The South Beach Diet: How to Guarantee Your Success in Phase One

Phase one of the South Beach diet can be the most grueling, yet rewarding of all. You'll learn to lose your love of bad carbs, and really enjoy eating healthy if you can be successful and stay on track. In this article I give an overview of phase one, and how to be the most successful dieter in this phase.

The first phase of the South Beach diet is it two week phase called the induction phase. During this phase carbohydrates are severely limited. The key is that not all carbohydrates are limited only the bad ones. The South Beach diet follows what is called the glycemic index. Basically you can eat unlimited amounts of many vegetables and salads. These types of foods are very high ranking on the glycemic index, and are referred to as good carbs.

What you'll do is eat six times daily. As usual you eat the main meals but in between those meals you'll eat three snacks. As mentioned earlier you can eat until you are full. As you may eat an unlimited amount, you should not feel hungry as these types of carbohydrates are good for you. The only bad thing about this phase is that the variety of foods you can eat is limited.

Here are some foods you may enjoy:

You may eat lean cuts such as sirloin tenderloin and top round. Other recommended foods include: turkey bacon, turkey and chicken breast, all fish and shellfish, ham, Canadian bacon, tenderloins, chopped cutlet, leg, top round, and fat-free low-fat cheese. You may also consume small quantities of peanut butter, peanuts, and pistachios.

Highly recommended for consumption is eggs including the yolks. However the egg should not be cooked in any fatty oils or other additives. In phase 1 vegetables are also highly recommended. Try some alfalfa sprouts, artichokes, asparagus, beans, brocolli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, collard greens, cucumber, egg plant, lettuce, mushrooms, snow peas, spinach, water chestnuts, and zucchini.

You do not have to avoid deserts altogether, but they should be sugar-free. Could you should avoid our all fruits and fruit juices, as well as all dairy in phase 1.

During this initial two-week phase you'll see a significant amount of weight loss. Many dieters are so encouraged by the initial weight loss that they increase this phase by another week or two. This is okay to do but this phase is not in it for the long-term as a food choices are rather limited. So from anywhere from two to four weeks you should plan on moving into phase 2.

Why most dieters are successful in phase 1

Most dieters are highly motivated in the first two weeks of any exercise or diet plan. This effect is dramatically increased with the South beach diet, because most people see a significant amount of weight loss. The hardest part is the breaking old habits of consuming bad carbs. If you can do this and stay on track these initial first two weeks can be an enjoyable experience for any South Beach dieter.

Final notes

The first two weeks is by far the most restrictive part of the South Beach diet. If you can survive this phase, the second and third phase will be a breeze. One common strategy to stay on track is to get a diet buddy. This allows you to motivate each other to eat only good carbs.

If you can't go "cold turkey" and cut out all the bad carbs at first, then try setting daily goals and meeting them. For instance, you may say that today you will eat two good carb meals and maybe cheat a little on the third. Whatever you do, setting goals for your success is important. Only you know what goals are attainable for yourself, so start them and make no exceptions. Following the ideas in this article will definitely help you succeed in phase 1 of the South Beach diet.