Every year, there seems to be a new fad diet that people are trying in order to lose a ton of weight. The South Beach Diet is one of them. But this diet has actually stuck around through the years. But does it work? Yes and no. For some people, the South Beach Diet has been the miracle they’ve been waiting for, but others aren’t so lucky. If you’re considering beginning this diet program, here is all you need to know about the South Beach Diet.

History: The South Beach Diet was designed by cardiologist Arthur Agatston and dietician Marie Almon. It was originally supposed to prevent heart disease, but in the early 2000s, Dr. Agatston realized it could also help people lose weight. Since then, its popularity has skyrocketed, with books and packaged foods being designated for it.

What It Does: The South Beach Diet can lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. It can also raise HDL ("good") cholesterol. It does this through changing your diet and giving you the information needed to live a healthy lifestyle. The South Beach Diet isn’t all about eating though. It also emphasizes physical activity, which fits in with eating a healthy diet.

The Diet: The basic concept is that to replace "bad carbs" and "bad fats" with "good carbs" and "good fats."

Good Carbs and Bad Carbs: Agaston stated we feel hungry often because we eat foods that are rich in carbs. These foods are digested quickly and set off a spike in blood sugar. This includes foods with heavily refined sugar and grains. In contrast, good carbs must have a low glycemic index. Those following the South Beach Diet do not eat bad carbs, and instead opt for unprocessed foods (good carbs) like beans, whole grains and vegetables.

Good Fats and Bad Fats: The South Beach Diet aims to eliminate trans-fats and saturated fats, which contribute to LDL cholesterol and heart disease. Instead, dieters eat foods rich in rich in unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acid. Fatty portions of red meat and poultry, for example, are replaced with lean meats, nuts, and oily fish.

Phases: The South Beach Diet is divided into three phases, beginning with most stringent.

Phase 1 – Eliminate Craving and Kick Start Weight Loss: This phase lasts for two weeks and is meant to cut off all the cravings you have for unhealthy foods. Dieters cannot eat any sugars, processed carbohydrates, fruits, and certain higher-glycemic vegetables. Dieters should also see significant weight loss.

Foods for Phase 1: Lean protein, such as fish and other seafood; skinless white-meat poultry and lean cuts of beef; soy protein; high-fiber veggies; reduced-fat cheeses; eggs; low-fat dairy; and healthy, unsaturated fats, such as those found in avocados, nuts and seeds, and extra-virgin olive and canola oils. Starches (including pasta, rice, and breads) and sugars (including those from fruits and fruit juices) are eliminated.

Phase 2 – Lose Steadily: This phase can last as long as the dieter wants. He or she is allowed to eat most fruits and vegetables and some whole grains.

Foods for Phase 2: You can eat everything you ate during Phase 1 plus healthy carbs, such as whole-grain breads, brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, fruits, and some nutrient-dense root vegetables (like sweet potatoes).

Phase 3 – Maintain For Life: This phase is all about continuing this healthy lifestyle. It should last for life. While, there isn’t a specific list of foods you can or cannot eat, the dieter is supposed to base his or her diet off of the principles introduced through the first two phases.

For more information on the South Beach Diet, click here!