South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet is a popular fad diet developed by Arthur Agatston and promoted in a best-selling 2003 book. It emphasizes eating high-fiber, low-glycemic carbohydrates, unsaturated fats, and lean protein, and categorizes carbohydrates and fats as "good" or "bad". Like other fad diets, it may have elements which are generally recognized as sensible, but it promises benefits not backed by supporting evidence or sound science.

The diet has three stages, and gradually increases the proportion of carbohydrate consumed as it progresses while simultaneously decreasing the proportions of fat and protein. It includes a number of recommended foods such as lean meats and vegetables, and has a concept of "good" (mostly monounsaturated) fats. It makes no restriction on calorie intake, includes an exercise program, and is based around taking three main meals and two snacks per day.

The first stage of the diet aims for rapid weight loss (13 lbs in 2 weeks). According to the UK's National Health Service, (NHS) the severity of the first stage of the diet may result in the loss of some vitamins, minerals and fiber. The NHS reports that dietary restrictions during stage one may cause side effects including "bad breath, a dry mouth, tiredness, dizziness, insomnia, nausea and constipation." Such symptoms would be rectified once the less extreme phases of the diet then began.

Like other fad diets, the South Beach Diet has been marketed with bold claims that are not supported by evidence and with an unrealistic promise of easy weight loss. The book which promotes it also contains some incorrect and misleading information. Nevertheless, some aspects of the diet correspond with dietary advice which is recognized as sensible: its last two stages are sufficiently nutritious to be considered healthy. Like other high-fat diets, its short-term safety has been established, but its long-term safety has not.

The diet is promoted as improving risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, but the effectiveness for improving these risk factors is unclear because no evidence on its effects is available. A trial found no change in weight loss compared to usual care.

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Wikipedia