The South Beach Diet - Page 2
Never Underestimate the Power of Exercise
The creator of the South Beach Diet asserts that the plan will work regardless of your exercise habits. But regular exercise is an essential part of any weight management plan. It boosts your metabolism and contributes to overall health, especially that of your heart, by lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking and jogging, strengthen your bones and help prevent osteoporosis. Strength-training exercises increase your muscle mass, leading to a leaner body that burns more calories.
Try one -- or more -- of our free workout videos.
Avoid Dangerous Yo-Yo Dieting
The South Beach Diet advises that you simply return to the first phase of the plan anytime your weight begins to creep back up. But the truth is, repeatedly losing and gaining back large amounts of weight, or yo-yo dieting, is simply not healthy. It stresses, and ultimately ages, your body. If you find yourself slipping into bad eating habits, try to steer back on the healthy track, avoiding high-fat, nutrient-poor foods and exercising daily.
Choose a Diet You Can Grow Young With
Every day you face choices about what to eat. By choosing to eat a sensible diet that includes a mix of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean meats, and fish, you can control your weight. Controlling your weight will give you more control over your health, which can ultimately add more years to your life.
If your daily patterns have led to extra pounds or a more worrisome weight problem, a slightly modified version of the South Beach Diet along with regular exercise can help you adopt healthy habits and achieve a healthy weight.
Want more options? Try this "diet smarter, not harder" plan from the YOU Docs.
| POPULAR DIET COMPARISON | |||
| Diet | Description | Potential Problems |
Effectiveness |
| Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution (by R. Atkins, M.D.) | Drastically reduces intake of dietary carbohydrates, in favor of proteins | No restrictions on meat, eggs, and dairy; may raise LDL cholesterol and heart disease risks due to excess saturated fats | Insufficient evidence to make recommendations for or against this diet as a long-term strategy |
| The Anti-Aging Zone (by B. Sears, Ph.D.) | Requires eating set combinations of foods -- 40% carbohydrates, 30% proteins, and 30% fats -- at set times | Typically contains less than 1,000 calories per day, which may result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies | No scientific reason for eating set combinations of foods at set times |
| Lifestyle Program (by D. Ornish, M.D.) | Combines vegetarian and low-fat diets; encourages high-fiber foods and discourages processed foods | Many have trouble sticking with the proposed dietary restrictions long-term | Some evidence that it may decrease LDL cholesterol and weight |
