South Beach Diet Guidelines

The South Beach Diet, considering its impact to the people and to society itself, is the “big thing” in a series of diet fads.  Being an eating plan for a healthy body, many people, especially dieters, should know the South Beach Diet guidelines including some of the restrictions that the South Beach Diet sets.  Of course, abiding by the South Beach Diet guidelines is the best move that a dieter could make.  The South Beach Diet guidelines are simply the key to a perfect diet and perfect result.

So for those who want to know the basic South Beach Diet guidelines, this article is for you.  Below are some facts about the South Beach Diet guidelines.

Probably you all know that the South Beach Diet is divided into three phases.  As such, it is important to know that the South Beach Diet guidelines are then set according to those phases.  But, the two first phases are those where the guidelines are fully set since the last phase is the one to last for a lifetime.

Generally, the South Beach Diet guidelines that are set during the first and the second phase are divided into four different meals; those are breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack.  Looking at the guidelines for breakfast during the first phase of the diet, it is interesting to note that the protein quantity is not limited and that a minimum of ½ cup of vegetables is recommended.  However, fruits, starch, and milk are fully restricted.  Also, for fat, the dieter is then allowed one teaspoon of mayonnaise or oil, but this is just optional. 

During lunch, the South Beach Diet guidelines go like this: the protein quantity is not limited; minimum of 2 cups of vegetables; no fruit, starch and milk; and one tablespoon of mayonnaise or oil.  These guidelines for lunch hold true with the dinner.  It is also noted that snacks are required.

For phase two, the South Beach Diet guidelines seem so complicated because more foods are introduced.  The second phase reintroduces fruits and whole grains to the diet.  So, it is noted that during breakfast, the South Beach Diet guidelines include: protein quantity is not limited; minimum of ½ cup for vegetables; one fruit serving allowed daily and also true with starch; 1-1 ½ cups of milk daily; and one teaspoon mayonnaise or oil for fats. 

The same guidelines for breakfast hold true for lunch and dinner except that there is a minimum of 2 cups for vegetables for lunch.  In terms of snacks during the second phase of the diet, it is interesting to note that the South Beach Diet guidelines for snack hold that snacks are optional.  The dieter can select from the protein, vegetable, or fruits list or eat nuts from the fats list.  Also, plain and low fat or fat-free yogurt is also allowed. 

After phase two, the South Beach Diet guidelines are not at all a necessity for the phase three since this is now the phase that will last for a lifetime.  The dieters can even forget about the South Beach Diet as long as they stick with the basic guidelines.