What Kind of Food Do You Eat on The South Beach Diet?

The South Beach Diet is a type of low carbohydrate (“low carb”) diet for weight loss based on the book "The South Beach Diet: The Delicious, Doctor-Designed, Foolproof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss," by cardiologist Arthur Agatston, MD The diet focuses on eating more protein and healthy fats and limiting carbohydrates to help the body burn fat.

The South Beach Diet involves three phases. 

• Phase 1
  • This phase lasts just 2 weeks and involves cutting almost all carbohydrates from the diet, including grains such as breads and pasta, rice, and fruit. Avoid alcohol. 
  • This phase is designed to eliminate cravings for sugar and carbohydrates.  
  • Foods to eat during phase 1 include:
    • Lean protein such as skinless poultry, fish and shellfish, lean beef such as sirloin and tenderloin, eggs (in moderation), and soy products such as tofu
    • High fiber vegetables
    • Low fat dairy products
    • Foods that contain healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, and avocado
• Phase 2 
  • Dieters can add some foods back into the diet.
  • This phase is maintained until the goal weight is reached. 
  • Foods to eat during phase 2 include:
    • Foods from phase 1
    • Whole grains including whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, barley, quinoa
    • Beans
    • Some fruits
    • More vegetables such as corn, beets, carrots, and potatoes
• Phase 3
  • This is a maintenance phase and all foods can be eaten in moderation. 

Much of the South Beach Diet now involves pre-packaged foods and meal plans that are supplemented with some foods dieters prepare on their own.