The South Beach Diet Approved Food List for the 3 Phases

Perhaps you have heard all the talk about the new South Beach Diet approved food list. Maybe you even have friends who are dropping some serious pounds on the diet. Now your interest is piqued! What exactly does this diet involve? What types of food on the approved list will you be restricted to? Many of these questions can be answered by looking at what comprises the South Beach Diet.

Phase 1 is the Most Restrictive

The South Beach Diet is broken into three phases. Phase 1 is considered the most restrictive (though how restricted can you feel while eating cheesy omelets for breakfast?), as it has you eliminate all sugars and carbs from your diet for 14 days. The approved food list for the next phase slowly adds back in fruits, and gets you used to eating healthy whole grains. The third phase is the least restrictive phase and is meant to be a lifelong eating plan, not just a quickly forgotten fad diet.

Unlike other high profile high protein diets, the South Beach Diet is vegetarian friendly. Things like tofu and meat substitutes are permitted. Veggie burgers, hotdogs, and chicken nuggets are fine, as well as natural peanut butter. Also on the South Beach Diet approved food list is a wide variety of vegetables and plenty of low-fat cheeses.

What You Can Eat in Phases 2 and 3

After the two weeks of phase 1 are over, you will be allowed to add more variety back into your diet by way of approved fruits and starches. Phase 2 of the South Beach diet allows for more items to be taken off the list of restricted foods, like apples, blueberries, grapes, mangos, oranges, peaches and strawberries. Even a small glass of wine is permitted. As far as starches, good whole grain options are reintroduced such as whole-wheat pasta, popcorn, cereal and even bagels. Multigrain bread such as rye, whole wheat, oat and bran can now be consumed. You can even enjoy some healthy brown rice.

As far as the approved food list for phase 3 of the South Beach diet is concerned, it consists of the same principles: protein, vegetables, fruits, and smaller amounts of whole grains. By this phase you have learned the skills you need to maintain your ideal weight. Phase 3 is not the end of the diet, but your new way of life.

Stick to the South Beach Diet approved food list for each phase and you will see a change for the better in your weight and in your health!

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