Diet Analysis, Article Review Example

The South Beach Diet is a diet program and plan that emphasizes quick weight loss and the reduction of cravings in the first phase, goal weight optimization in the second phase, and maintenance of weight loss goals in the third phase (South Beach Diet). This diet has a number of strengths, including the ability to lose weight quickly in the first phase, followed by a comprehensive maintenance plan that includes recipes and other suggestions for food consumption. At the same time, this diet only allows minimal carbohydrates during the first phase, which may lead to blood sugar imbalances after a period of time. A diet that promotes no or very limited carbohydrates is challenging because after this phase is over and carbohydrates are returned to the diet, it becomes very difficult to maintain the same level of weight loss, and during the maintenance phase (Phase 3), weight gain may occur when regular foods are eaten, even in healthier versions.

In some ways, the South Beach Diet serves as a good jumpstart for any diet plan because it supports rapid weight loss in the first phase and then leads to a more gradual approach in the other phases. However, eliminating carbohydrates from any diet is unhealthy even for a short period of time and should not be recommended as a primary nutrition plan. Therefore, it is important to perhaps use some of the food recommendations and recipes from this diet plan but it is not recommended for long-term use or as the only diet plan to consider. A more balanced approach must be identified which combines all types of nutrients, including carbohydrates, to create a permanent solution to achieve greater weight loss.

Works Cited

The South Beach Diet, 2013. What is the South Beach Diet? 4 April 2013: http://www.southbeachdiet.com/diet/about