South Beach Diet: Discontinuing The Plan Safely And Effectively

The South Beach Diet is a low-carb diet designed to help people lose weight and keep it off. It was created by cardiologist Arthur Agatston in the 1990s to combat heart disease. The diet has three phases: the first is a 14-day period where fruit, grains and other high-carb foods are eliminated to decrease blood sugar and insulin levels; the second phase focuses on slower weight loss and reintroduces carbohydrates; and the third is a maintenance phase where no foods are off-limits. The diet has been criticised for being overly restrictive, but it has also been credited with producing rapid weight loss without hunger.

How to cancel your South Beach Diet subscription

To cancel your South Beach Diet subscription, you will need to call their customer support phone number as you cannot cancel your subscription online. Their customer support phone number is 800-536-6922.

Before calling, make sure you have basic account information to hand, such as your email address, phone number, etc. The representative will ask you some basic questions, such as why you are cancelling and whether you hit your weight loss goal.

If you signed up for the South Beach Diet at a discounted rate and took advantage of their free FedEx shipping offer, then you are likely enrolled in auto-delivery. This means that if you cancel before your second month's food has been shipped out, you will be charged a fee, usually around $100. If you have been on the plan for two months or longer, you should not have to pay this fee.

To avoid paying an early cancellation fee, you can switch your second month's order to bars and shakes, which costs less than their full meal plan. You will still have to pay for the bars and shakes, but you will not be charged a cancellation fee. Once you receive this order, call the customer service number to cancel any future shipments.

What to eat during the first phase of the South Beach Diet

Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet is the most restrictive phase, lasting for 14 days. During this phase, you eliminate bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, baked goods, sugar, fruit, and most carbs. Instead, you eat protein, vegetables, eggs, cheese, nuts, and olive oil. Alcohol is not permitted, and you should only drink water, coffee, and tea.

• Lean meats and poultry
• Non-starchy vegetables
• Seafood
• Eggs
• Soy products
• Beans
• Nuts
• Dairy
• Healthy fats (e.g. olive oil, avocado)
• Fatty cuts of meat
• Starchy vegetables (e.g. potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn)
• Grains and starches (e.g. bread, crackers, chips, pasta, rice)
• Alcohol
• Sugar-sweetened beverages
• Desserts

What to eat during the second phase of the South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet is a lower-carb diet that has been credited with producing rapid weight loss without hunger, while also promoting heart health. It was created in the mid-1990s by Dr. Arthur Agatston, a Florida-based cardiologist, and has three phases.

The second phase of the South Beach Diet focuses on slower weight loss. You gradually reintroduce carbohydrates to your diet, with a particular emphasis on healthier carbs like whole grains and fruits. The consumption of wine is permitted during the second phase. This phase lasts until you hit your target weight.

During the second phase, you can eat everything that was allowed during the first phase, plus:

• Limited portions of fruit
• "Good carbs", such as whole grains and certain types of alcohol
• Breakfast: Quick and easy peanut butter oatmeal
• Snack: 1 cup cucumber slices with 1/4 cup hummus
• Lunch: Apple-walnut chicken salad
• Snack: Cottage cheese with cherry tomatoes
• Dinner: Pork fajitas with 1/3 cup guacamole

What to eat during the third phase of the South Beach Diet

The third phase of the South Beach Diet is all about weight maintenance. By this stage, you would have achieved your goal weight and can now focus on maintaining your weight loss.

During this phase, you can generally eat the foods you were eating in phase 2, but with a few differences. You can now eat up to three servings of fruit and four servings of whole grains and starchy vegetables per day. You can also have an occasional alcoholic drink, but only light beer or dry wine.

You can also include "treat" foods occasionally, as nothing is truly off-limits. However, if you start to gain weight, Dr. Agatston recommends returning to phase 1 for one to two weeks before returning to phase 3.

• Fresh and frozen fruits, except dates, figs, pineapple, raisins and watermelon. A serving size is one small piece of fruit, half a grapefruit, or 3/4 cup of berries, cherries or grapes.
• Sweet potatoes and yams
• Whole-grain hot and cold cereal
• Whole-grain pasta, quinoa, couscous or farro
• Popcorn, limited to 3 cups
• Whole-grain bagel or pita bread, limited to 1/2 a serving
• Corn or whole-grain tortilla, limited to 1 small
• Light beer or dry wine
• Light coconut milk, limited to 1/4 cup
• Cream, whole milk or half-and-half, limited to 1 tablespoon
• Light sour cream or cream cheese, limited to 2 tablespoons
• Light whipped topping, limited to 2 tablespoons

Pros and cons of the South Beach Diet

Pros of the South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet can be a healthy and well-rounded choice, except for its first phase, which restricts carbohydrate intake. Here are some pros of the South Beach Diet:

• Simple and convenient: There is no need to count calories or measure portions. The diet also offers a keto-friendly version, which is less restrictive than a typical keto diet.
• Low in saturated fat: The diet is low in saturated fats and encourages the consumption of heart-healthy unsaturated fats from sources like nuts, seeds, and avocados.
• Encourages experimentation: The diet encourages people to pay attention to how different foods affect their bodies and energy levels.
• May prevent food cravings: By reducing the intake of refined carbohydrates, the diet may help stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce cravings.
• Allows carbohydrates: Unlike other diets, the South Beach Diet encourages the consumption of complex carbohydrates, such as beans, whole grains, and starchy vegetables, which help prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes.
• Emphasizes healthy eating patterns: The diet emphasizes the importance of creating and maintaining a healthy eating pattern that includes a variety of nutrient-dense foods, such as vegetables, fruits, grains, protein foods, dairy products, and oils.

Cons of the South Beach Diet

However, there are also some cons to the South Beach Diet, especially during its restrictive first phase:

• Restrictive first phase: The first phase may be challenging as it involves eliminating addictive foods like sugar and alcohol, which can result in physical withdrawal symptoms.
• Relies on the glycemic index: The diet uses the glycemic index to rank carbohydrates based on their effect on blood sugar levels. However, the glycemic index has limitations as a food's value can change depending on ripeness, cooking method, and other factors.
• Not enough structure: Some people may find there is not enough guidance when it comes to adding carbohydrates back into their diet.
• May contribute to disordered eating: The focus on "good" and "bad" foods may lead to food fear and a strained relationship with food.
• Potential calcium deficiency: Some experts note that the diet may not provide enough calcium, which is important for bone health, especially for women.
• Lack of portion control: There are no specific recommendations for portions, which could lead to overeating or undereating.

Frequently asked questions