Pray It Off 05/19/2011 South Beach Phase One

The South Beach Diet
Phase One : Rapid Weight Loss
("Banishing Your Cravings")*

This two-week phase is similar to the Atkins Diet "Induction Phase", where carbohydrates are severely limited.

The key difference is that not all carbohydrates are limited, only the bad ones. You can eat many low glycemic index carbs, including unlimited amounts of many vegetables and salads.

In this phase you'll lose your yearning for "Bad Carbs", and shed a significant amount of weight.

Here you eat six times daily: 3 main meals,
plus three snacks in between times. You should not feel hungry ... if you do, chances are your portion size is too small.

Here's a summary list of foods to enjoy and avoid during phase one:

Beef

Enjoy Lean cuts, e.g. Sirloin, Tenderloin, Top round
Avoid Brisket, Liver, other fatts cuts, Rib steaks

Poultry (skinless)

Enjoy Cornish hen, Turkey Bacon, Turkey & Chicken breast
Avoid Chicken wings & legs

Seafood

Enjoy All fish & shellfish

Pork

Enjoy Boiled ham, canadian bacon, tenderloin
Avoid Honey-baked ham

Veal

Enjoy Chop, cutlet, leg, top round
Avoid Breast

Cheese

Enjoy Fat-free, low fat
Avoid Brie, creamy cheeses, non-reduced fat

Nuts

Enjoy In small quantities: Peanut butter, peanuts, pecans, pistachios

Eggs

Enjoy Unlimited (yes, including yolks!)

Vegetables

Enjoy Alfalfa sprouts, artichokes, asparagus, beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, collard greens, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, muchrooms, snow peas, spinach, turnips, water chestnuts, zucchini
Avoid Beets, carrots, corn, potatoes, tomato (1 per meal allowed), yams

Fruit

Avoid All fruits and fruit juices in phase one

Dairy

Avoid All dairy in phase one (even low-fat milk)

Fats

Enjoy Canola oil, olive oil
Avoid All other fats

Alcohol

Avoid Sorry - no alcohol of any kind during phase one!

Sweets

Enjoy Sugar-free desserts

Although phase one runs for just two weeks, many dieters increase this for another week or two as they are so encouraged by their weight loss.

This is fine ... just bear in mind that the food choices are rather limited, so it's not a good option staying in phase one for the long-term.

So, after two weeks (or maybe 3-4 weeks, depending on your preference), it's time for phase two .

*http://www.southbeachdietguide.com/phase-one.html

Photo:southbeachdiet.com