What Foods Are Allowed on the South Beach Diet?
Jun 19th, 2008 by Linda Miller
When choosing a diet program, the food list can be a deciding factor for many people. Diets that have a long list of forbidden foods will be difficult and usually end in failure. The South Beach Diet is not that kind of diet.
When you take a look at the South Beach Diet you will be delighted to see that both the allowed and the forbidden foods are in fact varied in an interesting way and you will feel confident that you can use the “can haves” to come up with some super meal choices.
The diet has taken into account the fact that the majority of people enjoy eating meat of some description. Foodstuffs such as boiled ham, chicken breasts, Cornish game hen, lean cuts of beef and turkey feature on the list of items you can eat, even during Phase 1 when there is more concentration on cutting out bad carbohydrates and saturated fats.
For seafood lovers, you will be happy to discover that all types of food from the sea are allowed throughout the diet and oily fish such as cod and mackerel are well worth a place on your menu as they will provide you with your necessary omega-3 fatty acids intake.
Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet takes carbs out of your system, and this means no fruits and grains for two weeks. While this may sound strict, your body will thank you for eliminating these foods that hamper digestion and prevent healthy weight loss. In Phase 2, you will begin eating some carbs again in a healthier way that will still help you lose weight.
Fatty cheese and other dairy products are reintroduced to your diet during Phase 2 too. Cravings for these foods are also put in check during Phase 1, so you will find it easier to refrain from overeating these foods.
When studying the South Beach Diet you will see that there are numerous vegetables which you can incorporate in your menu. Some of the more popular ones are celery and collard greens, asparagus and cauliflower all of which you are allowed in large portions and as long as sweetened with Splenda, you can even eat pickles!
One of the great things about the South Beach diet is the delicious food combinations. Adding romaine lettuce or spinach to some of the meats and cheeses approved for Phase 1 will give you a smashing salad that will be satisfying and very filling.
The variation of the menu is one of the main reasons that the South Beach Diet is both popular and successful. You will be pleasantly surprised to discover that there are lots of food choices on the menu which you would normally eat so take a look at the South Beach Diet and see how following this plan can work for you.