. The primary ingredient is Psyllium seed husks which expand and become mucilaginous when wet and soluble in water. They are indigestible in human beings. The husks are dried and chopped or powdered for use. It is used to tread hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IDS). Metamucil is sold in powdered drink mixes, capsules and wafers.

Some cautions

Quickly cutting off carbohydrates can cause your body to go into shock. You may experience severe mood swings and even depression. Constipation and dehydration is a complaint of people on the South Beach Diet program. The first few days on the diet may cause intense hunger pains but you will survive that.

Increase your water intake when on the South Beach Diet.

As always, the authors of diet books will usually not tell you that the secrets to losing weight are not really so secretive. Eat smaller portions and eat unprocessed carbohydrates (i.e. fruits and vegetables). Don’t eat too much starch (rice and potatoes). Step up your exercise program! Have fun!

Rebecca Chan is a freelance writer. She is particularly interested in diets and weight loss plans. See http://www.weightlossquest.info An example of her work is located at http://www.weightlossquest.info/diets/south-beach-diet/review.shtml that you can read and digest in the comfort of your own home.

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low calorie meals