For those who have never done it, this is done in stages. The first part is done over a 2-week period and the person will refrain from eating food such as bread, potatoes, baked foods, fruit and the consumption of any kind of alcohol. The individual may have an occasional serving of low fat yogurt or milk.

When the individual’s stomach has adjusted, it is time to bring in some of those that were taken out back into the diet. These include tomatoes, fruits and onions.

If the person is able to do this properly after another two weeks, the third part will basically be making sure that the current diet does not change. Those who are able to stick to the program as written in books and other related literature will be able to lose weight in no time.

Where it all started

The South beach diet program was created by Dr. Arthut Agatston, a cardiologist, for his patients. Despite the perception, South Beach diet is not a low carbohydrate diet. Instead, it is based on the Glycemic Index, a scale where in people can find the effects of various carbohydrate-rich food on their blood sugar level. South Beach diet focuses on finding a balance on the foods that bring in the good carbohydrate and fats and the foods that don’t.

Phases to go through

South Beach diet involves different phases that dieters must take in order to complete the program. The first phase is the most crucial and the strictest part as it involves a major change in the eating lifestyle of the person. In this phase, the person on a diet is forbidden to eat anything but fish, shellfish, meat, chicken, turkey, vegetables, nuts, eggs and cheese. They are not allowed to take in carbohydrate-rich food such as bread, rice, pasta and cereals. Ditto with sugar-rich food such as candies, ice cream, cakes, and even fruits. This phase will last for a period of two weeks.

What is different from other diets is the fact that people under the program are allowed to each as much as they want. There is no restriction when it comes to the quantity. In fact, they are even allowed to take three meals a day plus an added boon, the additional morning and afternoon snacks and the dessert. Of course, they are advised to drink lots of water, coffee and tea.

The second phase in the program involves an unspecific period of time as it depends solely on the progress of the diet. It will run until the person reaches his or her ideal weight. In this phase, the dieter will have to incorporate the carbohydrates back into the daily diet but only in moderation. This takes patience as dieters can only lose about two pounds a week, which can be really frustrating as they have lost as much as 13 pounds in the previous phase.

After reaching the ideal body weight, dieters will go through the third phase, which is actually the maintenance of the new eating lifestyle. Creators of the South Beach diet hopes that through the program, the body has changed the way it craves for food.

For instance, because the body has not taken in much carbohydrates; it will cease to crave foods that are rich in carbo. The aim of the third phase is actually quite simple. Dieters need only to maintain the ideal weight that they have achieved in the second phase.

Does this require exercising to help in losing weight? People who have been interviewed have claimed that this is not needed to get rid of those extra pounds. This is because the body will be forced to burn more calories because of the limited intake.

There was a time that the South Beach diet was not that popular among vegetarians since the individual will have to eat meat in small servings. There have been changes and people may now take advantage of this regimen.

There are cookbooks and other related information on the Internet that the person can make at home to be able to lose 8 or more pounds just like regular people.

The number of pounds that an individual can lose will vary. This really depends on the individual’s genetics since there are people who are fat and thin. It is best to consult a doctor first to make sure that this type of diet is safe for the person to try.

According to the theory, when carbohydrates are no longer being taken in, the body will be forced to use fats and water as alternative sources of energy; thereby helping to shed off those unwanted pounds.

Fats, unbeknownst to many, can actually be converted to energy. The body just doesn’t use it as the first priority because it is more complex in structure and therefore, harder to break down and convert into energy. Among the popular low carbohydrate diets in the country is the Atkins diet.

Despite arguments from its critics, low carbohydrate diet has proven its effectiveness in terms of losing that extra weight. To date, it counts millions of followers not only in the country but also outside America.

Actually, cutting down on carbohydrates in the diet is a practice that people have been doing for years. When people cut down on their rice or bread or do not eat rice at all, they are reducing their carbohydrate intake. Of course, because it is not an official diet plan they are not really restricting themselves completely. When you are under a diet plan, you are not allowed to eat any kind of carbohydrates.

One of the advantages of low carbohydrate diet is the fact that it can actually increase the levels of good cholesterol in the body. This is really good news to people who have a heart problem. This is perhaps the reason why Atkins diet was used for cardio patients. This diet plan can also reduce the amount of triglycerides in the body. Triglycerides can be dangerous when combined with a high level of LDL or bad cholesterol. Both can increase the risk for heart attack and heart disease.

Low carb diet plans are also found to be good in balancing mood swings. They will not be prone to extreme lows such as depression or extreme high. People who are under the program are found to have fairly stable energy levels unlike those with high carbo levels.

LOW CARB DIET 101

Indeed, a lot has been said about various diets and how these work for some people. There’ s the Atkins Diet, the South Beach, the After-Six Diet plan and so on goes on the list of diet crazes that swept the western world and even Asian regions. Among all these, one type of diet has become popular than the others it’s called the Low Carb Diet.

Basically, low carb diet actually emphasizes cutting down on from a person’s daily food intake. This diet allows the dieter to take in all foods except those that have carbohydrates. Although there are many testimonies that prove that low carb diet really works, you must be very knowledgeable first about its pros and cons before deciding to go with the hype.

People who have tried low carb diets say that its advantages include:

1. Faster and quicker weight loss compared to fasting.

2. The diet may result to higher protein intake and absorption.

3. It stabilizes blood sugar levels and is extremely beneficial to those who suffer from diabetics.

Experts say that the disadvantages of low carb diets may include:

- High cholesterol levels due to the lack of protein-rich and fatty foods that has saturated fats.
- Increased blood pressure due to elimination of whole grains products that help lower blood pressure.
- It can lead to osteoporosis because there will be no enough supply of calcium.
- In some cases, this diet can lead to diarrhea, constipation, and severe headaches.
- Low carb diets increase the possibility of lower mental acuity.
- Instead of losing weight, this diet can lead to weight gain.
If you are planning on taking low carb diet, here are some helpful tips to keep you in track:

1. Make sure to drink lots of water to avoid dehydration and constipation.

2. Consider taking in more fiber and vitamin supplements.

3. Cease from consuming products that has sugar.

4. Cut down on taking in products that contain caffeine.

5. Monitor your daily carbohydrate intake.

6. Don’t mind calories, they are allowed in this diet.

7. Acquire a carbohydrate counter to keep you updated.

8. Do regular physical activities and exercise to reach ketosis easily.

9. Brace yourself for diarrhea that may last for a couple of days.

10. If possible, avoid eating foods that have saturated fats.

Alright, I know that everyone must be ready to fight me on this but hear me out for a second.

I will give you this: I agree that low carb diets work for a VERY short period of time. That’s the key. All those low carb diet products out there focus only on the fact that this program does work but they leave out the part about very short time, specifically 2-3 weeks, if even that long. Usually, for most people, they only work for about a week or two. Rarely have I ever heard anyone say, in complete honesty, that low carb diets work for longer than 2 weeks.

The one good thing about low carb diets is that it forces you to cut out foods that you should be avoiding in the first place. Things that are banned in low carb diets are definitely candy, ice cream, chewing gum and high-starch vegetables, which can be eaten very occasionally. Those are always good to avoid based alone on the high starch or carb content in these foods. So that’s the one redeeming factor here.

The rest of the story is definitely not so great! For long term efforts, low carb diets do nothing for your weight loss goals. Instead of burning fat and losing weight, your body is doing something that seems totally alien to us but is completely natural in your body’s healthy functioning.

For those who (for some reason) stick with low carb diets for the long term, the body will attempt to balance out the acid build up in your blood from all of the protein this diet tells you to eat. There is so much excess protein (everything in moderation, I say) that it can leech calcium from your bones and cause acid build up in your blood. The body’s natural reaction is to balance everything out and keep it on an even keel. The medical term for this is osteoporosis! Clearly, this is a bad effect directly influenced from low carb diets.

Even if that is a result that is specifically for women, here’s something that will apply to everyone. The human brain uses tons of nutrients in his normal functioning, glucose being one of them. Yes, you’ve heard of glucose before; it’s a simple sugar, which is basically a carb. When you eat a low carb diet, you’re basically depleting your body of glucose. So basically, low carb diets can negatively affect your brain’s normal functions, something none of the low carb diets advertise.

I’m not completely anti low carb. I definitely think that low carb diets have its place, usually only in the first week of a new nutritional plan. And I don’t deny the results that do come from it, both good and bad. But my argument is completely for what is the best way to lose weight and low carb diets used for the long term is absolutely NOT the best way to lose weight; it’s not even a good way!

Low carb diets should ONLY be used for your first week of a new nutritional plan. And successful nutritional plan should, must, include a healthy diet balanced between proteins, carbs, fats and fibers and it should also incorporate an exercise regimen. While eating healthy will help you lose weight, exercising will put your results nearly over the top. There is no reason NOT to exercise. Even if you don’t start of exercising because of your weight, once you’ve lost that weight, you absolutely should exercise! To lose weight, you can’t get better than a great healthy diet plus effective exercising!

The diet program is actually based on the book that Atkins published in 1999. Aptly titled, “Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution, the book created a world-wide sensation with people taking in pros and cons position. Despite the opinions of his critics, the book became an overnight hit in bookstores nationwide. In fact, Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution topped the New York Times Bestsellers list, which is perhaps the most prestigious bestsellers book list in the country. What is more, it has stayed in the list for seven years. Truly a great fit for a diet book.

Atkins’ Diet Revolution is made up of seven chapters. It explains the basics of the diet program. It also contains tips on leading a healthy lifestyle in the 21st century as well as different recipes that dieters can whip up at home.

One of the advantages of the Atkins diet program is the fact that people are allowed to choose the food that they will eat and to prepare their meals themselves. This is less expensive than having foods delivered to you. Being able to choose the food that you will eat increases the will and commitment to stay into the program.

The diet is based on the rationale that taking in less carbohydrates in meals can help in the reduction of weight. This is because the water content in the body is flushed off when the body uses it as an alternative source of energy.

The same goes with the fat cells, which are temporarily used for energy in lieu of the missing carbohydrates. As you well know, both fats and carbohydrates are potential sources of energy. The body just prefers the carbohydrates as it can easily be burned as opposed to fats, which has a really complex structure.

Another advantage of the Atkins program is the fact that it is a very good diet for people with diabetes and a whole lot more. In fact, according to many dieticians, the Atkins Diet is the only diet that can prevent the incidence of high blood pressure and high cholesterol as well as obesity, which are all precursors of the Type 2 form of diabetes.

Have you tested out some of the low carb diet plans? My partner is on one right at this moment. It took me a while to completely appreciate the system behind the new-age low carb diet plans. All right, so we all know that particular types of fat are bad and cause us to put on weight. Next there are calories. This seems to be the reason that slipped by loads of us for years. Everybody was so worried with fat intake that they in essence forgot about calories. A normal person should devour in the region of 2000 calories each day. On the other hand, we are all different, and what exactly is normal? In the end, you would like your caloric intake to consist of nourishing foods. This is why low carb diet plans promote high protein and vitamin intake. This replenishes and builds the body. When you resort to consuming masses of carbs, you on the whole feed your body more than it can burn up. So therefore you’re left with all of those nasty carbs in your body, which have no where to go, thus causing you to put on weight.

Low carb diet plans truly push the significance of protein. If you don’t already realize, protein is what builds our muscles and makes our bodies strong. Muscle mass is the type of weight you do choose to gain. If you’re packing on these pounds, as opposed to fat pounds, subsequently it’s not actually a problem. It’s always prudent to go by how you appear and not necessarily what you weigh. I say this for the reason that muscle weighs more than fat. If you’re looking to try one of the low carb diet plans, it is a good notion to surf the web. Any queries you have relating to low carb diet plans or any other diet, can be answered online. In addition to diet plans, you can discover a great quantity of information concerning fitness and exercise online also.

Some programs recommend the person eat products that are rich in carbohydrates while cutting down on protein and the other way around. A few examples of these are the south beach diet, protein power and the Aitkin’s diet.

One program that could make the person have great abs and lose weight is called the Abs diet. Mr. David Zinczenko, author of the book “The Abs Diet Eat Right Every Time Guide”, is the person who designed the abs diet. Thos who want to try this should commit to the program over a 6-week period. After which the individual will see a dramatic change such as flatter abs and weight loss.

This dietary plan was initially designed for men but some women have also tried it and have reported to show positive results. Studies have shown that a pound of muscle gained helps the person burn more than 50 calories per day. So, if after extensive work in the gym the individual is able to develop 10 pounds of muscle, this translates to burning 500 calories daily.

People who follow the program consistently are able to lose twelve pounds in the first two weeks with about five to eight in the succeeding weeks. Everybody normally eats three square meals a day. This diet program involves eating small servings six times a week. The food consists of eggs, whole grain cereals or bread, poultry, lean meat, low fat dairy products and certain fruits.

Aside from only eating those in the list, the person will also have to endure a 20-minute workout three times a week that is designed to help in the fat burning process. The abs diet is fairly new compared to other programs that have been around for more than 10 years. The abs diet is available in the bookstore or in the Internet. It is best to read up on it and do some research so the person will be able to understand what will happen should the individual decide to try it out.

Dieting doesn’t always mean giving on some of those favorite meals but simply cutting down on some and getting the much needed energy for the body from something else. A good example is the Atkins’ diet. This type of program focuses on taking in less carbohydrates and more of proteins.

There are more than five diet programs that focus on less carbs. The reason is because one carbohydrate focuses on four water molecules. People that are able to stick to the plan are capable of losing more than 10 pounds in less than a month’s time.

Why can’t the person just give up eating foods that contain carbohydrates? This is because people need this source of energy for brain activity and muscle function. A good way to maintain a good amount in the system is to eat food such as whole wheat or gain and staying away from products such as pasta, bread or rice that are color white. Brown bread or red rice can be consumed.

The best way to maintain this is by making sure that carbohydrate intake should not exceed 65% in the food being eaten.

Fat is also something that the individual has to watch out for since this also contributes to weight gain. One way to maintain it will be to make sure that the person only consumes 30% calorie intake from these products. A few examples of these are non-fat milk, nuts, vegetables, fruits and other fat free products available in the grocery store.

Eating less will reduce the calories. Now, in order to burn the existing ones causing flabs to appear in the body, the person has to exercise. Cardiovascular exercises such as swimming, running, aerobics and cycling are some of the best ways to lose weight. This is because the individual will use muscle glycogen and fatty acids as an energy source through out the entire exercise.

The American Council for Sports Medicine believe that a cardiovascular workout should last for a minimum of 20 minutes and done at least three times a week. In order to lose weight, the individual should at least do it for half an hour for five days weekly.

This means the individual has to be careful about the kind of food being taken in that has this chemical. One way will be to reduce eating items that are high in saturated fat such as those found in dairy products, poultry, egg yolks and red meat.

Another will be avoiding the kind of food being offered in fast food joints. The ingredients and oil used in the cooking have also been known to contain high levels of cholesterol that are not safe for the body.

The ideal way to maintain a low cholesterol diet is to eat products that are fat free like those made in dairy products. The person should also consume lean meat, fish, skinless poultry and whole grain foods.

The individual should also not forget to get some vitamins and nutrients from fresh fruits and green vegetables. These are better when combined with large quantities of monostaturates and olive oil.

The way to cook these products is also important. Instead of frying, the best way to reduce the cholesterol is to grill or roast the meat, boil or steam those vegetables or fish. The cooking time will surely be much slower than before so another way will be to use the microwave.

If ever the person needs to use cooking oil, it is best to use low fat oils that are available at the supermarket.

Another thing the individual should avoid is consuming products such as beer, wine and soda. It is okay to have a drink on occasion but living a healthier lifestyle will be achieved by only taking water and fresh juice from fruits.

A low cholesterol diet should also be combined with some form of exercise. This can be as simple as going for a morning stroll, jogging or running. The person can also hit the water if there is a pool nearby but if not, there is surely a gym so one can sweat it out.

The one in control of the person’s well being is no other than that individual. This means it is matter of choice what food or drinks to buy in the grocery which is also the same when ordering a meal in the restaurant.

Undeniably, because of the busy courses of people’s lives, people tend to forget some of the vital fragments in maintaining a healthy lifestyle diet and nutrition.

THE CONVERGENCE

The terms “diet” and “nutrition” are defined into two different sentences but are greatly connected. By definition, “diet” refers to the food and liquid intake of a person while “nutrition” pertains to the science of dealing with food and nourishment. When these two are combined, an entirely new meaning can be derived. More than the issues of food and liquid intake and the science of food and nourishment, diet and nutrition can revolve around nutritional information on various dietary supplements and the benefits vitamins and minerals to a person’s body.

Making yourself familiar with latest diet and nutrition topics, trends, and tips can lead you to the renewal of your health and well being commitment inside your home. You must remember that it’s never too late to redirect your eating habits, but before you take that drastic change, learn what are the common diet and nutrition mistakes so you can avoid them.

1. Careless assumption that the food choices you have are better than they actually are. Experts say that people who are very particular about diet and nutrition have larger tendencies of thinking and believing that their food choices are healthier than they really are. Make sure that you eat whole, fresh, and unprocessed foods whenever possible.

2. Confusion over carbohydrates. Although many people say that low carb diets are effective, experts say that there are excellent carbs that make people eat less. So before you cut down on carbs totally, make sure that you have consulted your dietician if this diet will be good for you.

3. You think you’re eating too much when you’re not. Experts say that one of the most common mistakes people make is that they overestimate and underestimate the amount of food their body needs. Make sure that you monitor the portion sizes of your food.

4. Not eating enough food or not eating often. Overeating and under eating may put the person at risk because it disrupts disrupting blood sugar and insulin levels. Make sure that you eat something every three hours and don’t starve before eating the next meal.

5. Neglecting the value of regular exercise. Making exercise a regular part of your life can definitely contribute to great diet and nutrition.

6. Taking in a lot of dietary supplements. A vitamin or dietary pill is a supplement that is meant to complement a person’s diet; therefore it should not be considered as substitutes for the foods you’re supposed to be eating. Experts say that one all-purpose multivitamin a day is enough to complement the nutrients you don’t get from the foods you don’t eat.

7. Following nutrition and weight loss guidelines by the book. Since people are different, it is only natural for them to have individual needs. Although diet and nutrition plans work for the majority of people, not everything can help you improve you overall diet and nutrition.

One of the major reasons why people get overweight or suffer from minor and major health risks is that they don’t practice having a healthy diet. Healthy diet which include eating balanced amount of food from all food groups along with exercise or regular physical activity can lessen people’s inclination to health problems.

PLANNING ON A HEALTHY DIET

Experts say that though basic principle of healthy diet is simple, most people are having a hard time sticking to it. Major reasons may include a super busy lifestyle, work that causes a lot of stress or even an environment that is not conducive to having a healthy diet.

Although it is hard to start and maintain a healthy diet, nothing is impossible if you really want to achieve a healthy mind and body. For starters, it is advisable to mix up food choices from each food group. Eating a large variety of foods and veggies can also serve as a warm up in avoiding the foods that contribute to drastic weight gain. Having a balanced intake of calcium-rich foods, whole grains, and protein-rich products will also keep you in track.

To be able to maintain eating a healthy diet, you must also know your restrictions of fats, salt and sugars levels, and intakes. Lastly, you must monitor your body weight regularly for you to know if your body is absorbing all the nutrients it needs.

Here are more tips for eating well and achieving a healthy diet:

1. Meals based on starchy foods are a good start to a healthy diet. Experts agree that people should eat more starchy foods such as bread, cereals, rice, pasta, and potatoes because they are a good source of energy not to mention being the main source of a range of nutrients of a person’s diet like fiber, calcium, iron, and vitamin B.

2. Load up a lot of fruits and veggies. Eating at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day is an ideal way to maintain a healthy diet. But, it is sometimes hard to achieve because people do not want to waste time peeling or chopping certain fruits and veggies. The best way to keep up with the recommended fruit and veggies intake if to eat a variety of fruits that are either fresh, frozen, canned or dried and picking out veggies that can be finger delights such as celery, broccoli, carrots, beans and peas.

3. Be more “fishy” Despite of the so-called “high mercury content” of fish, nutrition experts say that eating more fish especially oily fish is an important component of a healthy diet because it is a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals.

4. Try to cut down on saturated fats and sugars. Do not totally cut down on fats because your body needs it to stay healthy. Basically, fats are categorized into saturated and unsaturated fat. The former has high amount of cholesterol and the latter has lower amounts that lowers blood cholesterol. Cut down only on foods that are high in saturated fat such meat pies, sausages, hard cheese, butter and lard, pastry, cakes and biscuits, cream and the like. Also monitor your sugar intake because aside from causing decay, sugary foods can also be high in calories that contribute to weight gain.

5. Eat less salt. Too much salt can raise your blood pressure.

6. Drink lots and lots of water to keep your body well-hydrated.

A low diet plan may be healthy but at the same time you must be careful with the menus it provides you. The main reason why I am saying this is because there are a few low carb diet plans that can drain all your energy because your body may not be getting enough nutrients. Low carb diet plan menus can decrease the risk of diseases. Foods such as fruits and vegetables are popular in low carb diet plan menus, This means that you will reduce the risk of having certain diseases like cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke etc.

Low diet plans are considered to be healthy. Among other advantages that you could get from such diet plan menus are controlling of blood sugar, Cholesterol and for people are are diabetic, It is highly recommended that they eat these foods that are considered to have fewer carbs.Below are the factors that you should consider for any low diet plan and it is highly recommended that you make sure any low carb diet menu plan that you get into provides various types of foods.

Any healthy low carb diet plan must provide you with a balanced diet. This means that you must be able to get enough nutrients from all sources of food to support your body.Any of these diets must include drinking plenty of water. Any low diet plan that is healthy must not use starvation methods as a way to eat fewer calories. Starving yourself is unhealthy. A good and healthy low carb diet always recommends exercises that you can do to stay more healthy. You don’t have to have membership at the gym in order to exercise and stay healthy. You can do low intensity workouts like jogging and walking in the evenings and that should be enough for your health. Make sure that any low carb diet plan menu that you get into has a recommendation for exercising.

If you are looking for a low diet plan that is healthy, Make sure that it contains most of the things that I mentioned above. Don’t starve yourself for anything and whatever your goal is, Make sure your body gets enough nutrients. A good example of low diet plan foods include high fiber foods such as whole wheat bread, vegetables, fruits, low carbohydrate foods and drinking water in stead of milk or juice. Consider fat free products like low fat milk, low fat yogurt and sugar free dressings. These are just examples and these kind of foods are unlimited.

You have plenty of choice in these foods and One thing that I wanted to recommend is that you get a healthy diet plan that has a menu of choices to select your foods from. Some of these low diet plans can be found online and they should be affordable. Avoid diet plans that cost hundreds of dollars because you don’t need to spend that much for any of these. Check out my article on the link below for a low carb diet plan menu.

Dr. Sears, who has studied lipids and its role in the development of chronic diseases in then body, conceptualized the diet after the death of his father due to a heart attack in 1970. But the concept was still raw, not until 1982 when Nobel Prize jury gave a research grant to the study of the relationship of hormones called eicosanoids and the development of certain set of diseases that include diabetes, heart problem and even cancer.

In 1995, the doctor completed his research and compiled it in a book entitled, “Enter The Zone.” It became an international bestseller, topping lists worldwide. To date, it has sold more than four million copies. The book was so successful that Dr. Sears published 10 more books about the subject.

Despite this, critics still point out that the theory has not much merit as there are no scientific evidence about it. Although the zone diet is indeed effective in reducing the pounds. Some in fact continue to lose 1.5 pounds every week. There have even been people who have not lost any pounds with other diets but have lost with the zone diet.

The diet encourages the consumption of grilled meats, a lot of fruits and of course veggies. People who are under the program will have some meals that are composed of one slice of meat and two-thirds fruits and veggies. The diet is primarily composed of 40 percent carbohydrate, 30 percent protein and 30 percent fats in the form of monosaturated fats such as those found in fruits such as avocado, guacamole and macadamia nuts.

Carbohydrates are taken in through fruits, veggies and whole grains. Sometimes pasta, rice and breads are permitted but only small portions. The protein on the other hand are taken in through lean cuts of meat and poultry such as chicken and turkey. Fishes may also be eaten as well as soy products.